Flower Girl World: Review

Audrey, Georgia, and Sydney got to be flower girls in my brother-in-law's wedding this past Saturday. They were beside themselves with excitement in the weeks leading up to the event.

One way I often help my kids prepare for upcoming things is to read them books about the experiences they will be having. So before going to the dentist, we read books about it. Before going apple picking, we read apple books.

And the wedding was no different. We had accumulated a couple of wedding books over the years that the girls enjoyed reading before the big day.

I was offered the chance to review a new website and set of books designed to engage (pun intended) little girls who are interested in flower girls or who are going to be flower girls. Camellia, the Fabulous Flower Girl is a picture book that both Sydney and Georgia enjoyed. It helps girls understand that friends (and flower girls) don't always have to be the same to be friends. It has the little details I like in these kinds of books that help children know what to expect when they are in the situation.

Rosie and the Wedding Day Rescue is a chapter book that Georgia and Audrey both had fun reading. It is for slightly older girls, although I think Audrey (5th grade) is probably even a bit old for it.

But not only are there two fun flower girl books, there's a whole Flower Girl World website. While not yet at full functionality, there are lots of tips for parents and brides, as well as info for flower-girls-to-be and a photo gallery of flower girls. There will be games and activities for girls, as well.

I was provided with free copies of the two books to facilitate my review. I was not otherwise compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

Veggie-Go's: REVIEW

My four kids can EAT. And when Audrey and Georgia get home from school, they are hungry! Of course, if somebody's eating, they all want a snack. So I am always on the lookout for healthy options that are fun and yummy. We often have apples and peanut butter, or cheese and crackers.

I was recently introduced to a new snack, called "Veggie-Go's." Basically, they are a fruit leather-type snack, made from all-natural ingredients, fruits, vegetables, and spices. There are five unique flavor combinations:

Mountain Berry Spinach
Cinnamon-Spiced Beet
Mulled Wine
Carrot Ginger
Sweet Potato Pie


While Joel was napping, the girls and I sat down for a taste test. Everyone was in agreement that they loved the Mountain Berry Spinach. Very yummy! There was a little disagreement in the order of next yummiest, but we all liked the Mulled Wine and Cinnamon-Spiced Beet. I thought Sweet Potato Pie was pretty good, with its chunks of pecans, but Georgia doesn't like sweet potatoes, so that was a no-go for her. None of us were fans of the Carrot Ginger. The ginger was very strong, so if you love ginger, it's the flavor for you!

Veggie-Go's are available at local specialty food stores in the Boulder, CO area, or you can order them online. They retail for $1.49 each, or you can buy a multi-pack. Veggie-Go's are made by a company called The Naked Edge. Find them on facebook, or follow them on Twitter.

Fyrflyz: Review and Giveaway

Do your kids like to catch fireflies? Mine sure do! Recently, we were asked by MomSelect to review a new toy that kids can use to do light tricks. Since it's intended for kids ages 8 and up, I asked my 9-year-old daughter, Audrey to review it for me. Here's her take on it, and her first foray into vlogging!

Hi, I'm Audrey and I love the Fyrflyz toy. It is kind of like seeing fireworks in your own backyard. You hold the handles loosely and spin it. Then, when you have it wound up, you pull it tight. At this point, you should be having optical illusions which make you see all kinds of cool shapes!

My friends who I gave them to, love the Fyrflyz toy, also. I love to try to make hearts (when a triangle blends into a circle) with one of my friends.  One time we were trying to do it with the lights off.  She got a lights-out heart without ever having gotten one before! She was so mad because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get a heart with the lights on before. She eventually got a heart with lights,though.

I think that this is a fun, easy toy that almost all kids would enjoy.
     

Would your kids like to try out a Fyrflyz? We have one to give away to a lucky reader. To enter, just leave a comment telling us who you would give it to. Make sure you leave your email address if it's not linked in your profile. US addresses only, please. Contest ends Friday, September 2. Winner has 48 hours to respond with his/her address, otherwise we will have to select another winner.

Fyrflyz are available at Toys R Us stores.


I was provided with a free Fyrflyz toy by MomSelect and Fyrflyz to facilitate my review, as well as two additional toys to give to Audrey's friends. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. All opinions are my own or those of my daughter.

Review: Clue: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Edition

Who has seen the new Harry Potter movie? We haven't yet, but we are big Harry Potter fans. Audrey is only nine, so I have just let her read the first three books in the series so far. Georgia will probably read the first one this year, too.

We play a lot of games in our house, so that's why we were so excited to be able to try out Clue: Harry Potter Edition. Clue is one of my favorite kids' games, and this one did not disappoint. It is set in Hogwarts, and one of the students is missing! You get to choose someone to be, and go through the school looking for clues.

The game is played in much the same way as regular Clue, but with a few fun Harry Potter twists. If your kids like Clue and Harry Potter, I think this game will be a big hit with them!


I was provided with Clue: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Edition free from Hasbro, for purposes of this review. No other compensation was given, all opinions are my own.

CSN Stores: GIVEAWAY!

Our 4-year-old, Sydney, is allergic to red food dye. It is so severe that one time when her preschool teacher made Sydney's footprints on a piece of paper with red paint that she had a reaction. Now Sydney does not use red paint unless she is using a paintbrush.

Then a couple of weeks ago, she came home from school with red marker on her hands. She had been tracing her hands for a picture, and some of the (washable) marker got on her skin. Later that day, of course, she had a huge meltdown of the dye variety.

So right away I decided that I had to find her some natural markers, if any existed. Lucky for me, I found some online. Even luckier, CSN Stores carry them! CSN Stores are a group of online stores that have over a million products, from baby equipment to shoes to lighting and rugs. And luckiest of all, I was in the process of doing a review of their stores for this blog.

So I quickly ordered some Clementine natural art products for Sydney to try. The prices were great--lower than at another large online retailer you might know. Many items from CSN ship for free, or shipping is free once you spend a certain amount. The items I ordered came very quickly, even earlier than I was told when I placed my order. I was very happy with the speed and variety of products offered by CSN.

Sydney liked the markers and crayon rocks I ordered for her. There were only four colors of markers, but they were bold and colorful. The crayon rocks were fun, and came in a package of nine different colors. Hopefully now she can trace her little hands without having a problem!


If you would like to win a set of Clementine natural markers and crayon rocks, leave a comment telling me who you would give them to. Make sure you leave your email address if it's not linked to your profile, U.S. addresses only, please. Contest will end next Thursday, 5/19.

I was provided with a gift card to facilitate this review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Goal for it! REVIEW

There are several different chore charts online to help your kids become more responsible. But what about Mom? I don't know about you, but I NEED my lists of tasks each day if I am going to get anything done. That's what makes Goal For It! different.

Besides behavior charts and chore charts for kids, there are tools that allow anyone (even parents) to make and track daily to-do lists. I especially love the goal setting section. I set myself a blogging goal and was able to list different steps I will take to reach my goal. Then I can go back and keep track of my progress. I can even have the site email me reminders (could be necessary).

When you sign up, you create a profile and you have the option to make your goals private, public, or for your friends to see. This could be great if you are working on a project with others and need to keep track of what's been done.

As you create to-do lists, there are many icons already made for you to choose between, from health items to chores to fun things. There is also a way to custom-label an icon if the task you need to remember isn't listed.

Take a look at Goal For It! if you are, like me, unorganized when it comes to daily tasks or if you need a little nudge toward your goals and dreams.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Weird Sports: REVIEW

What do extreme ironing, toilet racing, and cheese rolling have in common?

They are all actual activities that actual people partake in!

The girls and I have been enjoying a new book, Weird Sports, by Michael Teitelbaum from Beach Ball Books. It is full of full-color photographs of people playing strange sports and participating in off-the-wall games. Georgia (first grade) had some belly laughs when she read about elephant soccer, and Sydney (almost 4) loved looking at the pictures of the toilet and bed racing.

This book is a fun, fast read. The layout of the book is exciting, with lots of photos and short text passages that describe each sport or game. The quotes from real players of the games add an extra layer of "wow" to the stories. My girls really enjoyed it!


I was provided a free copy of Weird Sports to facilitate my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, or those of my children.

Guess Who? Mix 'n Match: REVIEW

One of my girls' favorite things to do, either together or with me, is play games. Rich and I also love to play games, and have quite an assortment of board and card games that we often play after the little ones are asleep.

Audrey, in particular, has loved the game Guess Who? since she was about two. My in-laws still have the old set, and she used to love to flip the funny faces up and down and make her grandma tell her all their names.

Hasbro has come up with a new twist on Guess Who? called Guess Who? Mix 'n Match and they offered to let us try it out.

All three of the girls (ages 8, 6, and 3) were intrigued by the game when we first opened it up. It consists of fifteen different characters, each of whom has been split into three parts (forehead, eyes, and nose/mouth). Players choose one of each part and then ask the other players yes/no questions to try and figure out which pieces make up their character. The game is labeled for ages 8 and up.

Audrey (8) absolutely loves this game, as I thought she might. The characters are not drawn in a babyish way (something she is always concerned about), so it is appealing to older kids. There are animals, people, and monsters, so both girls and boys should be happy playing. Audrey likes the game so much that she is already planning on getting it for her friend's birthday in a couple of months.

Georgia (6) also likes to play, but is definitely just barely old enough to play independently. She can read, which is not absolutely essential to gameplay, but is helpful.

Sydney (3) can never be left out of anything. But she can enjoy this game, too, although not with her sisters. We play with the cards face-up, and she has to try to put together each face the "right" way. She has played it numerous times, and really likes it.

I think that this game is a great way for kids to practice logic as they narrow down the options for their character. I wish the stands used to hold the cards were sturdier; they are made of cardboard and have to be disassembled after each game. Other than that minor complaint, I think it's a fun game that parents can enjoy playing with their kids.

And a great time to play with the kids would be on National Family Game Night, sponsored by Hasbro, on September 29.

Find Hasbro on Facebook: www.facebook.com/familygamenight or on Twitter @familygamenight for more updates on the latest games.

I was provided the game Guess Who? Mix 'n Mash by Hasbro free to try out. My opinions are my own, and I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

Crayola Green Back-to-School: GIVEAWAY

It's that time of year again, time to start thinking about going back to school. This year, I have three little school girls! Audrey will be starting fourth grade, Georgia is going into first grade, and little Sydney will be starting her first year of preschool (sniff, sniff). It's a good thing that I have my two-month-old snuggle bug, Joel, to keep me company.

And what would back-to-school be without Crayola products? This year, Crayola is featuring their new "greener" line of supplies. According to MyBlogSpark, Crayola has "greened" three of its products:

• Crayola Markers - Thanks to new, innovative ways to manufacture Crayola markers from recycled bottle caps, "black" is the new "green!" Crayola markers will now have black barrels instead of white, which allows for more recycled plastic to be used and gives a second life to more than 1 million pounds of plastic bottle caps. Plus, switching to black barrels keeps hundreds of tons of plastic out of landfills each year. Available in 10-ct. Broadline Classic Colors, 10-ct. Broadline Assorted Colors, 10-ct. Fineline Classic Colors, 8-ct. Washable Broadline and 8-ct. Washable Fineline.


• Crayola Green 24-ct. Crayons - The quintessential school supply found in virtually every elementary classroom will be made with the power of the sun. More than 26,200 solar panels will convert sunlight into electricity, generating the energy required to make 1 billion of the 3 billion crayons Crayola makes each year, which equals 60 million 24-ct. boxes. Mother Earth will be smiling down on every forest green, pine green and jungle green crayon that rolls off the assembly line!


• Crayola Green Colored Pencils - Committed to protecting the rain forests since 1987, all Crayola colored pencils have been made from reforested wood instead of wood sourced from tropical rainforest or endangered species. For every tree used, a new tree of the same species is planted. The 12-, 24-, 36-, and 50-ct. boxes of Crayola Colored Pencils will be among the first to carry the "Eco-Evolution" callout on their packaging.

Each package explains how Crayola is lessening the impact on the environment.
My girls put the new supplies to an early test, and they reported that the new markers, colored pencils, and crayons worked just as well as the old ones. Just as good, and better for the earth. It's a win-win.

If you would like to win a back-to-school pack, leave me a comment and tell me what is (or was) your favorite school supply to buy. Winner will be chosen Tuesday, August 17. US addresses only, please.

Crayola provided me with the products, information, and giveaway through MyBlogSpark for this review and giveaway. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated in any other way for this post.

BJ's Spring Clothing Line: REVIEW

We have been members of several warehouse club stores in the past, but our favorite has been BJ's. We like that BJ's accepts manufacturer's coupons in addition to their own coupons, carries brands you will find in the grocery or discount store, and accepts major credit cards. And their store brand diapers are great (and cheap)!

Recently, I was contacted by BJ's regarding their new spring line of clothing. According to my contact, you can dress a family of four for under $100.

Spring highlights include:

• Men’s IZOD Short Sleeve Polo – 100% cotton. Available in a variety of colors. Small – XXL. $14.99-$16.99 ($50 Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP))

• Men’s Nautica Jeans – Assorted washes. Sizes 32-42. $19.99 (Compare to more than $49.50 at department stores)

• Women’s Liz Wear Knit Top– Short sleeve chiffon trim mixed media top. Available in various colors. Small – XL $14.99 ($39.99 MSRP)

• Women’s Liz Wear Crop Pant – Available in black, khaki, chocolate and olive. Sizes 4-18. $19.99 (Compare to $65 at department stores)

• Girl’s Nicole Miller Knit Tops & Capri Sets – Charmeuse and knit tops with capri bottoms in various colors and patterns. Sizes 12-4T. $12.99 (Compare to $38)

• Boy’s Wes & Willy T-shirt & Short Sets – Graphic tee and nylon short sets in various colors. Sizes 3-8. $12.99 (Compare to $39)

= $98.94 BJ’s pricing, $291.49 value

BJ's offered me a $25 gift card to try out some spring things for the girls. There were a bunch of cute choices:


But as soon as Sydney saw the Dolly and Me outfits, we were sold.

Too cute, girls!

If you are not a member of BJ's, you can print out a free 60-day membership pass, which must be activated by July 5, 2010.

BJ's provided me with a gift card to try out their new spring line. All opinions are my own. Pricing information provided by BJ's.

LikeWear Clothing: GIVEAWAY

Although this week in Philadelphia has been rainy and chilly, I am pretty sure that it is finally time to pack away the warm clothes and pull out the T-shirts and shorts. But sometimes when I pull out the tubs, the old stuff doesn't quite look so cute anymore...

So that's why I was excited when LikeWear and MomSelect offered me a chance to try out a new concept in kids' (and adults') clothing design. LikeWear allows customers to choose from tons of popular graphics and apply them to a variety of different clothing items to come up with custom clothing so you can "Wear What You Like!"

I picked out two items for Audrey:


I'm not sure you can see it, but this one is a long-sleeved layered look shirt with a heart made of conversation hearts. Very cute, and great for early spring or these chilly days we've been having.


This one is a short-sleeved t-shirt with a strawberry Tootsie Roll Pop on the front.

LikeWear has a TON of different designs to choose from, anything from popular cereals, to candy of MANY kinds, to sports and just cute icons.

Their website is not too fancy, and was easy to navigate. The only problem I had was that I couldn't find any sizing chart so I just guessed and ordered size Medium in both shirts. They both ended up being too big for Audrey (but they will fit her next year). I would've liked to have been able to use her measurements or regular sizes to correlate with the sizes they offer.

Since the shirts are too big for her, I haven't washed them yet, but they seem to be high-quality and are definitely made of thick and soft fabric. The graphics are bold and bright, and look like they will last through many washings. And hopefully through three girls!

The interesting and unique thing about LikeWear is that it is a direct marketing company, where people can sell the products at home parties (I'm sure you can think of other examples of direct marketing companies). So they are not only a company started by parents, they support parents trying to make money for their families.

The best part? LikeWear is offering one of my readers a $50 merchandise credit to try out their clothing for yourself. To enter, just visit their website and tell me which graphic you might pick if you win! Be sure there is a way for me to contact you through your Blogger profile or in your comment, or you will forfeit your win.

But for all my readers, LikeWear is offering a special discount--25% off your entire purchase! Just enter the code OCCUPATIONMOMMY when you place your order. Code expires 6/19/10.

US addresses only, please. Contest ends Monday, May 31.

I was provided a gift certificate to choose some items to try, as well as a gift certificate to give away, by LikeWear and MomSelect. I was not otherwise compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

My Job Chart

I don't know about you, but getting my girls to complete their responsibilities each day can be a struggle. I have to remind them multiple times to do things that I think should be old hat by now.

That's why I was intrigued when I heard about My Job Chart. This is an online chore tracking system that allows kids to keep track of the chores they have completed and earn rewards.

Audrey, Georgia and I spent some time setting up our family account. Each child in the family has her own password and can be assigned chores. Chores can be assigned for morning, evening, or both, and for every day, once weekly, as a one-time thing, or on certain days that repeat each week. And for each chore, parents assign a number of points children earn.

Then, parents can give a point value to any number of tangible and non-tangible rewards that kids can work toward. For example, we decided that going out for a Rita's water ice would cost 300 points. Since brushing their teeth twice a day alone is going to get them 10 points, it is a reward that will not take long to acquire.

My only hang-up is that this could turn into just another thing for me to nag them about. It remains to be seen, though. Right now my plan is to leave the site open on our desktop in the dining room, so they can easily log in and track their chores. Since they both love using the computer for any reason, I look forward to seeing a decrease in my involvement in their daily routine. My full review of the helpfulness of this site is forthcoming.

Disclosure: I received a gift card from MomSelect in exchange for checking out this website. My opinions are my own.

Harumika fashion doll-Review and GIVEAWAY!

Audrey and Georgia have always been very particular about their clothes. Audrey, in particular, has clear opinions about what does and doesn't look good, and what does or doesn't go together. She went through a stage where she loved it if her outfit didn't match. Fortunately, I think that stage is over.

I was recently sent a new toy for my girls to review, and it played right in to their desire to dress the way they like best. The Harumika fashion doll is a dress form that comes with swatches of fabric and stickers so girls can design their own fashion ensembles.

The cool part about this toy was the easy way children can get the outfits to stay on the dress form. It has a special slit that kids use a stylus to push the fabric in, and then it stays wrapped around the doll. Here, it's easier to just look at the picture:







After the fabrics are folded, wrapped, and secured around the dress form, girls can use stickers to add details. The stickers include trim, decorations, jewelry, and accessories.

My girls enjoyed designing an outfit with this kit. The package indicates that the toy is for ages six and up. Audrey, 7, was able to play without any help. Georgia, 5, needed help with pushing the fabric into the back of the doll with the stylus. I think this would be the perfect gift for a little girl's birthday party.

For even more fun, kids can visit the Harumika web site and share their favorite designs.

Harumika has graciously offered to give one of my readers a fashion doll of her very own. To enter, just leave me a comment about a crazy outfit your child (or you!) has left the house wearing. US addresses only, please. The contest will end next Wednesday. Good luck!

Crayola Winner Week 2 and Giveaway

Congratulations, melanie, you are this week's Crayola Creativity Pack winner! If you email me your address, your prize will be on its way.

And if you didn't have a chance to enter last week's giveaway, you are in luck because this week I will be giving away #3 of four Crayola Creativity Packs. Crayola and My Blog Spark are sponsoring this giveaway in honor of this week's Twitter event, Girl's Night Out. This week's topic is Creative Connections (building and strengthening relationships and character through creativity). I know I will have a lot to say, because I find that the times I enjoy my girls the most is when we are doing crafts together. Join in the discussion on Twitter tomorrow night (Tuesday, August 11) from 9-11 pm. EST.

We have received our Crayola Creativity Pack in the mail, and in next week's giveaway post I will tell you about all the fabulous things we made with our new art supplies. So enter to win!

To win, just leave me a comment telling me how you build and strengthen your relationships with your children or teach them about character through creativity. I will pick a winner on Monday, August 17. US addresses only, please.

Act Out! Game Review

I don't know about you, but I love shopping online instead of going to stores to choose gifts (especially with free shipping!). I recently found out about a website called ebeanstalk, dedicated to selecting good, safe learning toys and 5 year old toys. The unique side to their site is that all of their toys are chosen by moms that work with them. I was sent one of their toys to try out with my girls. The game they sent is called Acting Out! from Playroom Entertainment, who makes great educational toys.

Acting Out! is a card game geared for girls ages seven and up. It is a twist on charades, where girls have to both act out something (folding laundry, dunking cookies in milk) while at the same time "sounding out" something totally different (thanking parents for a gift, barking like a seal). It is silly fun, perfect for a sleepover.

Audrey, Georgia and I tried out the game a couple of times. Georgia was clearly too young for it, since she can only read a little bit. Audrey thought it was really fun, although I noticed there were some cards that she didn't understand (getting ready to go to a dance, imitate your fave ring tone). I think maybe the game would be better labeled as for ages 9 and up because of some of the more mature themes (NOT inappropriate, just not encountered at age 7 yet).

As far as learning with this toy, it is a great way for kids to learn to portray ideas in a variety of different ways. It stretches their vocabulary since they are not allowed to use any of the words on the cards and it stretches their imaginations, too!

Priced at $14.95 on the website (free shipping with $65 purchase), Acting Out! was fun and will continue to be fun as my girls get older. Especially at sleepovers with their silly friends!

Crayola CreativityCast: GIVEAWAY!

Have you participated in a Twitter Girls' Night Out yet? I haven't, but I am looking forward to my first tonight. This Tuesday and all the Tuesdays in August, GNO will be sponsored by Crayola. Join in the "party" to talk about Affordable Fun. With three active little girls in the house, I am always looking for affordable, fun ideas!

And in honor of Crayola's Girls' Night Out sponsorship, Crayola and My Blog Spark will be sending me a pack of Crayola products to try. But even better, I will be giving away a Crayola prize pack every week for the next four weeks!!!

To win this week, just give me an idea of some affordable fun you enjoy with your kids. I will pick a winner on Monday, 8/3. I hope to see your Twitter IDs tonight at the GNO!

Lil Boo and Co. GIVEAWAY!

Do you know someone who is having her second baby? Are you planning a road trip, taking your kids to the doctor's office or a wedding? I have the perfect toy that is adorable and quiet, courtesy of Nicole from Lil Boo and Co.


Check out this cute Color Caboodle (TM) crayon roll:





It is made out of soft felt and comes with eight Crayola crayons, although you could easily fit two crayons in each slot if your child wanted more choices. There are several different fabrics to choose from, and each roll is only $7! Pair it with a coloring book and you have a great birthday gift. My girls wanted to color as soon as they saw the Color Caboodle. It will be the perfect thing to bring when we go to the shore next weekend. We won't have any crayons rolling around in the car!



Nicole has a variety of sweet and well-made products in her Etsy store, including hair clips and Boo Boo Cubes:





These "ice" packs are made of soft flannel and also come in a variety of patterns. They are filled with rice and can be frozen for a cold pack or warmed quickly in the microwave to give heat.



Since we received the Boo Boo Cube, my girls have wanted it every time a boo boo was even hinted at. It is so soft, and when frozen it is not painfully cold like some gel packs. Even 2-year-old Sydney was able to keep it on her bumped head without protesting. Well, without protesting the cold at least! These cubes go for just $4.



And it gets better! Nicole has graciously agreed to give away one Color Caboodle and one Boo Boo Cube to one of my readers. To enter, just go to Lil Boo and Co.'s Etsy site and tell me which pattern you would choose for the Color Caboodle and the Boo Boo Cube. Contest ends Monday, 5/25. US addresses only, please.

The Greatest Show on Earth

On Wednesday night, Rich and I took the girls to the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus at the Spectrum. Thanks to Mom Central and the Feld Family Activators, we were given seats in the first row. We were happy to see the winner of my giveaway, Courtney, with her husband and son, Double L.

We took Audrey and Georgia to the circus three years ago, and we weren't that impressed. But WOW, did they improve it since then! We had an incredible time!

Our seats were amazing. The ringmaster stopped by for a pose:

And the elephants and horses paraded right in front of us! My favorite parts were the elephants and the zebras dancing. The big girls were amazed by the acrobats, while Rich loved the high wire act.

And Sydney? She talked about the tigers for the rest of the night and is still talking about them. "Kai-gers! Raaar! Raar! RAAAAAAR!"

If you can get there, I highly recommend "Zing! Zang! Zoom!" And when you call for tickets, use the code "MOM" to get four tickets for $44, and any additional tickets at $11 each.

JumpStart Online: GIVEAWAY

Audrey and Georgia love to play on the computer. Georgia, in particular, could probably play computer games all day, and is always sad when her allotted "screen time" for the day is up. They have a variety of games online they like to play, like PBS Kids, Disney, Nick Jr., and Starfall, but their favorites for a while have been our JumpStart games.

We have a bunch of JumpStart games and Georgia's favorite is JumpStart Artist. She loves creating her own artwork, puppets, and movies, and she spends lots of time mixing colors and even learning about real works of art.

Audrey likes JumpStart artist, as well. Her favorite kind of computer games are games in which she can explore through "worlds" and rack up prizes. Since she is now in second grade, it has been a bit harder for me to find online games that still give her a challenge.

That is why we were all excited when JumpStart contacted me to review their new online world at JumpStart.com! This 3D online world offers children a fun way to learn while they don't even realize it. When kids start playing, they get to customize their own "Jumpeez," their character that will explore the different lands. Georgia loved this part. She made a white cat with a fancy skirt.

This is not her Jumpee, but you can get an idea for the different options. Once the Jumpee is made, there are different lands (Adventure Land, Story Book Land) where kids can play games. The girls had fun exploring the different lands and were excited to play more.

The only disappointment we had on JumpStart was that our computers are on the old side and the site kept freezing up. I don't know what exactly the issue was, but the girls are hoping that Rich will let them play JumpStart on Daddy's work laptop (newer) and that his computer will work better.

Overall, we love JumpStart products and the online world seems like a great addition to their line. And good news! JumpStart is offering one of my readers a free 3-month subscription for your kiddos! Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, April 26.

Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus GIVEAWAY

When I was a little girl, my dad told me that the best circus was the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus. He took me a couple of times, and I loved seeing the clowns, acrobats, and elephants.

The Circus is coming to Philadelphia's Wachovia Spectrum starting May 13 and runs through May 25. This year's show, Zing Zang Zoom, promises to be great fun for the whole family.

And thanks to Mom Central, you have access to a great deal on tickets: Get a family 4-pack of tickets for just $44, with the coupon code MOM.

Or, even better, I have a family 4-pack of tickets to give away. Please leave me a comment to enter my giveaway for four tickets to the May 13 opening night show. The show starts at 7pm.

Giveaway closes on Sunday, April 26.