Dinosaur Train/Pressman Games Review and Giveaway...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Preschoolers

We recently had the chance to try out a variety of Dinosaur Train games from Pressman Toys.

Dinosaur Train Make a Match
Buddy and his friends sharpen players’ memory skills in this special matching game that features a Buddy figure!
Dinosaur Train Pop 'n' Race game

Pop the dice dome and move your pieces around the game board. Your special dinosaur mover has to get home first – when a foot print shows on the game die, it will help you get there quicker.

Dinosaur Train Big Roll Bingo Game
It’s a child’s first bingo set, combining the fun of the classic game with special Dinosaur Train elements. Oversized dice let you know if you can cover up a picture. A special game die and rules have been designed for a second level of play.

Dinosaur Go Fish Card Game
Dinosaur Train™ Old Maid GameDinosaur Train™ Crazy 8’S Card Game

What we thought: So this review was definitely one of the kiddos favorites and for good reason! These games are all super fun for the whole family:) We have played every single one over and over again...even D gets in on the action playing on somebody's team. These games are great for teaching basic preschool skills like counting, colors, matching and sorting, not to mention an excellent way to introduce fair play, working well with others, good sportsmanship and self-confidence! And all that with one of the kiddos favorite cartoon themes, The Dinosaur Train, which of course teaches the kiddos about science and prehistoric animal(or dinosaur:) life! These games would make excellent (and affordable:) Christmas gifts for the preschoolers on your list this year! ABCD Diaries gives Dinosaur Train games by Pressman Toy an A+!!

Buy It: Find these super fun Dinosaur Train games at mass merchandisers and toy stores nationwide!!

Win It: Pressman Toy has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader one of each game we reviewed...That means one lucky reader is set in the game department for Christmas!! To enter, leave a comment below telling us who you would gift these games to:)
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Giveaway ends Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:)

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

Simple Times by Amy Sedaris Review...

Thanks to Hatchette Book Group, we recently had the chance to review Simple Times by Amy Sedaris:

Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People

By Amy Sedaris

Description:

"America’s most delightfully unconventional hostess and the bestselling author of I Like You delivers a new book that will forever change the world of crafting. According to Amy Sedaris, it’s often been said that ugly people craft and attractive people have sex. In her new book, SIMPLE TIMES, she sets the record straight. Demonstrating that crafting is one of life’s more pleasurable and constructive leisure activities, Sedaris shows that anyone with a couple of hours to kill and access to pipe cleaners can join the elite society of crafters.
You will discover how to make popular crafts, such as: crab-claw roach clips, tinfoil balls, and crepe-paper moccasins, and learn how to: get inspired (Spend time at a Renaissance Fair; Buy fruit, let it get old, and see what shapes it turns into); remember which kind of glue to use with which material (Tacky with Furry, Gummy with Gritty, Paste with Prickly, and always Gloppy with Sandy); create your own craft room and avoid the most common crafting accidents (sawdust fires, feather asphyxia, pine cone lodged in throat); and cook your own edible crafts, from a Crafty Candle Salad to Sugar Skulls, and many more recipes.
PLUS whole chapters full of more crafting ideas (Pompom Ringworms! Seashell Toilet Seat Covers!) that will inspire you to create your own hastily constructed obscure d’arts; and much, much more!
CRAFTING STATISTICS

How Are We Using Our Crafts?

1. Camper decorations

2. Old people presents

3. Chew toy

4. Dust accumulator

5. As evidence that we don’t spend all our time doing absolutely noting

6. Salvaged for parts to make other crafts

What we thought: If you appreciate Amy Sedaris' humor, then you will of course love this book:) Simple Times is a parody full of funny ideas and hilarious instructions, but most of the crafts can actually be created if you so feel inclined. Just keep in mind, this is not so much a serious craft guide as it is (mostly) meant to be farce:) ABCD Diaries gives Simple Times an A+!

Buy It: Find this hilarious book at your favorite book dealer!!

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

The Christmas Gift Review...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Everyone

The Christmas Gift
by R. William Bennett

Product Details:
Hardcover: 152 pages
Publisher: Burgess Adams; 2nd edition (September 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 098256063X
ISBN-13: 978-0982560631

Product Description:
"Every school has its legend; Ben Jackson was Maple Grove Elementary's. He has been held back five years in a row; he was exposed to nuclear radiation as a child; he was raised in the woods by bears. So went the many assessments of Ben Jackson by his sixth-grade peers. Over-sized and under-niced , Ben was the school bully. As the school year begins, new student Scott stands up to Ben, and as a result, becomes Ben s new daily target. From the annoying comments to the humiliating pranks, Ben assures a day doesn't pass without making Scott's life miserable. But in this story of forgiveness, tolerance, and unconditional love, both Scott and Ben make a remarkable transformation that will leave you with a fresh understanding of the meaning of Christmas in your life."

What we thought: This book is truly heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. I promise, this book will change your outlook and how you treat others. The Christmas Gift delivers an incredible message that we all need to hear. The book is a very quick read, but the message is profound. This book would be the perfect gift for any adult or teen on your gift list this year:) ABCD Diaries gives The Christmas Gift an A+!

Buy It: Find this amazingly touching book at your favorite book seller!

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

EcoMom Stocking Stuffer Review and Giveaway...

We have once again teamed up with EcoMom, this time to spotlight some really cool stocking stuffer ideas!About EcoMom:
EcoMom is an amazing site on which you can find quite a variety of healthy living products for you and your family. They have so many ways to keep you in the know on the latest products and information including a community of like-minded moms, an informative blog, EcoMom TV and a relevant newsletter.
EcoMom says:
"Healthy living doesn't have to be overwhelming. Small steps matter, and make a big difference. We Make It Easy. Founded to address the connection between the health of our environment & the health of our children, EcoMom is committed to making eco-conscious living easy, affordable, & rewarding with education, support, tools & products." EcoMom offers a wide variety of products from the high chair to the lunch box, so you should definitely go check them out for all your eco-friendly needs! They also have a new program called the EcoPass that allows you to purchase a $99 annual membership that provides a 15% discount on every order as well as frees shipping with no $75 minimum requirement. This could easily pay for itself if you order your eco-friendly products online!"

A little about the products we reviewed: TreeSmart Pencils are made from 100% recycled newspapers. 12 Mini Colored Pencils per pack
Why We Like This: Every kid and artist alike will want to start doodling and designing with this 12-color pack of 100% recycled newspaper TreeSmart mini pencils.
Bamboo Mini Notebooks:
These books fit in a purse, backpack, car or diaper bag.
Water-proof soft cover
Made with 100% sustainable bamboo pulp paper
Each notebook has 96 ruled pages, last 8 pages are perforated
Assorted vibrant colors - lime, yellow, red and black
Measures 3.25 x 5-Inches
Why We Like This:Writing is as important for your brain as riding a bike is for your body! These fun notebooks are a cool way to motivate yourself to take the time to WRITE. The pages are comparable to any notebook you may be used to, and the bright colored covers mean that your little munchkin may be drawn to them as well (no pun intended...well maybe a little).

Chick Keyring Kit: With a stylish stripey body and that fiery red hair, chick loves to paddle round the pond like he doesn't have a care! Easy to make chick keyring with pre-cut felt pieces so no tricky patterns to cut out. Makes 1 chick keyring, Finished size: Height 4" x Width 3" Recommended for 6 years and up creative childrens toys included in the kit pre-cut chick felt pieces, printed canvas and floss, ready to stitch together to make a cute keyring • pre-cut felt pieces • cotton printed pattern • floss x 2 • stuffing • metal needle • metal keyring

Why We Like This: How many times have you walked by a store and your little one cried out, "I want that" and you bought it because it was cheap, or small or some combination of the two? Well here's your chance to change that pattern. Now your child can have that adorable keychain they have to have, only they have to make it first! DIY teaches them that they have to work for what they want, not in a punitive way, but in a creative, fun and exciting way.

LED Piggy Flashlight: No batteries needed for this ultra bright LED rechargeable flashlight. Kids can manually charge the light by squeezing the piggy. Perfect for sleepovers, flashlight tag, trick-r-treating, night reading and forts! Measures: 6" L x 2.5" W x 2.5" H

Why we like this: Batteries are a bummer. They are expensive, they are toxic and they don't last. We love that you have to work for it with this lil' kitty. Especially great for kids who sometimes forget to turn things off!

What we thought: EcoMom is one of our favorite places to go when we're looking for the highest quality eco-friendly baby and children's products whether for our own family or our friends. The kiddos really enjoyed each item we reviewed. We have yet to make the keychain, but it looks really cute and would be great for 8-12 year olds. A is really into writing and drawing so the notebooks and pencils were a huge hit with her and D is a flashlightaholic, so the LED Piggy was right up his alley. EcoMom is a great place to find fun and creative stocking stuffers without breaking the bank! If you are looking to reduce your family's carbon footprint by using quality green products, we definitely recommend checking out the huge variety of amazing products at EcoMom! ABCD Diaries gives EcoMom an A+!!

Buy It: Find your eco-friendly baby products at EcoMom! Use the code SBBL426 through December 31, 2010 and save 15% on your first order!

Win It: EcoMom has generously offered one ABCD Diaries reader a $15 gift certificate to be used at their website!! To enter, go check out their site and let us know one item that catches your eye. (Note: If you have won an EcoMom GC previously, you are not eligible to win again.)Extra Entries:

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Giveaway ends Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US and Canada residents 18+:)

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

American Lung Cancer Association Christmas Seals Review...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Everyone, Across the Miles

We recently had the chance to review an ornament and a cookie care package from the American Lung Association Christmas Seals campaign.

About the American Lung Association Christmas Gifts:
"You may be familiar with the American Lung Association’s yearly Christmas Seal campaign which mails Christmas Seals directly to millions of Americans each holiday season. Now, in addition to the Seals, the American Lung Association has fun holiday gift items including gift wrapping paper and tags, holiday cards, collectable 2010 ornaments, and new exciting items for 2010 including the “Christmas Cookie Care Package” which includes cookie cutters, an apron, and a delicious sugar cookie mix. You can spread holiday cheer and feel good knowing that your holiday gifts support the work of the American Lung Association!"
About the Christmas Cookie Care Package:
"What better way to enjoy the holidays than with freshly baked cookies! Enjoy this special Cookie Care Package from the American Lung Association this Christmas. It includes three Christmas-themed cookie cutters, the Christmas Seals apron and an 11 oz package of sugar cookie mix with red sprinkles. Get the whole family baking a delicious holiday treat!
The Christmas Cookie Care Package comes in a festive white box, perfect for gifting.
- Cookie cutters are top-rack dishwasher safe and come in the following shapes: Santa Hat, Christmas Tree and Holiday Bell.
- Apron is sturdy and machine-washable with the festive Christmas Seals design on the front.
- Cookie mix yields 2 dozen cookies and has an 8-10 month shelf-life.
- Cookie mix contains wheat flour, malted barley flour, cane sugar, vanilla extract and orange extract, and is produced in a nut-free factory."

About the 2010 Christmas Seals Collectible Ornament:

"Brighten your tree with this 2010 Christmas Seals Collectible ornament. This jolly ornament, shaped like a present with a festive red bow, features Santa's very own reindeer: Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. This ornament is sure to make a great gift for loved ones, or hold a special place on your own tree!- Comes in American Lung Association Box- Unbreakable custom shape poly ornament"

What we thought: We had a lot of fun with the Cookie Care Package. The cookies were delicious and used an easy-to-follow recipe and minimal ingredients(water, butter and the cookie mix). The cookie cutters worked perfectly and the apron kept us stylish and clean:) The package came beautifully wrapped and would be the perfect gift for a family with children or anyone who loves to bake. It could also work for a college student far from home who has access to an oven, but might not have a lot of baking ingredients on hand. The Christmas Seals ornament was really cute and would be perfect for anyone really, but especially someone who collects ornaments. They would also make great Secret Santa, co-worker and neighbor gifts. You can give these gifts to anyone on your gift list and be happy knowing you won't break the bank and you're supporting a great cause! ABCD Diaries gives the American Lung Association's Holiday Gifts an A+!!

Buy It: Find great holiday gift ideas and support a great cause at ChristmasSeals.org!!

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

Dewey's Nine Lives Review and Giveaway...

ABCD Diaries

2010 Holiday Gift Guide:

Cat Lovers

Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions
by Vicki Myron

Product Details
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Dutton Adult (October 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0525951865
ISBN-13: 978-0525951865


Product Description:
"The cat that captured America's hearts returns, to share more of his special brand of magic. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World was a blockbuster bestseller and a publishing phenomenon. It has sold nearly a million copies, spawned three children's books, and will be the basis for an upcoming movie. No doubt about it, Dewey has created a community. Dewey touched readers everywhere, who realized that no matter how difficult their lives might seem, or how ordinary their talents, they can-and should-make a positive difference to those around them. Now, Dewey is back, with even more heartwarming moments and life lessons to share. Dewey's Nine Lives offers nine funny, inspiring, and heartwarming stories about cats--all told from the perspective of "Dewey's Mom," librarian Vicki Myron. The amazing felines in this book include Dewey, of course, whose further never-before-told adventures are shared, and several others who Vicki found out about when their owners reached out to her. Vicki learned, through extensive interviews and story sharing, what made these cats special, and how they fit into Dewey's community of perseverance and love. From a divorced mother in Alaska who saved a drowning kitten on Christmas Eve to a troubled Vietnam veteran whose heart was opened by his long relationship with a rescued cat, these Dewey-style stories will inspire readers to laugh, cry, care, and, most importantly, believe in the magic of animals to touch individual lives."


What we thought: If you are a cat lover, you will love this book! If you have a cat lover on your gift list this year, they will love this book:) Myron does an excellent job of picking the best stories to share with her readers in Dewey's Nine Lives. Each cat and owner have different but captivating stories and this book beautifully ties them all together with a single theme...people and the cats that love them unconditionally:) This really would make the perfect gift book this holiday season. ABCD Diaries gives Dewey's Nine Lives an A+!

Buy It: Find this wonderful book at your favorite book seller.
Win It: Two ABCD Diaries readers can win their very own copy of Dewey's Nine Lives! To enter, tell us who you'd share this book with!
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Giveaway ends Monday, December 6, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winners will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US and Canadian residents 18+:)

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

National Healthy Skin Month +Giveaway...

"November is National Healthy Skin Month and it’s an essential time to take care of your skin. Originated by the American Academy of Dermatology, this month raises awareness about the importance of keeping your skin fresh, hydrated and healthy, even in the winter and fall. A vital way of doing so is by maintaining year-round sun protection. Many consumers don’t know or forget that the sun’s damaging UV rays are present year-round.

Dr. Elizabeth K. Hale Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at NYU and practicing Dermatological surgeon, has tips to keeping your skin healthy especially in November:

• Cloudy Days Still Mean UVA rays. Those wrinkle and age-spot producing rays are present rain or shine and indoors or out. Whether you’re driving your car, inside near a window, or outside on an overcast day, sun protection is essential.

• Use Lightweight but Equal Protection. Although you may not need a heavy-duty sunscreen this winter, you should still use one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Dr. Hale suggests Coppertone® Oil-Free Faces SPF 30, a lightweight product you can use.

• Don’t Forget About Your Lips. Lips are the most exposed to the sun throughout the winter months. Toss an SPF-containing chapstick into your bag for everyday use to keep your lips hydrated and protected."

We recently had the chance to try a few Coppertone products to promote National Healthy Skin Month.

What we thought: We have used Coppertone sunscreens every summer since I can remember, but in the winter we never really think to put sunscreen on. However, it is becoming increasingly more important to protect our family's skin year round. It makes sense...just because it is cooler outside doesn't mean the sun isn't shining and the harmful effects of the sun are still present. We were pretty excited when we were asked to be a part of this campaign and even given the chance to test out two of Coppertone's sunscreens for faces...one for sensitive skin and one that is oil free. The sensitive skin provides 50SPF and is perfect for the kiddos skin and won't sting if you happen to get a little in their eyes(that NEVER happens, right?:) The oil free is great, especially if you already have oily skin:) It provides 30 SPF and won't clog pores. It goes on smooth and doesn't leave a greasy residue. Both of these Coppertone sunscreens would be the perfect stocking stuffer to remind everyone to take care of their skin all year round:) ABCD Diaries gives Coppertone faces sunscreen an A+!!

Buy It: You can find Coppertone sunscreens at mass merchandisers nationwide.
Win It: Coppertone has generously offered a set of the two sunscreens we reviewed to one lucky ABCD Diaries reader! To enter, leave a comment below!!

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Giveaway ends Monday, December 6, 2010 at 11:59cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and emailed. They will have 48 hours to reply. Open to US residents 18+:)

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