Betty Lou's Delicious Snacks Are Perfect for After School!

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.

"Delicious, healthy food! Food that not only tastes good, but makes you feel good. That's the Betty Lou's promise. Reinvigorate your body with any of our healthy snacks: high-protein shakes, low calorie cookies, nut butter balls, fruit bars, organic-certified bars and more! Make the right choice in taste and health and enjoy Betty Lou's - the Northwest's homegrown health shop."

ALL PRODUCTS CONTAIN ABSOLUTELY NO:

• Wheat
   
• Refined Sugars
   
• Hydrogenated Oils! (No Trans Fat)

• Genetically Modified Ingredients (Non-GMO)

We reviewed quite a few goodies from Betty Lou's awesome product line.  Below are a few we really enjoyed:

Organic Powdered Peanut Butter

Nut Butter Balls

And, my personal favorite, Fruit Bars

We really loved all of the products we sampled.  They were so tasty and convenient!  Most seem like small servings, but they really pack a punch when it comes to filling you up.  I love when we can find healthy snack alternatives that the who.e family actually LOVES to eat and Betty Lou's certainly fits that bill:)

ABCD Diaries gives these yummy snacks an A+!

Check out all of Betty Lou's tasty treats!

Despicable Me 2 Minion Madness for Back To School!

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

"Kids and parents everywhere are gearing up for Back-to-School, and Minion Madness continues with this adorable, quirky and functional collection based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide blockbuster, Despicable Me 2. 
Guaranteed to cheer up any student and classroom, this wildly cute product line includes backpacks, lunch bags, apparel, books, bookmarks, flash drives, pens, notebooks, and iPad/iPhone 5 skins. The Despicable Me 2 products are available nationwide at Toys "R" Us, Walmart, Amazon and various other retailers! Off to School In Style we go...

Despicable Me 2 “Assemble The Minions” Backpack
Minions are everywhere! With the Despicable Me 2 "Assemble The Minions" Backpack from Accessory Innovations, kids will enjoy going to school with this adorable backpack featuring the popular Minions (this sentence is not making sense to me). The Minion Backpack measures 16” with side mesh pockets - great for carrying books and school supplies in style! Available at Toys”R”Us, Kmart, and Amazon. Ages 4+, SRP: $12.99-$17.99.

Despicable Me 2 Minion Lunch Bag Insulated Box
The Minions love bananas and what a great way to take healthy treats to school in style! The Despicable Me 2 Minion Lunch Bag Insulated Box from Accessory Innovations has an adjustable shoulder strap and is insulated to help keep nutritious food and bananas protected. Mom will love sending their kids off to school with a Minion chuckle every day! Available at Toys"R"Us and Amazon. Ages 4+, SRP $7.99 - $14.99

Despicable Me 2 Apparel Line
Be a fashionable Minion at any age! With the Despicable Me 2 Apparel Line from Hybrid Apparel, kids can express their inner Minion and make a fashion statement with a variety of styles that feature popular Despicable Me 2 characters! Includes boys and girls T-shirts in sizes 2T-16. Available at Walmart, Kmart and Amazon. Ages 4+, SRP $6.99 - $19.99

Despicable Me 2 Books
The Despicable Me 2 Books from Little, Brown and Company are a great way for kids to jump back into reading before school starts! Based on the animated feature from Universal Pictures, kids of all reading levels can enjoy the adventures of Gru and his
2
family as he makes another career change—as a spy for the Anti Villain League! Available at Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Ages 4+, SRP $3.99-$6.99


Despicable Me 2 Notebooks and Pens
Kids will enjoy concentrating in style with their Despicable Me 2 Notebooks and Pens from MZ Berger. The memories of school supplies at a very early age can set the mark for years to come! Despicable Me 2 Notebooks and Pens will make every Minion memory magical! Available at Walmart, Universal and Scholastic. Ages 4+, SRP - $1.99 - $4.99"

What we thought:  We reviewed a couple of these cute movie themed goodies and the kiddos really enjoyed them.  The sticker book was a lot of fun and they really enjoyed the picture and chapter books as well.  If you have a Minion fan in your life, check out all the awesome goodness Despicable Me 2 has to offer for back-to-school season.  From clothing to supplies, they've got you covered!

Room On The Broom Book & DVD Giveaway!

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. 

The kiddos loved this book and DVD!  It really is a cute set.  Read on to find out how to celebrate Family Fun Month with NCircle Entertainment and Room on the Broom and then enter the giveaway to win your very own Room on the Broom Combo!

August is Family Fun Month!

Why not kick-off Family Fun Month with Family Movie Night? In Room on the Broom, the witch and her cat couldn't be happier, flying through the sky on their broomstick—until the witch drops her hat, then her bow, then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals—a dog, a parrot and a frog—find the missing items and all they want in return is a ride on the broomstick. But is there room on the broom for so many new friends? The kindly witch thinks there is—much to the frustration of her cat.  But when disaster strikes, and the witch is about to be eaten by a fearsome dragon, she is saved by the gang of animals, all working together.  The witch’s cat learns the importance of friends and family, and the witch rewards her new friends with a magnificent broom that is big enough for everyone!

Beautiful CGI animation brings the book’s drawings to life under the direction of Max Lang.  Gillian Anderson (The X Files) provides the voice of the witch; while Timothy Spall of Harry Potter fame, lends his voice to the dragon. Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) narrates the story which also features the recognizable voices of Martin Clunes, Rob Brydon and David Walliams portraying the helpful animals that comprise the witch’s family.  Room on the Broom is produced by Magic Light Pictures (the team behind award-winning animations The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child).

Complete Family Movie Night by enjoying together the fun-filled activities available for FREE for download at NCircle Entertainment’s activity site, EntertainmentThatEducates.com, including a coloring page featuring all of the endearing characters from the film; the “find the…” challenge that incorporates counting skills; templates for creating your own Room on the Broom finger puppets; and the elements for creating your very own magical wand! There’s also a word search puzzle and a dizzying maze to navigate.

 he Room on the Broom has already earned numerous awards and accolades, including Britain’s Royal Television Award for “Best Children’s Program” and France’s Annecy Animation Festival’s Crystal Award for “Best TV Production.” It has been named “Best Animated Short” by the Toronto International Film Festival Kid’s Festival; was the “Audience Choice” at the Cleveland International Film Festival; and was the winner of the Curtinhas Competition for children’s programming at theCurtas Vila do Conde Film Festival in Portugal. 

And now for even more family fun!  Get a jump-start on Halloween this August by creating a witches costume with your child.  Most people have the basics they need right at home, except for the broom, which you may have to purchase:

To make the witches magic wand:

Download this activity here: http://www.entertainmentthateducates.com/

To make a witches hat, you will need:

•   Construction paper

•   Scissors

•   Pencil

•   Ruler

•   String

•   Glue

•   Compass

•   Stapler

•   Things to decorate your hat with: glitter, craft foam, felt sheet, etc.

Note: 

•      Kids 8 years and younger should use child-safe scissors.

•      Keep the stapler out of young children's reach.

See complete details here:

http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Wearables/witchwizardhat/witchwizardhat.html

To make a costume:

You can create the costume using a black top, skirt and tights, or even a black trash bag!  Cut out the head hole and arms, then try on the bag for size to see how much of the bag to cut.  Cut the bottom of the trash bag off in zig zags or v-shapes. The part of the bag that was cut off can be used for the belt, or use some rope.  Add black plastic over any pair of shoes!

For the broom:

Use any old broom you have at home, or check out how to make these fun mini-brooms: http://www.makeandtakes.com/mini-witch-broom

Organizher Write-n-Wipe Weekly Calendar + Giveaway!

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. 

We reviewed the Write-n-Wipe Weekly Calendar from Organizher.  "This slim, magnetic dry erase board features the Organizher weekly grid with Mine, Theirs and Meals sections. It lets you focus on the here and now as you fill in your weekly plan of attack."

This calendar easily fit on our fridge.  I love it's slim, sleek look.  Even though it's small, there is plenty of room for important reminders and meal planning.  This calendar is easy to use and reuse.  The whole family benefits from having everything in one place where it's easy to find.  ABCD Diaries gives the Write-n-Wipe Calendar from Organizher an A!

Make Back-to-School Memorable with Hallmark + Giveaway!

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

"The beginning of each school year is a reminder of how quickly time flies. It’s an opportunity to make memories that will last far beyond the classroom years.  And, whether it’s kindergarten or senior year, sometimes a simple “You can do it!” helps remind kids that you’re rooting for them, no matter what.  

Because the start of a school year can be a whirlwind for everyone, Hallmark wants to help you pause and capture those special moments and celebrate kids as they head back to class with new gift and greetings designed to create lasting memories and share an extra boost of encouragement throughout the school year.

Here are some great ways Hallmark can help with thte  busy back to school season:

o   Pics ‘n’ Props School Days Activity Kit: Capture a child’s first day of school in a creative way with the snap of a camera and Hallmark’sPics ‘N’ Props School Days Activity Kit. The kit includes chalkboards and a frame to document the first day each year — from kindergarten to senior year! Add your photos to the included “My First Day!” photo album to create a lasting memory that can be admired throughout the years.

o   SO SO Happy™ Greetings: Hallmark’s new line of SO SO Happy greetings help moms connect with their kids in a way they understand and appreciate. From Taco to Tribe, a variety of adorable characters inspire and celebrate positivity, acceptance and love — attributes especially important during the school year. Cards even include fun surprises for kids like shoelaces, key chains and more.  Check out one example below!

o   Kids Encouragement Greetings: Whether it’s a new social situation, a test, first game of the year or any day of the week, sometimes kids need a confidence boost. These cards feature kid-appropriate topics to help encourage the special kiddos in your life.

o   Back-to-School Greetings: The newest back-to-school greetings feature furry friends to help you say “Go get ‘em!” to the kiddos in your life."


What we thought:  The Pics 'N' Props School Days Activity Kit is adorable!  What a great way to memorialize your kiddo's school accomplishments:)  The kit comes with pre-made inserts for the chalk board or you can write in whatever you'd like.  The photo/memory book that comes in the kit is the perfect way to document all the important school info for your child each year.  I really love this kit!  The selection of cards we reviewed was great as well.  From the first day of Kindergarten to the first day of college, there is an inspirational card for everyone.  The fun, cute cards are a great way to show you care.  The kiddos loved these:)  ABCD Diaries gives Hallmark back to school products an A+! 

Follow Hallmark via social media for updates and other fun stuff:

·         Twitter

·         Facebook

Enter to win a great Back To School Prize Pack that includes a selection of cards and a Pics 'N' Props Activity Kit!

Keurig Brew Over Ice Giveaway!

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.

What could be better than a nice iced tea or coffee to cool you off on a hot summer's day?  Being able to make it in the comfort of your own home for pennies on the dollar of what the coffee house charges!   Now you can do just that with Keurig's new Brew Over Ice cups!  They offer flavors for every palette.  The three we tried were sooo yummy!  The Keurig system is easy to use and the cups are easy to find at most grocery stores.  

Don't forget to enter Keurig's big Brew Over Ice Sweepstakes!  Download a $2 off coupon here: http://www.brewoverice.com/coolwaytobrew

Connect with Brew Over Ice on Facebook and Twitter

One lucky ABCD Diaries reader will win this fun Brew Over Ice Party Pack:

• 3 Brew Over Ice K-Cup® samples to help you find your favorite icy brew
• 1 Brew Over Ice tumbler
• 4 Brew Over Ice coasters
• 1 Brew Over Ice light-up ice bucket with ice tongs to help keep those cold drinks a-brewin'

Personalized Children's Books by KD Novelties

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. 

From KD Novelties:"We are a publisher of personalized children’s books.  Our books  build self-esteem in children because they become the stars of their very own stories.  They are also a unique way of promoting literacy in children."  

Are you looking for a great gift for a special kiddo?  How about a personalized storybook?  KD Novelties has a large selection of books with popular children's characters and themes.  D is really in to super heroes at the moment so we chose the Justice League book for him.  He really enjoyed it:)  It's always fun for a kid to see their name printed in a book and their character tied into the story.  KD Novelties does a great job of doing just that!
ABCD Diaries gives KD Novelties an A+! 

Become a FAN on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for exclusive deals and discounts!

www.facebook.com/KDNovelties

www.twitter.com/KDNovelties

www.pinterest.com/KDNovelties

Check out eh great giveaway KD Novelties is hosting via their Facebook page!  They are giving away a great Mother Goose Personalized Set!