Living the Green with White Cloud

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Recycling, clean choices, less chemicals. All these little things in our lives make us feel good about being "green". I know that I could do more, but the little things I do feel good. Always be on the lookout for what more you can do.

White Cloud is a paper product brand that you will find only at Walmart. They are helping us all be a little "greener" now. They have a line of toilet paper and paper towels, called GreenEarth, that are made from 100% recycled fibers. See what they have to offer on the White Cloud GreenEarth products page. They make a high quality product without compromising the product.

All of the GreenEarth products have a Forest Stewardship Council certification. So you know that you're going to get a product that is what it says it is. White Cloud makes buying greener products easier and you won't have to break the bank to do it. The White Cloud Pinterest page has a White Cloud “Living the Green” Pinterest board with lots of ideas to help you live the green life that you want.

What keeps you from going green? I like to recycle when I can. Another big one for me is to always use reusable cloth grocery bags when I go shopping. It's a little thing that can make a big difference. Times that it's harder to be green is when I have to spend more on the products that I need to do so. With White Cloud, I don't have to worry about that. How long have you been green? What ways do your children help your family "Living the Green"?

Right now you won't want to miss out on the contest White Cloud has going on. First follow White Cloud on Pinterest. Then create your own "Living Green" pinterest board. You need to repin one thing from the White Cloud "Living the Green" board and use the hashtag #LivingTheGreen in the pin's caption. Finally visit mywhitecloud.com/promotions and complete the sweepstakes entry form. See the Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations for all the details. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 4/30/13. Click here for Official Rules.

My Baby - 2 Weeks

Our sweet little Jonah is 2 weeks old now. He's already start to change a little. I think we're getting used to each other now. I am completely smitten with him. God has surely blessed our family with this baby.

Resource Spring Water

The product:

Resource® natural spring water. Resource is a 100% natural spring water with natural electrolytes for taste, sustainably sourced and packaged in a bottle made of 50% recycled plastic. Resource water is good for you and mindful of the Earth. With natural electrolytes for taste, its recycled bottle helps you keep nature in mind too. 

It is more than just hydration, it’s Total Electrolytenment™. Electrolytenment™ is about living a more enlightened and holistic life.

What I thought: Resource Spring Water is cool, clean and refreshing. I like the size of the bottles, and they are easy to keep in my fridge. Then I can take one as I'm headed out the door. I found this water to be very clean in taste. Some bottled waters have different tastes to me. I want something that is just pure. This was very pure, and I enjoyed it very much.

Where to buy: You can find Resource Spring Water in stores and online.

How to connect: Find Resource Water at http://www.resourcespringwater.com/. Click the image below to find Resource on Facebook.

*Disclaimer: Content and/or other value provided by our partner, resource natural spring water.*

Disney's PLANES

It may not come to theaters until August, but I'm already excited about Disney's new PLANES movie. Their animated movies are always great. We love the Cars movies here, and I think PLANES will be fun in a similar fashion. While we're waiting, here are some ways to learn more about the movie!

“Like” Disney’s PLANES on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DisneyPlanes

"Follow" Disney’s PLANES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the website: www.disney.com/Planes

Disney’s PLANES releases in theaters everywhere on August 9th!

---

DISNEY’S PLANES (In 3D)

DISNEY

Website: Disney.com/Planes

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyPlanes 

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Genre:                                      Animation/Adventure

Rating:                                      TBD

Release Date:                           August 9, 2013

Voice Cast:                               Dane Cook

Director:                                   Klay Hall          

Producer:                                  Traci Balthazor-Flynn

From above the world of “Cars” comes “Disney’s Planes,” an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. “Disney’s Planes” takes off in theaters on Aug. 9, 2013.

From above the world of “Cars,” “Disney’s Planes” is an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure about Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a plane whose high-flying dream gives a spellbound world the inspiration to soar.

OFFICIAL BOILERPLATE:

From above the world of “Cars” comes “Disney’s Planes,” an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure featuring Dusty (voice of Dane Cook), a plane with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. But Dusty’s not exactly built for racing—and he happens to be afraid of heights. So he turns to a seasoned naval aviator who helps Dusty qualify to take on the defending champ of the race circuit. Dusty’s courage is put to the ultimate test as he aims to reach heights he never dreamed possible, giving a spellbound world the inspiration to soar. “Disney’s Planes” takes off in theaters on Aug. 9, 2013. For more information, check out Disney.com/Planes, like us on Facebook:facebook.com/DisneyPlanes and follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures.

He's Here!

So sorry that I haven't had time to update my blog. I've been a wee bit busy.

Jonah Benjamin was born at 5:26PM on March 26th. He was 7 lbs 3 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

He is an adorable little baby. We can't get enough of him.

Sorry that I don't have any photos loaded on my computer yet to share. You'll just have to take my word for now that he is beautiful.

We are still in the hospital. He had been really healthy and well, then he developed jaundice. They chose to treat him under the bili lights for a day. We should be able to come home tonight as long as his numbers stay down. So far so good. Just seeing how he's doing out of the lights now. I'm glad he's back in a room with me now. We don't foresee any problems and should leave this afternoon with him.

I had a great delivery and can't wait to share about it. I was in a long labor, but when he decided to come...boy did he! It was a wild and crazy ride...that my OB didn't make it to!

But that's for another time. I'm feeling great and doing well. I haven't had any problems...unless you count my swollen stumps that I used to call feet/legs. Geesh!

That's the update for now. I'm sure I'll have more photos and things to share as we go.

MIA - baby prep

38 weeks

My blog has taken a back seat these past few months. But I'm not officially MIA (missing in action) yet. I'm still around, and for today still pregnant.

I have been feeling pretty well, but these last few months I think I'm in full-out nesting mode. It's been fun getting ready for baby, although my blogging obligations have fallen to the side for now. I am due next week, March 28th. I'm not sure at this point that I'll make it to my due date. A few minor things have happened in the last week that make me think my doctors will suggest induction soon. Only time will tell.

We're very excited and ready for baby's arrival. We just can't wait to meet him and kiss his little cheeks. :)

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I hope to be back to my normal reviews & awesome giveaways very soon! And of course I'll keep you updated and introduce you to our little one when he makes his arrival.

Johnette Downing "Reading Rocks!" CD

The product:
SINGING STORYTIME WITH A DASH OF LOUISIANA SPICE!

JOHNETTE DOWNING'S

READING ROCKS!

Award-Winning New Orleans Children's Musician & Author
Gets Kids Jazzed About Reading


"With her signature mix of Dixieland jazz, Cajun, Creole, and zydeco rhythms, Downing creates an irresistible musical jubilee."
-- Los Angeles Times

"Bonnie Raitt move over!  There's a new(er) blues belter in town.  And she's easy on the ears.  New Orleans singer-songwriter Johnette Downing has a velvet set of pipes, but instead of using them to sing of men who've done her wrong, she's belting out tunes about penguins and stingrays, crawfish and hermit crabs."
-- Education.com


NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, children's musician, and children's book authorJohnette Downing gets kids jazzed about reading with her 10th studio CD, Reading Rocks! (Wiggle Worm Records, $15.00, run time 49 minutes, for ages 2 – 8.)

Two years in the making, Reading Rocks! is Johnette Downing's first album to combine spoken word with music.  The CD interweaves readings from five of Johnette's beloved picture books, including her newest, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin (Pelican Publishing, fall 2012), with eleven lively songs that range in style from bluegrass to rock, as well as finger plays and limericks, all designed to motivate youngsters and reluctant readers to roll into the library and bop into books.

Johnette Downing, who brings a dash of "Louisiana Spice" to her concerts worldwide, has been praised by Gambit Weekly for "her ability to translate Louisiana music into mini=parties for her kid fans. In the great Louisiana tradition, Johnette sees her role not just as a performer, but as a spark to get her audiences up and dancing."   With ReadingRocks!, Johnette hopes to get kids up and reading, too!

Writing and performing music for children has been Johnette Downing's passion since 1990; the first of her ten CDs was recorded in 1992 and the first of her twelve children's books was published in 2006.  In addition to maintaining a full schedule as a performer and author, Johnette Downing is an educator who travels the world teaching parents and other educators how to use music to foster a love of reading. The very first tip she offers in her presentations is, "If you want your child to read, read."  This simple, but true, insight is at the heart of Reading Rocks!

Notes Johnette Downing, "My greatest musical influences come from having the good fortune to have been born and raised in Louisiana, the birthplace of jazz, Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco music.  These rich musical influences, along with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, are my muse, and have, in large part, inspired both my songwriting and my children's books."

Johnette Downing has won twenty-one national awards, including honors from Parents' Choice, NAPPA, iParenting Media, Parents' Guide to Children’s Media, Family Choice Awards, and Family Review Center.

Johnette's NAPPA-winning children's book, Today is Monday in Louisiana (Pelican Publishing), was praised for its "lip-smacking appeal" by Publishers Weekly. The Times-Picayune declared, "Readers will be salivating by the final page" and called Johnette's subsequent book, Down in Louisiana, "almost irresistible."  Pelican Publishing will release Johnette's newest book, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin, this fall.  Watch for a new Johnette Downing e-book, Colors of the Sky, coming soon, too!

# # #

READING ROCKS! TRACK LIST:
Reading Rocks!
Open a Book Finger Play
Today is Monday in Kentucky
Why the Oyster Has the Pearl
Oyster Limerick
R*E*A*D
Story Time
The Colors of the Sky
Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud
Reach Every Achievement Desired
There Once Was a Boy Named Cary
Read to Me
Principal's Desk
Why the Possum Has a Large Grin
Readers are Leaders
Today is Monday in New York
Do-do (Sleep) My Child

Check out Johnette's website at http://johnettedowning.com

What we thought: This CD is my son's newest love. I don't know what exactly he likes about it, but there is some big draw for him. Maybe it's the variety of music styles all in one CD. Maybe it's his love for reading being the content of this CD. Either way, he really enjoys it. It's one that we hear him playing in his CD player often. It's a great kid friendly and family friendly CD that will make a great addition to your CD collection.

Where to buy: You can order Reading Rocks CD by Johnette Downing on her website or Amazon.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Minute Rice- Minute Steamers #Giveaway (CLOSED)

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner listed below.

Need a quick addition to a meal? Or maybe you need some easy meal inspirations. We all need a little help from time to time, and this easy to fix solution will work for you.

The product: We all have busy times in our life. Sometimes getting a meal ready for dinner can be a hassle. MinuteRice's newest product, Minute Steamers (available in the frozen food aisle at your local Walmart), are the perfect addition to your family's dinner table. From freezer to plate in just four minutes, Steamers help make perfectly cooked rice a part of a well-rounded, affordable meal, making the back-to-school transition easy for you and your family.

Minute Steamers is available in seven different varieties, including: Whole Grain Brown Rice, White Rice and flavorful mixes such as Whole Grain Brown & Wild with Vegetables, Broccoli and Cheese Rice, Spanish Rice, Fried Rice and Macaroni and Cheese.

To help make mealtime even easier, Minute Steamers offers Four Ingredient Meals with Four-Minute Steamers, combining some of your favorite ingredients and kitchen staples with Steamers to create yummy, simple meals the whole family can enjoy.


South-of-the Border Turkey Dinner

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Minute Steamers Brown Rice
• 1 pound ground turkey, cooked and crumbled
• 1 can (11 ounces) southwestern corn blend
• 1 cup prepared salsa

Directions:

• Prepare rice according to package directions.
• In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine turkey, corn and salsa.
• Cook on HIGH 2 minutes.
• Stir in rice.

Tips:

• Add 1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese.
• Use as filling in tortillas and top with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes.
• Roll into burrito-sized tortillas and serve with sour cream.

What we thought: We tried the Minute Steamers Mac & Cheese. I fixed it as a side dish to go along with supper one night. Just a simple meat & veggies kind of night. It needed a little spicing up. The mac & cheese was so easy to make. I just put the bag straight from the freezer to the microwave. It only takes a few minutes and you have a fresh, hot side dish. We thought the mac & cheese was pretty good. Not the best mac & cheese I've had, but I'd rate it on the better end. It's something that we would definitely eat again.

The only draw back for us was the size. There really wasn't a lot in the bag. I would say it was about 2 adult size portions. We split it between 2 adults and 1 child (who eats like an adult), and it was a pretty small portion for each of us.

I also got a bag of the Fried Rice, but haven't had a chance to try it yet. It looks yummy. I could make it as a dinner side or maybe a quick, easy lunch for myself one day.

Where to buy: I had a hard time finding the Minute Steamers in my local grocery stores, but was able to get it at Walmart. It is available in these varieties now.

Prize: One winner will receive an assortment of  Minute Rice items such as a kitchen timer, reusable grocery tote, and potholders.

Giveaway: This giveaway is open until 12:01am EST on 2/19/13. It is open to US residents only.Please enter in the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Ice Breakers Duo Fruit & Cool

Fruity? Cool? Is is possible to have both in one? Of course, with Ice Breakers Due Fruit & Cool you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

The product: Ice Breakers Duo combines sweet fruity tastes with refreshing cool crystals. You can try both amazing flavors- Strawberry and Raspberry.

Which characteristic best fits your personality? Cool or fruity? You'll have to visit Ice Breakers Duo on Facebook to take the quiz. Are you "sweet as a puppy" or "cool as a cucumber"? While you're on their page, you can also check out the custom Ice Breakers Duo Pandora station. You can listen to music  vote on your favorite songs and "Duo" your profile picture by combining your sweet or cool side with a friend's.

What we thought: I don't like really strong minty things, so for me the Ice Breakers Duo Fruit & Cool are a perfect mix. I like the sweet fruity flavor, but the cool feels refreshing for my mouth too. I keep these in my purse all the time now. Both the strawberry and raspberry are great flavors with these too. My son really likes them as well. I have to be careful when I pass the container to him, because instead of taking just one he'll keep eating them. We prefer to teach him moderation.

Where to buy: You can find the Ice Breakers Duo in stores and online now.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse & Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray

The product: 

In celebration of New York Fashion Week, Rose Byrne attended Lucky Magazine’s party aboard the “M/Y Emelina” at the Marina at Chelsea Piers. John Frieda® International Creative Consultant Harry Josh gave Rose a yacht-worthy look – big, frizz-free glamorous waves.

         

To achieve this look at home:

STEP 1: First apply John Frieda® Frizz-Ease® Curl Reviver Styling Mousse evenly through towel-dried hair and brush to uniformly distribute product. This non-sticky, alcohol-free formula tames frizz, boosts shine and restores bounce to tired waves.

STEP 2: Next blow dry hair completely. Once dry, in small sections wrap hair vertically around a 1-inch curling iron like a tinsel and curl the hair away from the face – from the root to the ends. Break up the curls by running your fingers through them.

STEP 3:  To finish and set the look, mist hair with Frizz-Ease® Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hair Spray. It’s a fast-drying, shine boosting formula that lasts long and creates an instant barrier to help seal out humidity and combat frizz, rain or shine.

 

WHAT IT COSTS: Frizz-Ease® Curl Reviver Styling Mousse $5.99; Frizz-Ease® Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray $5.99

WHERE TO FIND IT: Food, drug and mass retailers nationwide

What I thought: With the weather we've been having lately, I need a Frizz Free hairstyle. The Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray is great for helping me get & keep the look I want. The weather won't make such a difference for my hair anymore.

Where to buy: You can find the Frizz-Ease Curl Reviver Styling Mousse and Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray in stores and online now.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

ChapStick Sport Ready & Raspberry Creme

It's hard enough dragging yourself to the gym, but when you don't have time to swing home after a workout session and have to head straight to work, or run errands, or even meet up with friends,  an emergency gym kit is essential. Help hydrate you’re thirsty pout with ChapStick®! ChapStick® is excited to debut ChapStick® Sport Ready, the newest product in the Active line by ChapStick®, and ChapStick® Raspberry Crème, the newest product in the Moisturizer line. When you are on the move, ChapStick® gives a fun twist on protection and hydration to keep lips happier and healthier. 

The product: 

ChapStick® Sport Ready

Designed with the Active consumer in mind, ChapStick® Sport Ready offers advanced, on-the-go hydration fit for any adventure. The perfect accessory for people on-the-move, ChapStick® Sport Ready has a clip top that keeps your ChapStick® right at your fingertips. Sure to be the perfect partner for any game under the sun … or on the slopes, ChapStick® Sport Ready has you covered with broad spectrum SPF 30 and water-resistant protection for up to 80 minutes! 

ChapStick® Sport Ready is part of the exclusive Active line, which also includes ChapStick® LipShield 365 and ChapStick® Ultra® 30.

ChapStick® Raspberry Crème

Satisfy a thirsty pout with new mouthwatering ChapStick® Raspberry Crème – made with 10 moisturizing ingredients and a luscious fruity flavor, lips will be left feeling soft and silky. ChapStick® Raspberry Crème delivers fruity hydration to your lips with ingredients like Aloe and Vitamin E and contains SPF 15 to protect from the sun’s UVB rays.

What I thought:  I am really impressed by the new Sport Ready ChapStick. First of all it comes in a neat container. It has a handy clip top, so you can keep it on your gym bag, jacket or even key chain. Then you'll have it wherever you might need it. The water resistance and sun protection are also a big plus for me. When you're exercising outside, you can quickly get sweaty so this will stay put for longer even if you are sweaty. And the SPF will keep your lips protected from sunburn, which is a problem I have when in the sun.

The Raspberry Creme is a great flavor. Sometime the scents/flavors can be too overwhelming, but this one is nice without overpowering. And this one is a moisturizer, so it will keep your lips smooth and moistened when you need it. This also has Aloe and Vitamin E and SPF protection. This is one that I like for every day use, but it keeps my lips protected as well.

Where to buy: You can find these ChapStick products and more in stores and online.

How to connect: Learn more about ChapStick and their products at http://www.chapstick.com. You can also catch them on Facebook.




*Disclaimer: The ChapStick® product, information and gift have been provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. All opinions are my own.*

Power Rangers Super Samurai DVDs

    

The product: The Power Rangers arrive to save the world as Lionsgate Home Entertainment releases the first super volumes in the newest season of the long-running popular entertaining franchise, Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) and Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2), for the first time on DVD and Digital Download August 14. Join the team of the now Super Samurai Rangers as they battle Master Xandred and his evil Nighlok monsters to defend mankind. This all new super version features new super weapons, super modes and a new super villain that the Samurai Rangers must combine forces against. Currently airing on Nickelodeon, this new production of Power Rangers Super Samurai is the #1 kids action series across all television.

A fan favorite for over two decades, Power Rangers Super Samurai combines action-filled story lines with humor and heart, while promoting strong values including teamwork, friendship and fitness. The Power Ranger Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) and Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2) DVDs will be available in collectible O-Card packaging for a low price SRP of $14.98 each.

The action-packed series consistently ranks #1 with boys and the "Power Rangers Samurai" online game was voted 2011's "Game of the Year" by visitors to Nick.com. These DVD collections join the 100+ new Power Rangers licensees worldwide that include toys, video games, apparel, publishing, sporting goods, food, beverages and more.

Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) Synopsis
Join the Samurai Power Rangers as their ongoing conflict with Master Xandred reaches epic proportions when he sends the dangerous Nighlok monsters to defeat the heroes. It's up to Mentor Ji and Gold Ranger Antonio to uncover the secrets of a legendary black box that will morph the Rangers into Super Samurai! By combining the Rangers' extraordinary power symbols and Megazords to create new and incredible combinations, the Samurai Rangers soon become better and stronger. Yet when a new villain surfaces determined to defeat the Rangers once and for all, while their new Super Samurai powers be enough?

DVD Special Features:

• "Everyday Fun" Music Video
• Character Gallery

Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2) Synopsis

Get ready for more Super Samurai showdowns with Jayden, Kevin, Mia, Emily, Antonio and Mike in their ongoing quest to keep the world safe from Master Xandred, Serrator and the menacing Nighloks! When a young guardian accidentally releases the ancient and dangerous Bull Zord, the Rangers must work together to tame the Bull into becoming a powerful new MegaZord! Plus after Antonio and Mentor Ji get kidnapped, the Rangers must also face a daunting army of Moogers to save their friends. Jump aboard the Samurai Battlewing for these four adventures morphing with unstoppable action and mega mayhem!

DVD Special Features:

• "Everyday Fun" Music Video
• Weapons Gallery

What we thought: My 6 year old son really likes these DVDs. He has gotten into the Power Rangers a lot in the past year. He likes to show me the "moves" that he learns. (Fortunately he's not getting in trouble with them, so it's cute.) I like that these DVDs do more than just show a group of kids fighting off bad guys. They have to learn to work together and grow in their friendships along the way. It's a great show for little kids (especially active boys) to watch.

Where to buy: You can find the Power Rangers Super Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box (Vol. 1) and Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown (Vol. 2) DVDs in stores and online now.

*Disclaimer: I received these products for review. All opinions are my own.*

Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys - 'Bubble Ride' CD

The product:

VANESSA TRIEN AND THE JUMPING MONKEYS

TAKE KIDS ON A MUSICAL 

'BUBBLE RIDE'

“Filled with vivid images, rib-tickling humor, and sunshiny warmth … a tasty mini course in music appreciation.”

– Disney FamilyFun

“The overall effect is eclectic with a sophisticated sound and kid-friendly lyrics."

– UrbanBaby Daily

BOSTON, MA (July 18, 2012) – Honored with FIVE national awards and adored by a legion of families in the greater Boston area, Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys are poised to firmly plant themselves on the national scene with the October 2 release of Vanessa’s third studio CD, Bubble Ride (VeeTree Records, $14.98, run time 47 minutes, for ages 1 – 8).

With heartwarming effervescence, Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys have captured the vibrant energy of the band’s tremendously popular live concerts to showcase a sound honed and refined over the course of the past two years, a sound notable for its energized spontaneity, rich harmonies, and primarily acoustic instrumentation.  The result: a distinctive album, which defines a polished, mindful approach to music for children and families.

Bubble Ride kicks off with “Moomooheehawbaabaaneigh,” a sort of barnyard onomatopoetic Afrobeat song that takes a break in the middle to feature a hilarious rap about animal conversations. A delightful feature of many of the songs on Bubble Ride is the way they “open up” to create the image of a richly textured, large vocal ensemble.  Listening to these singers harmonize makes it clear that they love what they’re doing!  This is especially apparent when Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys revisit on iconic anthem of the early '70s,  "Free to Be You and Me." The round, deep tones of Paul Kochanski’s bass provide a living foundation for the band throughout the CD, while Adam Rothberg’s mandolin playing provides an easygoing Nashville sound to “Spinning Around.”  “Tickle Monster” alternates a droll, klezmer-like slow verse with a fast and silly chorus guaranteed to tickle all listeners of all ages.  With “Yo-Yo Song” the ensemble again demonstrates its strength as a harmony group, with much credit going to the sensitive way that Julie Rama Winslow supports Vanessa Trien’s lead.  Throughout the album, Vanessa Trien displays a command of a multitude of vocal styles that emphasize the humor of songs like "Peacock Walk," the rockabilly energy of "One Fine Day," the husky blues sound of "Train Dance," and the relaxed poise of the title track.

Notes Vanessa Trien,  “Over the past two years, the Jumping Monkeys band has seen a lot of changes as new musicians have come on board, each one contributing fresh ideas and impressive talent. While I remain the primary songwriter, the band has grown into a tight-knit musical family that, together, shapes the songs and creates the sounds we want. We focus mostly on acoustic instruments since many of us come from an acoustic folk background, but we also have roots-rock-bluegrass-funk edges that get families up and dancing. I still enjoy playing solo shows, but I really love playing with the full band because it opens up a whole new world of possibilities as a songwriter and performer.” 

Singer-songwriter Vanessa Trien, who holds a master's degree in education from Harvard University, has  been crisscrossing musical borders for as long as she can remember. While grounded in the acoustic folk genre, Vanessa has assimilated her own style,shifting effortlessly through an eclectic bag of influences: folk, blues, country, rockabilly, jazz standards, Latin, Caribbean, and ‘70s and ‘80s pop. Expanding her horizons to include kid-friendly music came naturally when Vanessa became a parent.  Indeed, her debut kids’ album, Hot Air Balloon (2006), gestated right along with her first child. Both baby Ellis and the CD were deemed first-rate at birth.  School Library Journal dubbed the album “A winner!”  Midwest Book Review wrote, “Enthusiastically recommended … [an] outstanding ‘feel good’ CD.”  Vanessa’s second kids’ CD, Carnival Day (2009), accompanied baby Laila into the world.  BostonChildren’s Music called Carnival Day “a must have for any kids’ music collection.” Vanessa Trien’s first two albums have won two Parents’ Choice® Awards, a NAPPA Award, and two iParenting Media Awards.

What we thought: A variety of fun songs and lyrics. A variety of music types. Fun for kids and families, you will enjoy the Bubble Ride CD with your children. This is a CD your children and whole family will enjoy together. You can sing and dance along to this entertaining CD.

Where to buy: You can find the Bubble Ride CD at CDbaby.com or Amazon.

How to connect: Learn more about Vanessa Trein and the Jumping Monkeys at http://vanessatrien.com/. You can find them on Facebook and Twitter too.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*