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Review: Lindsay Brin Shed 5 Fast DVD

Pamela — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:53:17 +0000

As a mom – I of course am constantly fighting those few pounds that get added with each child. So for me, with three boys, I am fighting more like 15 (or 30 but whose nitpicking, right?). As soon as I read the description for this workout DVD I was on board. The thing that grabbed me right off is that it is an attainable goal. I have talked to all before about setting attainable goals – like 5 pounds in a few weeks – to be more successful. The huge astronomical goals are never going to happen because you will always feel as though it is too much and give up. But if you set smaller manageable goals you are more apt to reach them. You can read more about that concept in my article,

My Review

Back to the DVD, which was a real butt-kicker!! But in an absolutely awesome way! I was totally impressed by the fun and intense get to it vibe Lindsay puts on film. Sometimes when you watch a workout video you just don’t want to do. All you see is a bunch of hard bodies bouncing around with endless energy. These gals are definitely in great shape, but they look like normal people, which is encouraging. I also like the variations offered, for people at different skill levels. As an aerobics instructor, I always like to include different levels for people not just of different ability but different moods on a particular day. Because let’s face, even if you are able to drag yourself to the gym and show up doesn’t mean you have the energy to give it 1000% every single time. It is okay to just go through the motions every once in a while. In this sort of situation it is more important to just keep the workout time in your routine, then to overwork yourself.

All in all, I really enjoyed this video and think it would be a great addition to any woman’s workout DVD Library. Lindsay has very graciously agreed to offer each of you 20% off your own purchase of the Lindsay Brin Shed 5 Fast DVD. Simply click the coupon and you are on your way!

Product Description

Workout 1
Warm-up: 3 minutes
3/3 Intervals: 24 minutes
Cool-down: 3 minutes

Workout 2
Warm-up: 3 minutes
3/3 Intervals: 24 minutes
Cool-down: 3 minutes

Did five extra pounds sneak up on you in your busy life? Lose 5 pounds fast with Lindsay’s Weight Loss methods. These two total-body workouts balance toning exercises with bursts of energetic cardio for maximum fat burning in only 30 minutes. This interval training is the most efficient way to burn calories, and two different workouts ensure you won’t hit a plateau during the six week program.

You’ll lose five pounds or more in just the first three weeks with this Weight Loss fitness DVD! Lindsay Brin uses the 3/3 interval method for the most effective fat burning workout – 3 minutes of toning using multiple muscle groups to boost metabolism, and 3 minutes of martial arts/kickboxing to melt fat in exercises that are simple and effective. Follow your level- beginner, intermediate or advanced, or step up your program to advanced as you start to see results.

To lose 5 pounds even faster make sure you use Moms Into Fitness Weight Loss Plan in addition to the Shed 5 Fast Workouts. Also found on our home page.
Equipment needed:
1-2 sets of weights, optional mat

Disclaimer: I did recieve my own copy of this DVD from Lindsay Brin in conjunction with MamaBuzz, but I was in no other way compenstated to publish this post. These are real and honest opinions.

Cookbook Review: The $5 Dinner Mom

Lorie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:38:11 +0000

Do you think feeding your family well and staying on budget is even possible? Are you having a hard time coming up with ideas for dinners for your family? Well, I have found the cure for you, The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook.

Creation of $5 Dinner Mom

The $5 Dinner Mom is Erin Chase. I have enjoyed reading her blog since its inception. The blog started when the country was going through a recession and the cost of food was at an all time high. My family was no different and we were also having problems finding enough money to buy food. I started reading Erin’s blog and found a wealth of information. Erin, like many other bloggers today, started putting her ideas down and wrote a cookbook known as The $5 Dinner Mom.

Inside The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook

The $5 Dinner Mom has 200 recipes for quick, easy, healthy and budget friendly meal ideas that cost less than $5 a meal. The cookbook starts out with three whole chapters on Strategic Grocery Shopping, Strategic Couponing, and Strategic Meal Planning. Erin packs in all the information and tips that she has learned in her own experience of trying to feed her family healthy, budget friendly meals. I really enjoyed these chapters. It was like talking with a good friend who was sharing tips. The rest of the cookbook is broken down into several chapters of recipes for different food categories including; Pasta and Pizza, Chicken and Turkey, Beef, Pork, Soups and Stews, and Vegetarian. The last chapter is devoted to homemade recipes like dressings, sauces and breads. Many of these recipes are used in other recipes found in the cookbook. The recipes all contain price breakdowns by ingredients, which is very helpful for planning your own recipes. At the end of each recipe is a frugal fact that will help you and your family save money in the grocery store as well as time saving meal preparation tips. The really neat thing about the recipes is that they are an entire meal in one recipe and again all are $5 or less.

Testing $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook Recipes

I decided to review this cookbook so I really needed to test some of the recipes. The first recipe we tried was the Potato Pizza Pie on page 248. I think that the main reason I decided to try this recipe was because the picture in the book looked so yummy. I never really realized it was a recipe from the vegetarian chapter. This recipe was really interesting because it showed a different way to use potatoes. I had a lot on-hand that needed to be used so it made it a perfect choice for me. This recipe also uses the homemade pizza sauce found in the homemade chapter. Making your own sauces can really save you some money! According to the recipe, the total cost was $4.34. I had everything on-hand except the carrots, so this meal was pretty inexpensive to make. The Pizza Pie tasted a lot like pizza and was liked by the whole family. I also liked that her bread recipes included bread machine instructions.

$5 Dinner Mom Blog

You should check out Erin’s blog($5 Dinners), it is full of information on how to save money on healthy family meals, and she has lots of recipes. Most of the recipes in the cookbook are not listed on her blog so you need to buy the cookbook to get those recipes.

How Can I Get $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook?

I received a cookbook to review, but was not compensated for writing a review of the book by the author or publisher. If you are interested in buying a cookbook for yourself, you can find it on Amazon for $10.19, at the time of this writing. I have found the cookbook very helpful for my family and I hope each of you get the chance to check it out to help your family eat healthy, easy, budget friendly dinners.

Machine Washable Kids Shoes from Pediped (Giveaway)

Rachel — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:55:58 +0000

My boys are talented. They can make a brand new pair of shoes look like something we pulled out of the dumpster in a matter of minutes. I once tried to salvage a pair by throwing it in the washing machine. It didn’t end well and my oldest son has never let me live it down. He lives in fear that I’m going to try and wash a pair of his favorite shoes again. Unfortunately, without washing, shoes don’t last long around our house.

Pediped has released a great new line of shoes that not only uses DRYZ technology to control moisture and limit odor, but they are machine washable too. My 4 year old, the most notorious of all shoe wearers in our house has been working his hardest to get a pair of Joel shoes dirty over the last few weeks. This style has been great for my son because even though it’s structured more like a tennis shoe, which makes it easy to run in, it lets a lot of air through and doesn’t require socks (perfect for the boy who can never find a matching pair).

Our Pediped Joel shoes have been to the county fair and walked through who knows what while learning how to brush a horse. They’ve been to the beach, both in and out of the water. They’ve ridden scooters and walked through amusement parks.

While I’d love to say they are filthy enough that only washing will save them – I can’t. The things still look brand new. All the dirt, and sand, and sticky food just seems to fall off them and there’s no noticeable smell thanks to the DRYZ technology.

But, I’m going to wash them anyway because I want to see if they’ll survive the process.

Are Pediped Shoes Machine Washable?

Here are the Joel shoes before washing. They are in pretty good shape, especially considering all the abuse they’ve taken. The rubber in the front is coming away every so slightly but that is because they’ve been dragged while riding a scooter. Few shoes can survive that intact.

After washing? They actually look pretty good. There’s no fraying along the edges like you typically see after washing shoes in the washing machine. The rubber on the front that my son scrapped a bit didn’t pull away any further like I was worried it would. The color of the rubber on the bottom is bright and looks just like new. Notice I did take the insoles out before washing according to Pediped’s instructions. I’m guessing I can wipe those down with a wet rag to clean them up a bit.

These are still drying but they look like they’ve come through the wash just fine.

Pediped doesn’t recommend washing them any more than necessary but it is a nice option when you need to refresh a pair of shoes.

Enter to Win

Enter to win a pair of Pediped Shoes (companies choice of style)

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end on August 3, 2010.

Comment on this post to enter.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given a pair of Pediped shoes to review free of charge, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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Perfectly Prepared: Prenatal Yoga DVD Giveaway

Marie — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:51:02 +0000

When I first told my mom that my husband and I would not be taking any child birthing classes to prepare for the baby, she acted like I was from an alternate universe. I tried to explain that with all the DVDS and other information sources that are available these days, we just didn’t see the need.

What I should have done is told her about the Perfectly Prepared: Prenatal Birthing & Fitness DVD/CD set from MyBirthClass and I guarantee she would have seen my reasoning. This 8-disc set features everything parents-to-be need to know about prenatal birthing, fitness and even post partum recovery.

Created by Becky Rasmussen, a Certified Child Birth Educator (CBE) and mother of seven, this extensive series includes DVDS that cover Prenatal Yoga, Prenatal Cardio, Prenatal Toning and All about Labor. Perfectly Prepared also includes Audio CDs that dive into Prenatal Nutrition, Relaxation & Pain Management, Common Concerns & Solutions and Postpartum Recovery.

Everything is broken down nicely in this 8-disc set so you can watch and/or listen on your own time, at your own pace. I especially loved the Postpartum Recovery CD since I’m a week out from my due date, and that has been on my mind a lot lately. On this disc, Becky takes you through all the things you should expect once you’ve delivered your precious baby. Topics include what happens to your body, mood swings, how to stay healthy after labor, and more.

The series also provides information on both natural and medically supported birthing techniques so you can make an informed decision.

The fitness DVDS look easy to follow; but honestly at nine months along I am having enough trouble getting off the couch, let alone trying to do an entire workout. I wish I had known about these DVDS earlier on in the pregnancy – especially Prenatal Toning.

So if you are looking for an alternative to a child birthing class, I would definitely recommend picking up Perfectly Prepared: Prenatal Birthing & Fitness. This all-encompassing set will not only help you prepare for child birth, but also educate you about the process, help you make informed decisions, keep you healthy, and let you know what to expect post partum.

Enter to Win

Enter to win prenatal yoga DVD from MyBirthclass.

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end on July 1, 2010.

Visit MyBirthclass.com and make a comment on this post about why you think childbirth education is important to enter the giveaway.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given a set of Perfectly Prepared to review free of charge, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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Scientific Explorer Pizza Science Kit Giveaway

Rachel — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:09:34 +0000

Dinner time always requires a bit of creativity if kids are involved. I don’t have overly picky eaters but I do have kids who will flat out refuse to eat something if it is repeated more than twice a month. While I love the fact that they want variety in their lives, it certainly complicates my menu planning. We decided to try something new to help the kids be more involved in our dinner process and to help me simplify my life. Each child “owns” a night of the week that they can choose what we have for dinner. They love it. My two oldest sons are constantly on the lookout for fun things they want to try for their dinner night so they were thrilled to test out the Pizza Science Kit from Scientific Explorer. This fun kit provides nearly everything you need to make a pizza dinner (thin, pan, and regular crust) as well as fun activities that turn the process of cooking dinner into a food adventure.

What Does Yeast Do?

I regularly make my own bread so my children know what the process looks like but since they generally only help me with the final kneading, I found that they didn’t understand what yeast was or what it did. The Pizza Activity Kit from Scientific Explorer started with a great little activity that visually demonstrate what yeast does in bread and pizza dough.

You can tell it was a big hit. My kids were so amazed that yeast had the ability to blow up a balloon that they refused to let it be thrown away for days. The balloon stayed blown up until the very end. The yeast experiment was a great way to start off our pizza making adventure and really made my kids think about the science that was involved in making one of their favorite foods.

Our Yeast in Action:

Turning Dinner Time into a Pretend Play Activity

The Pizza Science Kit contains a variety of activities but it goes beyond science by including pretend play activities. This makes it appealing for a huge variety of ages. My 2 year old, 4 year old, and 6 year old were all kept busy opening their own pizzaria. If you are ever in town and need a good pizza place, my 6 year old makes a mean taco, BBQ sauce, and pepperoni pizza. The pretend play activities really brought an element of fun to our meal preparation and balanced out the science kit nicely.

Bring Kids into the Kitchen

We all know how important it is to bring kids into the kitchen but life gets busy and the sad fact is, it’s hard to slow down sometimes and take the time to include kids in meal preparation. I loved how easy the Pizza Science Kit made it to include my kids in meal preparation. Truthfully, it made me feel like I was multi-tasking because I knew they were learning some great science concepts at the same time. I have an easier time taking things slow if I feel like I’m getting 2 things done at once.

The kit comes with trays to make 3 different types of pizzas plus another tray for a dessert pizza that we haven’t made yet. It worked out perfectly for us because each of my kids made their own unique pizza combination. My 6 year old helps me in the kitchen quite a bit so he had fun teaching his younger siblings how to wash their hands before cooking and how to build their pizza.

Enter to Win

Enter to win a Pizza Science Kit from Scientific Explorer

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end on June 21, 2010.

Share your favorite pizza toppings with us by commenting on this post to enter.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given a Pizza Science Kit from Scientific Explorer to review free of charge, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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Lego Construct a Buzz Giveaway

Rachel — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:12:14 +0000

We rarely go to the movies together as a family but for Toy Story 3 we are making an exception. The Toy Story movies are some of my all time favorite children’s movies and my kids adore them. There was a time when Toy Story had a permanent home in our DVD player. To this day, I think my kids – at least partially – think that their toys come alive when they aren’t looking.

We are big fans of Legoland and since moving to San Diego we’ve been taking full advantage of our season passes. My kids have been eyeing the Toy Story Legos that started to pop up in the gift shop window several months ago and we all agreed that the alien minifigs may just be the cutest thing ever.

Lego’s Toy Story Construct a Buzz has the same great quality that you expect from Lego. My 6 year old was able to build this without help and has had a blast using his other Legos to construct obstacles for Buzz to climb over, stand on, and crash through. Buzz must be exhausted.

I was impressed by how reasonable the price of the Construct a Buzz is – only $24.99. That’s still in my birthday gift budget range and includes a great building activity and a toy for pretend play afterwards. We’re gearing up to watch the movie this weekend and I’m sure this toy is going to get plenty of play time before and after.

Enter to Win

Enter to win a Lego Construct a Buzz

This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end on June 21, 2010.

Comment on this post to enter.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given a Lego Construct a Buzz to review free of charge, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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EcoAquarium from Wild Creations (Giveaway)

Rachel — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:52:08 +0000

Congrats to Susan Smoaks!

I’ve always loved frogs. They amused me. If I could find a picture of my high school car (aka. “the frog car”) you’d laugh at the fact that I had a green car with frog stickers all over the back of it. Unfortunately, I’m not joking. My 4 year old is obsessed with ducks. Apparently strange obsessions are genetic. My friends bought me a pet frog when I was in high school thinking it would be the perfect gift for me. I LOVED it. Then I realized, “hey, frogs eat bugs.” I think I fed the frog twice before handing it over to my brothers for some unknown method of torture that I’d prefer to stay in the dark about.

We used to have a creek in our backyard and every summer we’d go hunting for fish eggs and put them in an aquarium in our basement so we could watch the tiny tadpoles hatch then develop into frogs. I’ve always wanted my kids to have the same experience but I had a hard time finding a company who would ship tadpoles to Utah for some reason. Now that we’ve moved to California and could actually order tadpoles, I’ve discovered something cooler – frogs minus the bugs.

The EcoAquarium from Wild Creations is absolutely perfect if your kids want a pet but are too young to take care of one. Everything arrives in the mail and it’s so simple to put the aquarium together. You layer what they call “living gravel” and colored gravel (just to make the whole thing look pretty), add a bamboo plant, put your frogs in and close the whole thing up. Once set up, the aquarium has everything it needs to create a complete ecosystem and doesn’t require any care, other than feeding twice a week and changing out the water every few months (now that sounds like a job for my husband to do).

The best part of the whole thing is you don’t even have to open the aquarium to feed the frogs. The frogs eat tiny pellets of food (probably made up of ground up bugs or something but I don’t like to think about that too much) and there is a tiny hole on the top of the aquarium that is just big enough for kids to push a tiny pellet of food through but not big enough that they can try and share their toys (hey, I once gave my hamster doll furniture which she thought was food). It’s so easy to do and my kids love taking turns feeding the frogs. You don’t get to watch these frogs develop from tadpoles but they are cute little things that stay pretty active in their little square world.

A word of caution – you should probably follow the directions. We followed the directions at first. Then my husband decided it would be funny to put a tiny yoda figure in the aquarium (a figure that came out of another frog kit that I can’t make myself order because those frogs DO eat buts). The frogs ignored it for the most part, but we woke up one morning to discover that one frog had battled to the death with yoda. The force, apparently, was not with either of them.

We had an “I-told-you-so” moment, replaced part of the water to try and get rid of anything strange that had washed off yoda and the remaining frog is now swimming happily – a bit too happily. Part of me wonders if he was in on it.

My kids, creative as always, have named the frogs “Ri” and “bit”. They had to carry on their theme from our Insect Lore butterfly Kit when they spit the butterflies into two groups, named half “butter” and the other half “fly”. I could make a bad joke about how “bit”, you know, bit the dust but then it would just be obvious that I’m blogging on a Saturday night. Since I already let that little detail slip, I guess it’s safe to tell you that I’ve been laughing for the last 10 minutes at the great title of the Wild Creations blog. . . wait for it. . . . It’s called, The Frog Blog.

The EcoAquarium really is one of the coolest live animal kits I’ve seen in a while. The simple design looks nice set up in my kids’ bedroom and it is small enough that you can really fit it just about anywhere. I wasn’t expecting it to be nearly as small as it is and I love that it doesn’t take up much space.

Enter to Win

Enter to win a Classic EcoAquarium Starter Kit. This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end on June 18, 2010.

This giveaway is now closed.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given an EcoAquarium to review free of charge, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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Eating Healthy on the Go

Rachel — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:06:41 +0000

I’ve been really luck with my kids because they aren’t overly picky eaters. Sure they have their moments and like any kids they’ve had weeks where all they would eat was mac and cheese, but for the most part they’re willing to try new things and they enjoy eating fresh foods. We really struggle when it comes to eating out though because most fast food places and restaurants have the same menu. I think they must have all gotten together and decided that all they have to serve kids is pizza, Kraft mac and cheese, and chicken nuggets. The problem with this, is while my kids will eat healthy foods at home, they expect pizza, mac and cheese, and chicken nuggets when we go out to eat. It’s frustrating as parent because I know that if given the chance, they would take advantage of the times they eat out and use it as a way to try new foods rather than stick with the same unhealthy choices.

Healthy Dining at Noodles & Company

I’ve been happy to see that a few restaurants are branching out and offering healthier choices to kids (although, lets face it, if given the choice between the same container of mandarin oranges that kids have at home and french fries they are going to go for the fries). Noodles & Company has been one of our family favorites for years because although they do offer the standard choice of mac and cheese, their mac and cheese is in no way standard. While mac and cheese is a higher fat option, it is the ultimate comfort food and I have a hard time turning it down most of the time.

Noodles & Company has a great new dish that includes plenty of veggies and is a healthy option when eating out. Their new Asparagus and Lemon Linguine has a wonderful fresh taste that is perfect for spring. The noodles are made from hard amber durum wheat so you can indulge relatively guilt free and the inclusion of snap peas, red onions, and mushrooms, topped with a generous helping of feta cheese makes this dish absolutely delicious.

I’m a hard core fan of the Pad Thai at Noodles & Company but the Asparagus and Lemon Linguine may win out on a few visits.

My 4 year old happens to love asparagus so even though he wasn’t a fan of the mushrooms in the dish, he happily picked out over half of my asparagus. Noodles does allow you to add asparagus to any dish for only $1.25. I wonder if my 4 year old would go for asparagus mac and cheese since that combines his two absolute favorite foods in the world. I’ve honestly never thought of putting them together before but I put fresh peas in my mac and cheese all the time so I suppose it wouldn’t be much different.

Make Healthy Substitutions

Eating out is generally includes fairly high fat food options and large portion sizes. I try and make at least one healthy substitution every time I eat out. Most restaurants will allow you to substitute veggies for french fries or grilled chicken for fried. Look over the menu for healthy substitutions and if you don’t see any, ask your waiter or cashier. It does take some will power to avoid the higher fat alternative but it can make a huge difference in the overall fat content of your meal.

Eat Smaller Portion Sizes when Eating Out

Restaurant and fast food portions are enormous. I find when I eat out frequently that I can actually train myself to eat more food, which is really extra calories that I do not need. Try splitting a menu item with a friend or taking half of it home for another meal or as a snack if you have a smaller serving left. Some restaurants will allow you to order a lunch portion any time of the day, which is not only a healthier portion size but it can save you money too.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Noodles & Company and received five Noodles & Company bowl cards to facilitate my review. Mom Central also sent me a thank-you gift certificate.”

XO Skins Giveaway

Rachel — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:33:40 +0000

“Mommy! I flushed your iPhone!” These are words that no parent wants to ever hear. While is no way to protect your gadgets from every harmful act that children can conceive, there are ways to protect them from day-to-day routine abuse.

Recently, I, like a million other Americans, bought an Apple iPad, and I want to protect it from myself and my children.

Gadgets today are getting progressively larger and larger screens. These screens can easily be damaged creating an annoyance every time you use the device and often making it difficult to read in sunlight. In the case of the iPad, it is 9.7” of screen used for high-resolution graphics, pictures and movies. Protecting this screen quickly became a top priority.

Options to Protect Electronics

With that in mind, I explored the options. There are numerous cases on the market that are designed not only to protect the screen but the entire body of the iPad. The problem is that all of these cases require the screen cover to be removed in order to use the device, leaving it unprotected during use or if you forget to replace it after use. These options often prevent the iPad from being used with certain accessories such as the iPad dock.

The next option is probably one of the most popular for protecting the screen and using accessories. Place a clear film over the screen to protect it. I chose a film from XO Skins. They claim that their film is strong enough to stand up to a Dremel and that the same technology protects planes from airborne debris. I figured if it is used for those purposes, it might stand up against my three boys and my own clumsiness.

XO Skins Installation

When the film arrived, it was easy to install. It is a wet application meaning that a spray is used to apply the film. The spray enables the film to slide around once it touches the device before drying and adhering more securely. This worked quite well on the iPad. I can see how a dry application would be very difficult with a sheet of film that was almost the size of an 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper. Once I placed it correctly, I simply had to squeegee out the solution for it to adhere.

XO Skins was kind enough to send their full body kit which not only included the screen protector but also covered the back and sides. I was particularly concerned with the capability of the film to match the curvature of the back. My fears quickly dissipated as it fit perfectly and was even cut out around the Apple logo.

The sides were a little more difficult. The sides of the iPad are only ½” thick but up to 9½” inches long. Theses sides are also where all of the ports, speaker holes, and buttons are housed (the 3G version also has the Micro-Sim slot on the side as well). Initially, I tried the same wet application process as the front and back only to realize later that XO Skins suggests applying small pieces dry. The problem is that they don’t fully become immovable until the solution dries. They kept sliding off while I was applying the other sides. This also made it very difficult to get them perfectly straight. I would definitely agree that applying the sides dry is the way to go.

Durability

I was told by Jason at XO Skins that their material is like a “gummy bear”. If you damage it, it fills back in over time. I’d like to say that I do not know if this actually works but a few days after the application my iPad fell onto the pavement as I unloaded all of the kid’s stuff from the car. I was devastated as it landed on one of sides. I thought it was certainly damaged. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the side skin had kept it from certain damage. There were a few indentions in the film which have since faded in the “gummy bear” fashion protecting most of the device. I am very pleased with the product.

Complaints

Probably my only complaint about the product is more with how the iPad accepts the film and would likely be true with any manufacturer. These same side pieces that did such a great job of protecting it in my mishap create a slight ridge due to the thickness of the film where the film meets the device. On most devices, I would anticipate that you would not notice but on a device as large and heavy as the iPad, it is fairly rough on the hands. For this reason alone, I would likely recommend another solution to protect the sides but admit that I was very glad they were on when I dropped my iPad.

Conclusion

I am quite happy with the XO Skin for iPad. The screen protector is very protective and even adds the benefit of making the screen less susceptible to fingerprint smudges. The back is nice to prevent scratches as well. The sides are great if you drop it and it lands on its side but are somewhat rough on the hands on an iPad.

I am certain that this product will do well to protect my iPad from my kids (and from myself) and apparently I am not alone. Recently, the Mac Specialist my local Best Buy told me that she buys XO Skins for all of her devices including her Mac Book. This struck me as another strong endorsement of the product given that Best Buy sells a competitor’s product. I would recommend this product if you are seeking to keep your gadgets safe and protected.

XO Skins Coupon Code

Use the code “busymommy2″ for $2 off any XOskin. XO Skins is currently offering 20% off store wide so this is a great deal.

Enter to Win

One winner will receive their choice of xoskin. This giveaway is open to the U.S. and will end on June 14, 2010

Comment on this post to be entered to win.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given a samples of XO SKins, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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HABA Ice-Cream Cone Sand Toys

Busy Dad — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:49:18 +0000

Congratulations to Stephanie Grant!

The unofficial start of summer occurred yesterday – Memorial Day. While some will argue that “officially” it does not occur for several more weeks, I would argue that with all the backyard BBQ’s and outdoor fun-in-the-sun activities, it certainly felt like the start of a wonderful summer season.

My family and I celebrated the holiday with a veteran’s memorial program and a day at the beach. This provided an excellent occasion for the children to review Haba’s latest sand toy – ice cream cones and scoops. I have to say that they were definitely a hit!

The concept of these sand toys is fairly straightforward. It is basically an ice cream cone and scoop made of durable plastic in an assortment of colors. This is a fun concept as kids love to be independent and serve themselves. This toy encourages pretend play by giving kids the opportunity to act out making their own food, which my 2 year old could have done for hours. My 6 year old also had lots of fun making what he called “sand cream cones”. Ice cream certainly goes hand in hand with summer fun and this is a great way to play with it in the summer sun.

Children have great imaginations. Sand provides them an excellent opportunity to come up with ideas much more creative than any adult could have dreamt up. Sometimes it is a sand castle with an accompanying store but often it is using toys in unique ways. This is what happened with these toys as well. Would you have thought to use an ice cream cone to make teeth for your sand shark? Or use the ice cream scoop to fling sand, lacrosse-style into the incoming waves.

Enter to Win

Enter to win a set of HABA ice-cream cone sand toys and scoops. This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and will end on June 14, 2010.

Giveaway Closed

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.

In compliance with the new FTC Guildlines, please note that this is a sponsored post. I was given a sample of HABA sand toys, however, I was not paid for the review and the opinions are my own.

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