Due to personal reasons and a growing photography business, Lolidots is not longer blogging, running giveaways or doing product reviews. There are tons of other great giveaway blogs out there though! Thanks to my fans for 2 years of awesome support and a lot of fun!
There are so many moments in motherhood that stay with you. So many milestones that bring a smile to a mother's face.
For me, one of the big ones was the first time my son drew a picture that I could actually discern what it was without asking, "Oh my, can you tell me about this picture?".
In the last year or so, my son has become more and more interested in art and has definitely become a better artist. I adore that he likes to draw and love to nurture that interest.
The people over at RandomLine absolutely understand the need to feed the interest in art and encourage creativity while stimulating my child's imagination. I love that RandomLine's objective is to provide the fun and imaginative products for kids that make no noise and require no batteries. All that is required is a child's imagination. The imaginative mind behind RandomLine is a dad that knows what kids like and what parents want for their kids' growing minds.
RandomLine has tons of products for kids to have fun and stretch their imaginations to the max. The Squiqqle game lets teams compete to turn a squiggly line into a picture. That fun is turned into an On-The-Go solo game with the item that RandomLine sent me to check out. Squiggle On-The-Go is a doodle pad that has a simple object; turn a squiggle line into a picture. The original version of the game has you spin the arrow on the back to decide which direction your squiggle line starts.
RandomLine sent us the Squiggle Ocean On-The-Go game. You spin the wheel and when it lands on a sea creature, that's what you turn your squiggle line into. I think all these doodle pads are absolutely adorable. The ultimate judge in this test, though, was my artistic son. I will say that, even though I love my son's art, I was concerned that he may not be quite advanced enough or confident enough to get the hang of it. I was wrong! He adores the Squiggle pad and the only help he needs is reading the sea creature. Then, he and his imagination are off! Though it's a bit out of her age range, even my almost 3 year old daughter loves drawing off the Squiggle lines!
There are tons of other versions of the Squiggle On-The-Go game to chose from. RandomLine also offers a super cute Squiggle Style that opens up to a dry erase drawing board, contains dry erase markers and has wheels and spinners for girls to get a random selection of clothing and accessories so that they can doodle up like a fashion diva.
As much as I love the fun travel Squiggle pads, I'd love to get some of the Educational Activity Pads for my kids. Activities that make learning fun are always a welcome addition in our house and anything that makes traveling quieter is definitely welcome!
The age ranges of the RandomLine products are fantastic. I think any of the products would make excellent gifts and should be on your "Must Have" travel list. For more fun, check out RandomLine and play one of their online demos!
Buy it! You can purchase RandomLine products from their online site, specialty toy stores, book stores, gift shops and Barnes & Noble.
Win it! One reader will win a Squiggle On-The-Go Activity Pad!
US only ends 5/15
To Enter: Mandatory - Visit RandomLine and pick the On-The-Go pad you'd like to win. Use entry form below for this initial entry.
Extra Entries: Use Disqus comment box for your extra entries. If you don't see the comment section, click the title of this post and scroll to the bottom. Please make sure that your username for Disqus correlates to your entry form.
- Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect - Become a fan of RandomLine on Facebook - Comment on RandomLine's Facebook page - Follow RandomLine and Lolidots on Twitter - Tweet (twice daily) Win an Activity Pad from @RandomLine and @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways - Enter any other current giveaways (1 entry for each entered) - Comment on a non-giveaway post (unlimited entries)
5 entries- Blog about traveling with your kids, mention this giveaway and link back here 10 entries- Make a purchase from RandomLine during this giveaway
This is probably one of the coolest toys my kids have ever played with outdoors.
Seriously, I have never heard my son laugh the way he does when he's playing with this toy.
With the weather warming up and kids headed outdoors after so many months of being cooped up inside, believe me when I say that your backyard needs this toy.
Are you ready for this? It's incredibly cool. And insanely fun.
This 52" inflatable ball is so incredible. My kids absolutely love this thing! It inflates quickly and totally provides hours of fun. One of the best things about the GBOP is that kids can have a blast solo or playing together. My son laughs his head off whether he is running like a hamster inside that ball or when his dad is rolling him around the yard. It's definitely a ton of fun!
If this GBOP isn't big enough for your kids, take a look at HearthSong's newest addition, the Incred-A-Ball!
HearthSong has been providing kids with amazing toys since 1983. Even after all these years, HearthSong remains committed to making sure that there's a place where you can find quality toys and playthings that stimulate a child's imagination and activity. Their selection of toys canvases all age ranges and is very impressive. The quality is superb. I'll be honest, my first thought when I see an inflatable anything for the backyard is, "I give it an hour before it pops." When I realized the extremely high quality of the material used to make the GBOP I was beyond impressed. These things are built tough and can stand up to the active playtime that kids will put them through. All the toys in HearthSong's collection look equally as impressive.
One of my favorite things about HearthSong is the ease of shopping. When browsing the site you'll find that the toys are broken down into so many different categories that searching for the perfect toy is a total breeze. You can search by activity, age and even specific gift ideas. HearthSong is there for you to make your shopping easy and your kids smile. I'm a huge fan.
Buy it! You can purchase the Great Big Outdoor Play Ball and any of the other amazing toys from HearthSong's online site.
Win it! One very lucky reader will hear the squeals of laughter in their own backyard when they win a Great Big Outdoor Play Ball of their own!
US only ends 5/10
To Enter: Mandatory- Visit HearthSong and pick out another product you love. Use entry form below for initial entry.
Extra Entries: Use Disqus comment box for your extra entries. If you don't see the comment section, click the title of this post and scroll to the bottom. Please make sure that your username for Disqus correlates to your entry form. - Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect - Become a fan of HearthSong on Facebook - Follow Lolidots on Twitter - Tweet (twice daily) Win a HearthSong Great Big Outdoor Play Ball! @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways - Enter any other current giveaways (1 entry for each entered) - Comment on a non-giveaway post (unlimited entries)
5 entries- Blog about what your kids like to do in the backyard, mention this giveaway and link back here 10 entries- Make a purchase from HearthSong during this giveaway
There's plenty of children's music that just doesn't pass the test in our house. It's gotta be just as high energy as my kids but, let's face it...it's got to be pleasing to Mom's ears as well!
When it comes to music that makes us all happy, one of our new favorite CD's in this house is Debbie and Friends More Story Songs and Sing Alongs. We're all huge fans of the fantastic beats of every track on this newest album from award winning Debbie and Friends.
Debbie Cavalier, college dean by day and high energy pop star by night, shows that she knows what kids and parents want when it comes to music. Her first CD, Story Songs and Sing Alongs won numerous awards and with the new CD, Debbie is giving kids even more fun.
My kids and I love this CD. I love how interactive they are with the music. The song Simon Says gets them up and moving while we can totally relax with songs like Until Next Time (one of my personal faves) that is actually a duet with Sesame Street's legendary music teacher Bob McGrath.
Really, how adorable is this?
I'm lucky enough to get introduced to a lot of new kids' music and get the chance to review different albums from many different artists. So far, I have loved them all and am happy to say that Debbie and Friends has been lovingly placed with our other favorite family music discs and definitely gets heavy rotation around here.
For more fun, head over to Debbie's Fun Page and check out some videos and tons of other fun stuff for you and your kids!
Win it! One reader will win their own copy of Debbie and Friends More Story Songs and Sing Alongs!
US only ends 5/10 To Enter: Fill out entry form below. Mandatory for any extra entries to count. Extra Entries: Use Disqus comment box for your extra entries. If you don't see the comment section, click the title of this post and scroll to the bottom. Please make sure that your username for Disqus correlates to your entry form. - Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect - Become a fan of Lolidots on Facebook - Follow Lolidots on Twitter - Tweet (twice daily) Win Debbie and Friends Kids' CD @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways - Enter any other current giveaways (1 entry for each entered) - Comment on a non-giveaway post (unlimited entries)
When I was a kid I was obsessed with my stuffed animals. I played with them all the time and toted them around with me everywhere. Back then, real pets were for backyards and toy pets were lucky to come with their own bed. It seems like everywhere you look these days someone has an adorable animal all dressed up and tucked into a designer bag. Why should little girls with their toy pets be any different?
Pawparazzi toys take the ageless love of toy pets and combine it with the current obsession society has with dressing and pampering our pets.
But, it's more than that.
The company behind Pawparazzi, Noodle Head Inc., has given little girls a line of toy pets that they can play with, read about and interact with online. They can collect bags, jewelry, fashions and more while they stretch their imaginations in the play world of celebrity pets.
I must say, the pets and accessories are absolutely adorable. Even I got into exploring the Pawparazzi site and reading the cute snippets about the different "celebrity" animals. Clicking into "Star Snippets" gives you the 411 on the comings and goings of the stars in Pawparazzi world. Really, this stuff is way too cute.
Noodle Head sent us the Toby Pawparazzi Set. This sweet little cat comes with a leash, collar, blanket, celebrity magazine, matching mini note pad and chic purse to be toted around. In addition, we got the "Day at the Spa" set. Does it get cuter than a spa robe, slippers and eye mask for the cat? Too cute!
My daughter went gaga over Toby and all the accessories. She carries that cat around everywhere. For a little girl that is already obsessed with purses and animals, having them together is just the best for her!
There are several adorable pets to choose from and so many different accessory sets. I definitely think that little girls of all ages would be thrilled to collect them all and play in the world of Pawparazzi.
Buy it! You can head over to Pawparazzi now and use the code PAWLOLI to get 15% off your purchase until the end of May!
Win it! One reader will win their choice of Pawparazzi Pet Set AND their choice of Celebrity Pet Dress Up Set!
US only ends 5/3
To enter: Mandatory - Visit Pawparazzi and pick out the sets you'd like if you win. Use entry form below for this initial entry.
Extra Entries: For extra entries please click the title of this post for the comment section to appear at the bottom. Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure that your username correlates with your secure entry form.
- Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect - Become a fan of Pawparazzi on facebook - Follow Pawparazzi and Lolidots on Twitter - Tweet (once daily) Win toys from @pawparazzi and @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways
5 entries- Put the Lolidots button on your sidebar 10 entries - Make a purchase from Pawparazzi during this giveaway
There's been a lot of media attention lately on the school lunches in this country. Personally, I find it somewhat appaling. When I was a kid, taking a lunch to school was not only normal, it was fun. It seems that has changed as less and less kids tote their lunch along with them. Something else that's changed, for the better, is the awareness of the need for something more eco-friendly than the plastic sandwich bags that all of our lunches went in as kids.
EasyLunchboxes is a product that, not surprisingly, was invented by a busy mom. The time consuming process of putting lunch together for the kids isn't something fun to deal with. What are the options? Send your best tupperware? Ransack the cabinets to find the right sized containers for all the different items? Send it in the wasteful baggies? This mom knew all of these struggles all too well. What came of it was the EasyLunchboxes system and I love it.
EasyLunchboxes takes food-safe reusable containers and pairs them with roomy cooler bags. One of the things that I love is that once the container is in the bag, there's still plenty of room for a drink, big fruit, utensils and plenty of other stuff. Or, put more than one container in the bag and use it for a picnic with the kiddos!
Another wonderful thing about EasyLunchboxes is the ease of the lids. Now, I'll admit that when the lid didn't click and lock tightly like my other containers, I was concerned. The thing is, these lids fit perfectly and stay closed but, are easy for little fingers to open. Honestly, I have some tupperware that I wouldn't be able to send with my kids to school for fear they wouldn't be able to open it.
Prepare the lunches the night before and let the kids stick them in their bags in the mornings so they feel more involved. Fill containers with dinner leftovers and take them to work. My kids aren't in school yet but, lunchtime can still get hectic around our house. No one wants to eat at the same time and, honestly, I don't want to be in the kitchen for two hours because of different lunch schedules. I make lunches and mark the outsides of the containers with a sticker to let the kids know which container belongs to them. They are able to go in the fridge and get their own lunch when they are ready. A child who feels in charge of things is a happy child!
I'm a definite fan of the entire idea behind EasyLunchboxes and, after sampling the products, I think they are wonderful. I highly recommend EasyLunchboxes to, not only parents but, anyone who eats lunch!
Buy it! You can purchase the super affordable EasyLunchboxes systems from their online site.
Win it! One reader will win an EasyLunchboxes container set and cooler bag in the color of their choice!
US and Canada only ends 5/3
To Enter:Mandatory - Visit EasyLunchboxes and pick your cooler color. Use entry form below for this initial entry.
Extra Entries: For extra entries please click the title of this post for the comment section to appear at the bottom. Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure that your username correlates with your secure entry form.
- Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect - Become a fan of EasyLunchboxes on Facebook - Follow EasyLunchboxes and Lolidots on Twitter - Tweet about this contest and link back here making sure to put @lolidots in your tweet (once daily)
10 entries- Make a purchase from EasyLunchboxes during this giveaway
Everywhere we looked we could see celebrities getting into the spirit of saving our Earth.
There's one you might not have heard of though.
Because, just in time for Earth Day, sweet little Wubbzy went green!
This new adorable Wow Wow Wubbzy! movie has the loveable character teaching kids the importance of being green. My kids are already in love with Wubbzy and this new DVD was well received in our household. It's an amazing thing how a loved character can get kids excited about things and help them to learn in a whole new way. Even my 2 year old now talks about recycling. And, my Earth loving 5 year old is all geared up to save his planet.
Aside from the cute factor and how much kids will love this new DVD, do you want something else to be excited about?
For every "Wubbzy Goes Green" DVD sold, Anchor Bay is donating $1 to ACT (Alliance for Community Trees) to help support the planting of trees in playgrounds and schoolyards across the country. I adore this concept. What better way to give to our school children and their future than by planting trees in their play areas and letting them be a part of something that's fun and wonderful for the future of their Earth. I love this. You know, when I was a kid, our playgrounds did have tons of trees. So did our neighborhoods. It's disheartening to see such a fewer number of trees these days and I love that there are people doing something about it. The special tree planting initiatve with ACT and Wubbzy will continue until May 31, 2010. For more info click here.
I absolutely recommend the Wubbzy cartoon as a kid favorite and, whether you are just starting your collection or adding to it, Wubbzy Goes Green is a must-own DVD!
There are so many great kid-friendly tips for going green. Wubbzy will show the kids many but, here's a few to get you started.
- Take along washable cups or travel mugs instead of disposables. - Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. - Volunteer with community organizations that plant trees like the Alliance for Community Trees!
Buy it! Wubbzy Goes Green is now available on DVD.
Win it! One reader will win their own copy of Wubbzy Goes Green!
US only ends 5/3
To Enter:Mandatory- Visit ACT and tell me one thing you learn there. Please use entry form below for this initial entry.
Extra Entries: Extra Entries: For extra entries please click the title of this post for the comment section to appear at the bottom. Please leave a separate comment for each entry and make sure that your username correlates with your secure entry form.
- Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect - Become a fan of Lolidots on Facebook - Follow Lolidots on Twitter - Tweet (once daily) Win a copy of Wubbzy Goes Green DVD! @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways
5 entries- Put the Lolidots button on your sidebar 10 entries- Blog about how your kids are going green, mention this giveaway and link back here.
