PS Mom Reviews

Monday, December 5, 2011

BENGAY Cold Therapy Review

Do you suffer from aches and pains, especially from sore muscles? I know the older I get the more I feel it. When my back is achy, BENGAY is a great way to soothe those sore muscles quickly. And now they have a new Cold Therapy to help get those stubborn kinks out of your sore muscles.

BENGAY COLD THERAPYScientifically formulated gel that brings the powerful relief of cold therapy directly to alleviate pain

Product Benefits:Provides a fast-acting blast of cold and deep penetrating, long-lasting relief.
A vanishing scent that starts to disappear in minutes, making it preferable for daytime use.
Only brand to use PRO-COOL technology.
Same technology used by chiropractors and physical therapists.

BENGAY Cold Therapy:
Available at food, drug and mass retailers nationwide.
Suggested retail price: $8.49 - $9.99, 4 oz. tube
Visit www.bengay.com

Matt always likes the cooling stuff they put on his back with ultrasound at the chiropractors office. The new BENGAY Cold Therapy is similar to that. It's supposed to be the same technology that chiropractors use. Now you can get it at home without an appointment.

Matt recently used the BENGAY Cold Therapy. I helped him put it on his lower back. The gel is nice. I like the texture better than regular BENGAY. It rubbed in really easily and the strong menthol smell didn't linger long. Matt said he didn't feel the cooling effect last long, though, compared to regular BENGAY. He'd prefer dealing with the smell and using the regular. But I think this is a good option for daytime use, you know, when you don't want to smell like BENGAY all day long. Since the BENGAY Cold Therapy rubs in so well, you won't get that lingering smell.

The price might seem a little high at around $9 per bottle, but compared to similar products on the market I think it's reasonable. When you hurt and need something like this, the price doesn't really matter so much anyway. At least that's usually how it works with me. Ha!

You can find BENGAY Cold Therapy in stores all over the US. Plus they have a link to order from their website. And Amazon does carry it too. I think you'll find this a great product to keep on hand in your house for those aches and pains.

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

Sunday, December 4, 2011

MyPublisher Holiday Cards {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 12/8} (CLOSED)

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

*Edited to update: This giveaway will be closing 3 days earlier than originally stated. That way you'll have plenty of time to order your cards. Giveaway now closes at 12:01AM EST Friday, Dec 9th.*

Have you been looking for Christmas cards? I've noticed that so many are similar. It's hard to even know where to start looking. I found a company that stood out to me. Not only do they have great cards with many to choose from, but they also have little extras that make the cards special (most of them for free). You will find so many great things to like about MyPublisher's Holiday Cards.

I'm a little behind and haven't ordered our Christmas cards yet, but here are a few that I like:

They have such a big selection. It will take me a while to decide. (I better decide soon or I'll have to order New Year cards instead.)

MyPublisher.com, known for its high quality photo books, now offers an impressive collection of customizable holiday cards for the 2011 season. Whether you are featuring a photo of your entire family, just your kids, or even your pet, MyPublisher’s collection of cards allows everyone to find the perfect card to fit his or her style and stand out from the rest this holiday season. In addition to the unique, captivating designs created by top industry artists, MyPublisher uses a high quality card stock and includes a number of extras such as envelope liners, return address printing, and standard shipping – all for free.

Not only is MyPublisher.com providing me with Christmas cards this year, but they want to give one of you a gift code for up to $50 worth of Christmas cards of your choice from their site. With the big selection and all the little extras, you won't be disappointed.

If you want to enter the great giveaway, just enter in the Rafflecopter form below!

*Disclaimer: I was provided a GC to order my Christmas cards from mypublisher.com. All opinions are my own.*

Organa Kids Castle Farm & Happy Valley DVD Review + {Rafflecopter Giveaway - Ends 12/11} (CLOSED)

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

Animated Stories From Around the World

Are Brought To Life In Launch of New DVD Series:

Castle Farm Volume 1 & Volume 2

Happy Valley Volume 1 & Volume2

Settle Onto DVD August 30, 2011 From Organa Kids

Los Angeles, CA (August 1, 2011)-- Children's animated stories are brought to life in the launch of two new, delightful animated DVDs series - Castle Farm and Happy Valley, which read out to preschool children to engage their imaginations, amuse and entertain and at the same time teach lessons to last a lifetime by relating to them on their own level. The first volumes of each title settle onto DVD August 30, 2011 from Organa Kids, a company dedicated to bringing the very best in children's animation and television fro around the world to U.S. audiences on DVD and digital download.

Like a child's drawing brought to life, Castle Farm is a gentle series from Englad full of color and colorful charachers. Join Farm Girl, Piggy, Leonard, Farmer and all the barnyard animals as they solve mysteries, fix things, get chores done, play games and learn lessons about friendship, responsibility and having fun. Each vignette is filled with its own tiny adventure that will engage ounsters again and again.

Castle Farm Volume 1 includes the episodes "Snails," "The Carrot Thief," "Ball Games," "A Windy Day," "Amber," "The Prickly Flower," "Bubbles," "Trophy" and "Waiting for Winnie." Volume 2 includes "Muddy Farm," "Little Bo Lost," "Stinging Nettles," "The Twirly Spinner," "Talking Trouble," "Woodlice," "Pumpkin on the Loose," "Blackberries" and "Eight Legs."

Happy Valley, a charming series also from England, is set in a beautiful countryside by the sea. Using traditional and contemporary nursery rhymes and songs, each episode tells a story about the children who live in the valley as they learn about the world around them. Whether taking a school trip, visiting grandparents, or a simple walk in nature, the tales are endearing and captivating and appeal to even the youngest of viewers. Happy Valley Volume 1 contains the episodes "Rain is Tumbling," "There You Are, Blackbird," "Tree on the Hill," "Where Are You Hiding?," "Autumn Leaves," "Gee Up Little Horsie," "Wakey, Wakey!," "Far, Far Away" and "Little Donkey." Volume 2 contains the episodes "Cosy Little House," "Have You Ever Been Sailing?," "Robin Redbreast," "Going to See the Doctor," "Scarecrow," "Cars," "Shopping," "Valley Farm" and "Sun Cream."

Castle Farm and Happy Valley are recommended for children ages 2-5 and are available for $14.95 each. For more information about these and other titles, visit www.organakids.com.

About Organa Kids
Organa Kids was established in 1995 with the mission of introducing American families to stories, characters and cultures from around the world through multicultural stories with universal themes. Inspiring kids to have an awareness of the world as a while (While being delightfully entertained), Organa Kids is creating products that balance technology and real-world experiences. The company most recently released "Scavenger Traveler" app for the iPhone whereby kids of any age can explore their environment traveling of on vacation. Other DVD releases include "Stories From Each of the Moon," based on witty stories by Monty Python's Terry Jones; "Move With Me" series of Yoga DVDs for kids; and "The Adventures of Mouse & Mole." On CD-ROM is the fascinating "Croatian Tales" based upon the book "Croatian Tales of Long Ago" animated by an international team of animators, illustrators, musicians, programmers, and actors.

This is a fun DVD set for preschool age kids. My son was a bit too old for this, but he's on the top of the recommended ages and he's already in school. But these are just right for my 1 1/2 year old nephews. The Organa Kids DVDs are fun and entertaining in just the right way.

The Castle Farm and Happy Valley DVDs are targeted to children ages 2-5 years old. The movies are each about 59 minutes long. And they sell for a retail price of $14.95. You can purchase the DVDs from the Organa Kids website or through Amazon as well.

One of you can win these DVDs by entering in the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of these DVDs to review. All opinions are my own.*

Here is a fun new game from Marina Games. This fast paced dice game is called Take-Out. The idea is simple, take out as many numbers are you can. The game comes with a cup, 10 numbered dice (with different numbers on each), and 2 regular white dice. You get to take out number combinations that add up to the number on the white dice.

The whole idea of Take-Out is to take out as many numbered dice as you can. The rest at the end of your turn get added to your score. And the last person to reach 150 points is the winner. As each person reaches that score, they are eliminated.

Take-Out is a really fun game. It's easy to play. They do recommend players ares 8 and up. That's because you have to be able to do simple math to eliminate dice. This game is easy to take with you anywhere. It comes in a small box that is easy to carry with you to parties, get togethers, and more. You can purchase Take-Out in stores across the US, just check their locator to see where it's in a store near you. And you can get it from Amazon too.

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

BIG Holiday Savings for Moms!

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

Moms are busy. Ask any one, they'll all say the same thing. I know I will. Between laundry, dishes, preparing meals, caring for children, school activities and so much more, I don't know how we get it all done some days. And we try to balance it all while saving money for our family too.

I love shopping for the holidays, but its hard to find all the right gifts. More than that, it's hard to stay in budget sometimes too. Of course I'd love to get my family the best of everything, but I still have to think about the money I have set aside for Christmas and use only that.

BigCrumbs.com must have had moms in mind when they created their website. You can shop AND save on their website. They have cash back rewards for over 1200 top online stores - like Target, Walmart, Best Buys and Macys. Every purchase helps you to earn cash.

You can sign up for free at BigCrumbs.com. You get to shop right from your comfy home when you have the time to do it. You can get all the same deals from these website and still earn a little extra cash back.

Plus if you're looking for a way to earn even more money, you can refer other moms and earn from them as well when they shop.

Use BigCrumbs.com today to start saving with your holiday shopping!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Country Dance 2 Wii Game Review

I am a huge fan of the Just Dance Wii games. They are so much fun. I've always liked music and dancing (from time to time). I don't seem like the dancing type, but once I get into it I have a lot of fun. And I have a decent sense of rhythm that really helps with these games. But this is the first time that I've been introduced to the Country Dance games. The new Country Dance 2 Wii game is a lot of fun to play, especially if you are a country music lover.

Country Dance 2 is a fun, energetic dance game that your whole family can do together. It has over 30 songs and different dances. And the songs are popular choices from hit country artists that you love. Here is a little more about the game:

Kick Up Your Heels to Your Favorite Country Hits with GameMill Entertainment’s Country Dance™ 2Available Now Exclusively on Wii™

Dance to 30+ Chart-Topping Tunes from Today’s Biggest Names in Country Including Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, George Strait, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and more!

Minneapolis, MN—November 1, 2011— Country music’s biggest artists are headed to your living room for an all new interactive experience! GameMill Entertainment, an independent publisher of entertaining mass-market video games, today announced the launch of Country Dance™ 2,the sequel to America’s favorite country dance video game that’s packed with fresh country hits, all new routines, multiplayer modes and brand new sing-along features. Country Dance 2 is available now exclusively for Wii™ at retailers nationwide.

Download the official Country Dance 2 launch trailer for a sneak peek at the interactive fun that will have you kickin’ ‘til the clock stops tickin’:https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1267582562/3e596b31fa10d70dd71479ea0f207a82

(Or view the trailer here: http://youtu.be/xfoFzphPqj8)

Country Dance 2 is the ultimate country music video game experience featuring more than 30 tracks from the biggest names in country. The CountryDance 2 star-studded lineup includes music from Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, George Strait, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and many, many more. Building upon the simple gameplay loved by fans of Country Dance, CountryDance 2 amplifies the fun with an all new sing-along features, duet dancing and a new calorie-counting exercise mode. Whether you’re cutting the rug on your own, line dancing side-by-side with your partner, or taking on friends and family in a dancing duel, Country Dance 2 will transform your living room into an energetic dance floor with today’s hottest country songs from America’s best-selling country artists.

Country Dance 2™ Complete Song List:

Ashton Shepherd – “Look It Up”
Billy Currington – “People Are Crazy”
Blake Shelton – “Honey Bee”
Brad Paisley – “Old Alabama”
Carrie Underwood – “All American Girl”
Chad Brownlee – “Carried Away”
Chris Heers – “Dirt Rich”
Dierks Bentley – “Sideways”
Easton Corbin – “Roll With It”
Eric Church – “Hell On The Heart”
Frankie Ballard – “A Buncha Girls”
George Strait – “Here For A Good Time”
Gwyneth Paltrow – “Shake That Thing”
Hayley McLean – “Good Time Bone”
Hunter Hayes – “Storm Warning”
Jake Owen – “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”
Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”
Joanna Smith – “Gettin’ Married”
Josh Kelley – “Georgia Clay”
Josh Thompson – “Won’t Be Lonely Long”
Katie Armiger – “Best Song Ever”
Keith Urban – “Better Life”
Kellie Pickler – “Tough”
Lady Antebellum – “Lookin For a Good Time”
Little Big Town – “Little White Church”
Luke Bryan – “Country Girl”
Miranda Lambert – “Gunpowder & Lead”
Montgomery Gentry – “What Do Ya Think About That”
Rodney Atkins – “Take A Back Road”
The JaneDear Girls – “Wildflower”
The Last Ride– “Take You Down”

Additional Country Dance 2 Features:

Star-Studded Soundtrack: 30+ country hits from country music’s biggest artists!
User-Friendly Gameplay: Easy to jump in and play – just grab the Wii Remote™ controller and replicate the onscreen dance moves! Fun for all ages and all dance abilities!
Don’t be Shy, Belt it Out: New sing-along features and scrolling lyrics let you dance AND sing!
Grab a Partner: Supports up to four players at once including duet dancing option that features unique choreography for each player during the same song!
Calorie Counter: Dancing is a great way to burn some calories; take advantage of the all new calorie counter!

Country Dance 2 is available nationwide exclusively for Wii™ for the suggested retail price of $39.99, and is rated “E10+” by the ESRB. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CountryDanceGame. Follow us on Twitter @Country_Dance. For more information about Country Dance 2 or the Country Dance franchise, please visit: www.game-mill.com.

###

About GameMill Entertainment

High Voltage Software, Inc. is an award-winning studio that has been developing games and simulations for over 18 years. Located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, it now employs over 100 staff members. The independent company has successfully produced a wide variety of license-based video game titles that include dancing/ rhythm, competitive racing, professional sports, motion picture adaptations, horror, military simulations, as well as innovative original intellectual properties. More information about High Voltage Software and its products can be found at www.high-voltage.com.

About High Voltage Software, Inc.

I was excited to try this game. I must admit that I'm not a big country music fan. In fact I don't know many of the songs on here. But I do like being able to have some new dances and songs with the Country Dance 2 game. The movements are pretty easy to follow. There are some songs that are harder than others, but they are denoted that way. The calorie counter feature on the game is handy. When I do my dance games, I do it to get moving and work up a sweat.

This game is rated "E10+", which is for everyone over the age of 10. I'm not really sure why it's rated higher, because we really do pay attention to ratings in our house. My son is 5 and he does not usually play games that are over an "E" rating or watch movies/shows that are rated higher than his actual age. Call me mean, but that's the general rule. There are a few exceptions, and it's on a case by case basis. I do let him play the Just Dance games with me. I understand that they rating is because of some suggestive song lyrics. So far that has not been an issue for us (as far as him picking them up), so he can play with me. I think this game is the same. Lyrics are the only thing I see for the rating being higher. I have not played all the songs yet, so I don't know for sure. But for now if my son does want to play, he must play with me only. If I heard a song I don't like him listening to, we won't play that particular one.

Zachariah was funny playing this. He doesn't get what country music is since we don't listen to it much at all. When we did the first dance, he thought the "cowboys" were pretty fun. Then we he figured out all the dances had "cowboys", he was a little confused about that. I think some of the line dance type dances are good for him and easy to pick up on, so it was fun to play with him.

Country Dance 2 Wii game is available in stores and online now. This is a great gift or stocking stuffer for the country music (or dance) lover in your life.

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

Friday, December 2, 2011

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

I usually like to get my Christmas decorating started right after Thanksgiving. We had too much going on last weekend, though, and I was not in the mood to get started. I've spent this week getting myself ready to put things up, even if I wasn't completely in the spirit of Christmas yet.

So this afternoon my son and I drug out all the Christmas decorations and tree. We put on some Christmas movies to watch while we were decorating. And I have to say the end results look good. I don't have the rest of my Christmas knick-knacks and decorations done quite yet, but at least we have a great start.

How soon do you put up your decorations? Do you go all out or like to keep it simple?

Stockings (no fireplace, so they hang on the wall)

Zachariah's ornaments he hung all together

Our Christmas Tree

Winter Wonderland Giveaway - Win a Kindle Touch & $50 Amazon Gift Card

Welcome to the Winter Wonderland Giveaway Event.

We have partnered up with lots of different and wonderful bloggers to bring you some fabulous prizes, just in time for the Holiday Season!
Giveaway starts December 2nd at 12:01 AM EST to December 15th at 12:01 AM EST.

Giveaway winners will be announced through the Rafflecopter widget and notified by email by the end of the day on December 17th, 2011.

Winners must reply to email notification within 48 hours of delivery, or a new winner will be chosen.

Participating Blogs that made these giveaways possible:

Pink Dandy Chatter
Outnumbered Mama
PS Mom Reviews
Pawsitive Living
Spilled Milkshake
Thrifty Divas
Indiana Coupon Savings
Social Studies Momma
The Frugal Mom Debs Dealz
Mamalou's Gems
Magical Mouse Schoolhouse Disney Contests and Sweepstakes
$uper $avin' Momma
Personalized Sketches and Sentiments
Half-Pint House Handouts
Horseshoes
Chitown Cheapskate
Get Outta My Head Please
Capturing Magical Memories
Finger Click Saver
Tenuous Thoughts of Candy
Reading Teen
Sober Julie Doing Life
One Busy Moma
All In One Mom
Luv Saving Money
Jenny At Dapperhouse
My Secret Home
Black, Divorced and Virtuous A Gal Needs...
Mommy2Nanny3Doggy1
Sweeping The USA Between The Lines
Mommies and Beyond
Crunchy Beach Mama
Savin' It Up
Mayra's Secret Bookcase
The Working Writer's Club
Counting My Kisses
Lily's Laundry
Thrifty Mommas Tips
Yummy Boy Mummy
Celebrate Woman Today
As Mom Sees It

GIVEAWAY PRIZES:

* Winner will receive one Wi-Fi, 6" E Ink Display Kindle Touch

*This giveaway is open to the US Only

*There will be 1 winner chosen to win this giveaway

***

* Winner will receive one $50 gift card to use at Amazon.com

*This giveaway is open to the US Only

*There will be 1 winner chosen to win this giveaway

GIVEAWAY ENDS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15TH AT 12:01 AM EST

GOOD LUCK!!!

If you are entering from my main website, just click through the "read more" link below to get to the Rafflecopter form to enter!

Baseball Guys from Kaskey Kids

Imaginative play is so important for children. In a world full of television, videos, gaming systems, electronics, computers and the internet, our children don't always get enough time to play by themselves with small things. This sparks creativity and is great for all kids to do from time to time. Having a few great toys for your kids to use doesn't hurt either.

Kaskey Kids makes some great little toys that kids will love to play with over and over again. Their action figures with sports guys are a hit with my son. They have all sorts of different sports guys- Baseball Guys, Hockey Guys, Soccer Guys & Girls and Football Guys too.

The Kaskey Kids Sports Guys are little plastic toys in shape of sports players. Your kids can arrange a whole game and play over and over with them. Older kids will love setting up plays and acting out a whole game with their two sports teams against each other.

The Sports Guys come in different colored sets, so you can choose the colors that you'd like. Or if your kids are really into football, they will appreciate the College Football Guys that come in some of the most popular teams, like Ohio State (sorry that one was for us). They can collect all their favorites and pair them together for a great show down.

We already have a Football Guys set that my son enjoys. Now we have a Baseball Guys mini pack. This just has one baseball team. These are great for a smaller gift, especially for someone who already has sports guys. You can add another team for their baseball games or football games. The full sets come with 2 teams and a play mat with the sports field to go along with it. The Football Guys even has goal posts that you can set up and use.

I think the Kaskey Kids Sports Guys are great for children who are sports lovers. And this is something that they can use and be creative with. It will be great fun to play with a friend and see who "wins" the game. You can purchase Sports Guys at various store locations or at their online store. These are perfect toys for gift giving!

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

Benny's Angel Blog Tour

BOOK SUMMARY
Benny's Angel

Who stole the flowers in God’s Secret Garden?

When Ella Eagle discovers that the flowers in God’s Secret Garden have wilted, she alerts Mayor Benny Bunny. The main suspect in the case is evil Count Slime, who is jealous of the joy the animals have in the garden. Mayor Benny calls in Oliver Owl, the captain of the Owl Force Wisdom Watchers, but the owls have not seen Count Slime during their patrols of the garden. Mayor Benny suggests the animals pray for an answer. God hears their prayer and sends Marietta the angel to help them solve the mystery.

This delightful tale uses animals, nature, and a visit from an angel to teach children the importance of prayer and the value of trusting God.

AUTHOR BIO

Laura Allen Nonemaker’s desire to write took root as a child in Bermuda. Since then, Laura has written in a variety of genres and her work has appeared in Essence Treasury: Celebrating the Season, Alive! and Kentucky Monthly Magazine.

Laura has been involved in short-term missions, including trips to Russia, Poland, and the University of the Nations in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Three years ago, her interest in the arts motivated her to join the planning team for Artful Missions, which conducts juried art shows and donates to outreaches in the U.S. and India to rescue women and children from human trafficking.

Feel free to contact Laura at lauranonemaker@gmail.com

Connect with Laura at These Social Networking Sites:

facebook: Laura Allen Nonemaker
twitter: @DigInGodsGarden
Linkedin: Laura Nonemaker
Blog: www.diggingingodsgarden.com

Q & A WITH LAURA

Why did you write Benny’s Angel?

Benny’s Angel was the result of an occurrence in my “secret garden.” While seated on my garden bench praying, I noticed a rabbit hopping through the garden. The Benny’s Angelscenario came to me. I sensed it was significant and in about ten minutes, I developed the basic storyline.

Why do you think reading is important for parents to emphasize with children, both by reading to them and fostering a healthy reading appetite as they develop their own reading skills?

I believe the time to instill a love for reading in children is when they are toddlers and beginning to experience the power of communication in their relationships. Children are ready to absorb whatever they see and hear going on around them, whether it is good or bad. It is important to read them stories that ignite their imagination and plant the seeds of sound moral principles.

What issues do you address in Benny’s Angel, and why do children need these sorts of stories to help them through life?

In the story of Benny’s Angel, the animals in God’s Secret Garden encounter a problem. They are unable to solve it themselves and pray to God for an answer. God answers their prayer by means of an angel. Benny’s Angel teaches the importance of prayer and of trusting God to answer our prayers. These principles filter naturally through the storyline and without the need for sermonizing. Children will face all kinds of problems and challenges as they grow up and stories based on sound biblical principles lay a strong foundation for their future.

Tell us about the next book you have coming out after Benny’s Angel.

The next book in the God’s Secret Garden Adventure Series is about a little frog. Through some misadventures, he learns the importance of obedience.

GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

1 Vivitar Camcorder with Camera and 2X Zoom
1 Benny's Angel Picture Book
1 Benny's Angel 3-D Book
1 Benny's Angel Coloring Book
1 Benny's Angel Audio Book
1 Benny's Angel T Shirt
1 Benny Christmas Ornament
1 Marietta Christmas Ornament
1 96-Count Crayola Crayons

You can find Benny's Angel by Laura Allen Nonemaker on Amazon.com.

If you'd like to be entered to win the giveaway prize above, simple leave a comment about why you like this book on this post. Ends 12/8.

The way it works is all the winners from the participating blogs will be put together and one grand prize winner drawn from there. So when you enter here, you're just entering for a chance to get into the grand prize drawing. Good luck!

The lucky qualifier is #2 Donna. Good luck with the grand prize.

$400 Santa Cash Giveaway

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a gift and never giving it”
William Arthur Ward

We are Thankful for our Readers and we would love for you to win some holiday cash