Gulliver's Travels Review...

We recently had the chance to review the movie Gulliver's Travels from 20th Century Fox.

Synopsis:

"Travel writer Lemuel Gulliver takes an assignment in Bermuda, but ends up on the island of Liliput, where he towers over its tiny citizens."

Product Details
Actors: Jack Black, Amanda Peet
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, 3D, Widescreen
Language: English Subtitles: English, Spanish
Number of discs: 1 Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox DVD
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Run Time: 85 minutes

What we thought: This updated take on the classic was pretty funny.  I wouldn't say it was Jack Black's best work, but it was definitely entertaining, especially for the tween age group:)  If you are looking for a fun few hours of entertainment with the standard happy ending, Gulliver's Travels would be a great choice:)  ABCD Diaries gives Gulliver's Travels an A!

Buy It: Find Gulliver's Travels at your favorite DVD/Blu-Ray seller starting April 19th!!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this DVD for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Grandkid Rock CD Review and Giveaway...

We recently had the chance to review a fun new children's CD by Daddy A Go Go, "Grandkid Rock."

DADDY A GO GO SAYS:

WHO NEEDS KID ROCK WHEN YOU’VE GOT ‘GRANDKID ROCK’?

“The lyrics are pure kid, but parents will hear nods to the Eagles, the Dead and even proto-punks the Vaselines. End result: a perfect soundtrack for changing diapers, washing the minivan or just bopping around the kitchen." – Newsweek

“John Boydston celebrates kids and classic rock with slick '60s pop references, entertaining lyrics with a froth of good-for-you messages and feel-good, sing-along bounce.” – Los Angeles Times

"You gotta love the brains and instruments behind Daddy A Go Go -- John Boydston, a former CNN producer and current stay-at-home dad who came of age in rock's golden era and is now trying to re-create it for kids. He does it with his original songs, groaner pop culture puns, smart covers and ripping guitar lines ... Daddy A Go Go proves again that he's one of kids-music's rockin'-est rulers." – Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"Multi-award-winning children’s rock and roll recording artist Daddy A Go Go, a.k.a. Atlanta stay-at-home dad John Boydston, enthusiastically announces the April 19 release of his eighth CD, Grandkid Rock (Boyd’s Tone Records, $11.99, run time 40 minutes, for ages 3 – 10).

A leading advocate for rock and roll in kids’ music, former CNN producer John Boydston has been “rocking out and raving on” for families since 1998. The acclaim has been tremendous. Five Daddy A Go Go CDs have made Amazon.com ’s “Best of the Year” critics’ list. Come on, Get Happy (The Best of Daddy A Go Go, Volume I) was included this past November on the AOL ParentDish “Top 25 Albums for Kids” list. Monkey in the Middle and Mojo A Go Go were honored with the prestigious Parents’ Choice® Award. The Washington Post credited Daddy A Go Go with helping change the face of kids’ music by moving “playroom tunes into the pop-rock era.” Kids’ music authority Warren Truitt (About.com/Children ’s Music) characterized Boydston’s albums as “full of puns, parental pop music winks, and headbanging riffs … John Boydston lets the jokes fly and the rock and roll thunder.” Daily Candy Kids declared, “Not some watered-down musician for wee ones, Boydston isn’t afraid to shred some serious guitar riffs.”

A “greatest hits” album comprised of 16 remixed tunes that John Boydston considers his “rockingest rockers” from six previous Daddy A Go Go CDs, Grandkid Rock cheerfully continues the Daddy A Go Go alterna-rock tradition of what Stomp & Stammer described as “upbeat, wildly entertaining rave-ups, sing-alongs and silly puns that have endeared the group to kids (and their parents) nationwide.” While Boydston’s most recent release, Come On, Get Happy, focused on softer songs for younger children, Grandkid Rock goes the other direction, rocking out for the bigger kids with lots of electric guitars, drums, driving rhythms and power chords."

What we thought: We all really enjoyed this fun, upbeat CD full of silly songs:)  Every track had us dancing along and it didn't take long for us to all be singing along to these catchy tunes:)  We've always loved Daddy A Go Go and this CD is a wonderful example of their best work.  Grandkid Rock would be an excellent addition to your children's music collection...one you won't even mind listening to over and over:)  ABCD Diaries gives Grandkid Rock an A+!
Buy It: Find this awesome CD for your little ones at your favorite music dealer!

Win It: Daddy A Go Go has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a copy of Grandkid Rock! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a copy of this CD for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Aqua Leisure Review and Giveaway...

We recently had the chance to review the Aqua Fitness set from Aqua Leisure.Aqua Fitness Exercise Set - 6 Pieces

Product Features:

-Includes water barbells and exercise belt
-Workout routine included and exercise gloves included
-One size fits most
-Need not spend your summer sweating in a gym
-Ergobells provide excellent resistance during your aerobic workout

From the Manufacturer:
"Aqua Fitness Exercise Set is an intelligent no-impact workout. You need not spend your summer sweating in a gym; you can enjoy a refreshing workout in your own backyard. The Ergobells provide excellent resistance during your aerobic workout. It includes water barbells, exercise belt, exercise gloves and workout routine."

Product Description:
"Get a low-impact workout with the Aqua Fitness(r) 6-piece water aerobics set. Designed to help you maximize your water workout results, this set is the perfect starter to get you on the path to fitness. It includes an exercise guide and waterproof exercise sheet."

What we thought: This was definitely a fun review:) The belt was our favorite piece of the set...it was really well-made and actually worked:) The ergobells were fun, but didn't stay together very well. The kids still had a good time with the fun-noodle type foam pieces:) The gloves worked well, but don't forget to hang them to dry...otherwise they could leave some discoloration on whatever surface they are left on. Overall, this was a pretty fun set, and though I'm not sure how much of a workout we really got with them, they were certainly entertaining! ABCD Diaries gives Aqua Leisure's Aqua Fitness Set an A!

Buy It: Find this exercise equipment on Amazon!

Win It: Aqua Leisure has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader an Aqua Fitness Set of their own! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a set for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Zippo Candle Lighter Review and Giveaway...

We recently had the chance to review a candle lighter from Zippo.

About the Zippo Candle Lighter: 

"Add a touch of elegance with the Zippo Candle Lighter. With 7 stylish designs, the Zippo Candle Lighter creates the ambiance essential for a big celebration, a romantic dinner for two or a relaxing bubble bath. Plus, it makes a great holiday, housewarming or wedding gift. The Zippo Candle Lighter is a must-have for the fashionista with special occasions in mind.

Zippo® Candle Lighter Features:
7 Unique Styles Perfect For Any Room or Occasion
Zippo Lifetime Guarantee
Sleek Ergonomic Design
Patented child safety button
Fuel-level Indicator
Adjustable Flame Dial"

What we thought: I love my new candle lighter!  It is sleek and stylish and super easy to use.  Plus, it is refillable, which saves me money in the long run!  Zippo has quite a collection of colors and patterns for their candle lighters...something to match everyone's decor:)  Zippo candle lighters are a truly gorgeous alternative to matches or disposable lighters!  ABCD Diaries gives Zippo candle lighters an A+!

Buy It: Find these stylish candle lighters at Zippo!

Win It: Zippo has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a candle lighter of their choice! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a lighter for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Monkey Brains Review...

We recently had the chance to try out several products from the Monkey Brains line of hair care items designed especially for tweens. About Monkey Brains:

"Monkey Brains is a new collection of hair care that allows you to express yourself. To be fun, be cool and be yourself! Look around. How many styles do you spot everyday: spikes, fauxhawks, and controlled messiness... Everyone you see is sporting an individual look! With 2 Gels, 2 Glues, a Pomade, a Hair Refresher and a Shampoo and Conditioner you will be able to rock whatever hairstyle you're feelin' at that moment.One day you don't feel like getting in the shower and the next you're searching for the hair gel. But you're confident about how you want to look on any given day. Monkey Brains gives you the tools to look cool and have fun doing it."

What we thought: These hair products were fun for the kiddos to use. They smelled great, were easy to apply, worked well for styling and washed out easily. They would be perfect for the tween in your life:) Monkey Brains has quite a variety of products ranging from gels with various hold strengths, shampoo and conditioners, pomade and hair refresher...everything a kid could possibly need to achieve that much sought after perfect hair statement:) ABCD Diaries gives Monkey Brains an A+!

Buy It: Find these fun hair products for your kiddos at WalMart and Walgreens!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given samples for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

Red Chair Press Review...

We recently had the chance to review a sampler of Funny Bone Readers from the Healthy Living set at Red Chair Press. About Red Chair Press:

"Committed to learning, literacy, and laughter. At Red Chair Press we have nearly 50 years’ experience writing and illustrating children’s books, developing and researching educational materials, and collaborating with teachers and parents around the world. And what have we learned? All children can learn. All children inspire others through their insights and laughter. All children contribute lasting impact on the world. Our commitment to teachers and parents is to provide materials that inspire children to be the best they can be, to be positive contributors to their communities, and to have fun while learning."

About the Helathy Living Series:

"Children need help and guidance for making good decisions about dealing with bullying, staying active, and eating healthful foods. With Funny Bone Readers children learn from humorous stories and silly characters while making connections to their own actions. And while building a foundation for good decision-making, children build key comprehension skills, expand vocabulary, and develop fluency through reading and interactive response. Perfect for use at home or school, Lesson Plans and eBooks extend the learning."

Here are a few of the titles from the Healthy Living Collection:

What we thought: These books are really great! Both kiddos had a lot of fun reading them and A especially liked the questions and vocabulary word prompts at the end of each book. It was easy to know they were learning from their answers to the provided questions. These books presented important topics in a fun way and helped to put a positive spin on teaching and learning alike:) As both a mom and former teacher, I recommend the Funny Bones Readers from Red Chair Press for at school and in-home use:) ABCD Diaries gives Red Chair Press an A+!

Buy It: Find these fun and educational books for your little ones at Red Chair Press!

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a set of books for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.

SmartLab ReCon 6.0 Programmable Rover Review and Giveaway...

We recently had the chance to review the ReCon 6.0 Programmable Rover from SmartLab Toys.

About the ReCon 6.0 Programmable Rover:

"The Programmable Rover is a toy, a robot, and a tool for learning. A child programs ReCon 6.0 to navigate specified courses that can deliver a treat to a pet, surprise a family member with a personalized message, carry a soda, guard a bedroom, or just dance. NO COMPUTER REQUIRED!

Get to know your ReCon Rover with the spiral-bound Owner’s Manual, which begins with guided projects, but builds to more advanced operating techniques to get your Rover rolling! This cleverly crafted guide concludes with room for taking notes and charting one’s own adventures. Rover-related sound bites­ help to expand a child’s world beyond the play experience."

What we thought: This rover is great for tech loving kiddos and adults alike. The Mission Book is full of fun coding procedures you can program into your rover. The kiddos thought the variety of things we could get the rover to do was pretty neat, but the programming part is definitely suitable for older kiddos. This little guy was a lot of fun and could easily keep your budding robot lover/programmer busy for hours of educational fun:) ABCD Diaries gives the ReCon 6.0 Programmable Rover an A+!

Buy It: The ReCon 6.0 Programmable Rover is $69.99 and is available at http://www.smartlabtoys.com/recon-6-0-programmable-rover.html, Amazon.com and other select retailers.

Win It: SmartLab has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a ReCon 6.0 Programmable Rover! To enter, follow our blog via GFC and comment below.

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Giveaway ends Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:) No PO Boxes.

Disclosure: ABCD Diaries was given a rover for review purposes only. We were in no other way compensated. The opinions expressed in this post are ours and ours alone.