This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Purex. All opinions are 100% mine.

Laundry is a chore that seems never-ending and rather cumbersome so I appreciate any related products that make the process just a little easier and less complicated. Purex has developed this ingenious Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheet which does the work of three products in one. It contains laundry detergent, fabric softener and anti-static, all in one handy dandy thin sheet. So I’ll bet it comes as no surprise that I jumped at the chance to try them out. How could I resist?

It really doesn’t get any easier than this. Simply start your washer, add the sheet and then add your laundry. The detergent will magically be added to your wash. When the wash cycle is finished you can add the sheet to your dryer with the rest of your laundry and the heat will activate the fabric softener and anti-static strip.

After using this on multiple washes I couldn’t tell a difference in the cleanliness of my clothes or the softness when they came out of the dryer. I did notice however how easy they were to use.

My laundry room is already a mess. I have multiple bottles of detergent, liquid fabric softener and boxes of fabric sheets. I have virtually no shelving with which to speak  so my bottles end up on the floor. I purposely to do not buy the over-sized bottles of liquid laundry detergent because I hate trying to pick up and pour out of a bottle that gives me a workout. And even so I’m a bit messy when I pour. I also always have the nice soap residue sprinkled with lint around the top of the washing machine. Don’t let the picture above fool you. I’m creative enough to take a shot that would exclude this embarrassment.

These sheets eliminate all those problems. No more lugging heavy bottles in from our van, no more measuring, no more residue and no possible way my husband could screw it up if he actually did a load of laundry. (Not that I’m holding my breath on that one…)

BUY IT: Check out the store locator to find this product at a retailer near you including Target and Wal-mart.

Don’t forget to get your  free sample to try this out for yourself!

Launched in spring 2008, ecoTOOLS specializes in green personal care products. One of it’s newest collections is a cosmetic brush and bag line by actress Alicia Silverstone that was just launched this past holiday season.  The partnership is a great fit given Alicia is a well known animal welfare and environmental activist. Their goal was to great a functional line that was beautiful and durable, yet environmental friendly.  Just take a look at the gorgeous results below.

Made of natural hemp material and recycled PET lining, the bags also feature a floral design made with non-toxic ink and hang tags printed on tree-free stone paper. (Am I the only one who hadn’t heard of stone paper before? I’m impressed nonetheless!)

I received the ecoTOOLS by Alicia Silverstone Overnight Bag which retails for $19.99.  Not only do I love the overall design, I am in love with the functionality. We just got back from an overnight stay at a local waterpark and this worked beautifully for carrying all of our toiletries. I love that it is flat so it fit into our bags without taking up a lot of room and yet held everything we needed!

I appreciated the clear pockets but my absolute favorite feature is the two removable bags. When we wanted to brush our teeth I only had to grab that single bag instead of the entire overnight bag. It is very easy to attach and unattach.

If you are looking for a practical Valentine’s Day gift, think of the possibilities with this wonderful collection. Not only can you give something that is earth friendly and practical, it features gorgeous flowers. This is a great way to get her thinking of you every time she uses it and you won’t have to watch it wither away! Perfect gift to hint at your spouse or boyfriend or to give to someone special.

Buy it: The ecoTOOLS by Alicia Silverstone collection is affordable at only $8.99-$19.99 for each piece. They are available at Target and Walgreens, online at Amazon or see this full list of EcoTools retailers.

Disclosure: I received a sample for the purpose of this review . This has no bearing on my completely honest review above and was not influenced by any type of monetary compensation. The opinions and experiences I’ve shared with these products are my own and yours may differ.

Looking for some last minute teacher gift ideas or some fabulous stocking stuffers? Expo has some great options that won’t break your bank and are fun, yet practical!

For only $5, this Expo Precision Point Pad Eraser is an educator’s dream. The precision point allows you to erase small amounts and the replaceable eight layer pad allows you to renew your eraser when the ink builds up.  Add the handy feature of a docking station and you’ve got convenient storage at well!

If you are looking for something fun that is sure to get noticed, try the Expo Bright Sticks Wet-Erase Fluorescent Markers. They come in assorted colors and retail for an average of $19. They are individually sealed so you could easily break this set of five markers to spread the fun around. These markers provide clear, bright images on non-porous services and are AP certified non-toxic. Extra-bright, they do require a damp cloth to erase but look fabulous on a black marker board or under a “black light”.  A great option for teens and college students looking for a little more pizazz!

My personal favorite is the Expo Click Retractable Low-Odor Chisel Tip Dry Erase Markers. These are brand new and the first retractable dry erase marker.  Finally, no caps to remove or loose! The chisel tip allows for broad or fine writing and the ink is quick-drying and smear proof. This is a great low cost option at only$6 for a pack of three. Anyone on your holiday gift list would be thrilled to receive this great new product.

I found the Bright Sticks to be fun to write with but a little bit tricky to get the hang of using them. You do have to shake and then press in order to get the ink out the first time. After that it is important to press down at an angle to get a decent amount of ink. I’m also not as much of a fan of the wet-erase style markers. However, this really is unique and is extremely versatile!

The Expo Click however is a hands down favorite. What is not to love about a retractable marker? It is ergonomically designed and writes very smooth. I think I’m in love. I also appreciate how affordable these pens are and plan to give some as a Christmas gift to our Early Childhood Education teachers whom I know will appreciate them!

For every package of EXPO markers sold in the U.S. this November and December, EXPO will donate one marker to the Kids In Need Foundation up to a maximum of 100,000 EXPO markers.

Karen Neuburger has created a lifestyle brand that is comfort-inspired living.  If you are planning to travel this holiday season, check out a couple of great items from Karen sure to help you stay comfortable while you travel and cozy during your stay!

With many airlines are no longer stocking their planes with pillows and blankets or charging a fee, stay warm and comfortable  during your trip with the KN Karne Neuburger Kozy, a modern version of the ever-popular snuggie. With many fun designs to choose from, you can be fashionable and warm above ground and at your destination. ($39)

These KN Karen Neuburger Chenille Lounge Socks would be a great solution for cold feet during your plan ride and make a perfect hostess gift when you arrive! They even feature rubber grippers on the bottom for additional support.  ($15)

These KN Lounge Socks are extra soft and are keeping my tootsies very warm and comfortable here in Minnesota. With hardwoods I especially appreciate the grippers which keep me from slipping and sliding all over the house. You can bet these will be going with me when we travel to my parent’s house, which is also lacking warm carpeting and will be perfect for Christmas morning!

Karen Neuburger products are available at Dillards, Macy’s North, Bon-Ton Stores and online www.karenneuburger.com.

Looking for a great toiletry set for traveling? The EcoTools Green, Clean, Go travel kit includes all of your body essentials while preserving the planet at the same time. This earth-friendly set features a body wash, body lotion, hand lotion, body mist and a small bamboo nail brush. The coolest part? The reusable bag is the perfect size (one quart) for meeting TSA regulations for carrying-on liquids. ($7.99)

Check out the list of retailers currently carrying EcoTools products!

Disclosure: I received a lounge sock sample for the purpose of this review . This has no bearing on my completely honest review above and was not influenced by any type of monetary compensation. The opinions and experiences I’ve shared with these products are my own and yours may differ.

Looking for a great gift for that almost impossible to buy for person? Need some stocking stuffers sure to please everyone? Zebra Pen has a fabulous selection to dazzle everyone on your holiday gift list. Seriously, who doesn’t love a good quality pen? I’m always excited when I can reach for a pen that not only is nice to hold but give me the perfect amount of ink without having to worry about it fading in spots or having to scribble on paper or shake it to get it working again.

I received a great assortment of pens to try and it was hard to narrow down my favorites but here they are!

Sarasa Gel Pens

Product Features: Soft rubber grip provides superb writing comfort and control. Its retractable tip distributes smooth flowing gel ink allowing for a scratch-free write. Translucent barrel provides ink color and supply visibility.

This is Zebra’s #1 selling retractable gel pen and I can see why. My writing just glides and flows on the paper when I use the Sarasa pens. I received the medium point (0.7 mm) which was perfect since I’ve never been a fan of fine point. But my favorite feature of all is the wide array of colors included in this pack. You can get colors to match virtually anything and tailor each pen to the recipient’s personality or favorite color. I used a few of these and attached them to magnetic pads to use as gifts. I was able to use the colors within the notepad and find a pen that matched. Lets face it, how hard is it to find a nice orange or mahogany pen?

Z Grip MAX

Product Features: Translucent wide barrel for ink supply visibility. The extra-large, extra-soft rubber grip allows for ultimate writing comfort. The grip color corresponds to the ink color.

I received a set of three of  the Z Grip Max pens, one in blue, black and red ink and they have become my clear favorite. I love the width and weight of these pens and the rubber grip. It just fits so nicely in my hand. I also love how they write. They are not a gel but the ink is very smooth and I can write a lot without my fingers cramping up. When these run out of ink or I somehow loose them, whichever comes first, this is the pen I’m going to continue buying. I’m just too spoiled now to go back to my cheap pens.

You can find Zebra Pens at many fine national retailers such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kmart, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, Kroger, Albertsons, Meijer and more! Check out their complete list for more options!

The Land of Nod is the type of online shop that I can loose myself in. The kind of shop that makes searching for gifts for my children a breeze and the hardest part simply narrowing down the selection. The Land of Nod started out online with inventory in a basement and has since grown to be a partner of Crate and Barrel with currently four brick and mortar stores. You will find everything from nursery furniture to holiday decor to toys to meal time solutions. The selection is vast and the entire site plays out like eye candy for me! I just can’t get enough.

We got the opportunity to try out the wooden Walk & Roller meant for ages 19 months and up and retailing for $29.00. Doesn’t is just look like fun?

My 22 month old son has had a blast with this toys since the first day we opened it. He loves pushing it around really fast and even his 3 year old brother enjoys getting in on the action. The popping noise created by the wooden balls inside the roller is fairly pleasant, if a bit loud. We don’t own one of the well known plastic poppers so this was a welcome addition to our ever growing toy collection. It has become a fast favorite and the quality tells me it is one I’ll be able to pass down for multiple children to enjoy for years to come.

Be sure to check out all the other wonderful holiday gift ideas available at The Land of Nod for all you last minute shoppers! Here is just a sampling of some of the toys that caught my eye while browsing!

Use the Land of Nod Gift Finder to help narrow down your choices, find free shipping on select toys and check out their 30% off Holiday Sale items!

K’NEX has recently introduced the Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection perfect for little users ages 2-5 and features their favorite Sesame Street characters including Elmo, Cookie Monster and Ernie. With four sets to choose from, these individual sets are designed to coordinate with a building set or used as stand alone.

We received the Ice Cream Truck Building Set which was an instant hit with both my 3 year old and my 21 month old.  It caught my 3 year old’s attention simply because it had wheels and if it has wheels, it is his new favorite toy. My 21 month was thrilled to see his beloved Elmo and immediately stole the character piece. It was nice that this is a toy that both my boys can play with!

The parts are big and chunky which helps my younger one’s ability to build and play. We did however have some issues with keeping the wheels from falling off, not that it seemed to bother them. I liked that the set came with a Play & Learn activity sheet to give me some fun activities. Overall we were pleased with the set and I love that we got something with Elmo that doesn’t have any sound for a change and inspires them to use their imagination to build.

This Ice Cream Truck Set coordinates with the 123 Brownstone Building Set shown below. How fun would it be to deliver ice cream on Sesame Street?

These retail for $9.99-$19.99 and can be purchased directly from K’NEX, Amazon or mass retailers like Target, Wal-Mart and Toys ‘R Us.

Does a chance to win over $1,000 worth of K’NEX Toys and be featured on the KNEX.com web site sound awesome to you?

Simply make a video and include select K’NEX Products and post to your blog or web site. Submit the link along with a completed entry form, including your name, age, email address and phone number to knexvideocontest@knex.com. You can still enter even if you don’t have a blog or website. Just submit the video DVD/VHS along with a completed entry form to: Make a K’NEXion Video Contest, K’NEX Brand L.P., PO Box 700, Hatfield, PA 19440. Please be sure to include a completed entry form with your name, phone number and email address so that they can notify you if you are a winner!

Deadline for entries is December 7th, 2009 and your video must be at least 30 seconds long but no longer than 3 minutes and must include the  K’NEX 400 PC Tub and/or K’NEX Sesame Street Building Sets.

The 10 finalists will be posted on www.knex.com and the K’nex Facebook Fan page and then fans will vote for their favorite video.

Disclosure: I received a sample for the purpose of this review from K’nex through TeamMom. This has no bearing on my completely honest review above and was not influenced by any type of monetary compensation. The opinions and experiences I’ve shared with these products are my own and yours may differ.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products has teamed up with Safeway to promote “better for you” eating choices for kids with a food and beverage line which showcase none other than the Looney Tunes characters. The entire line consists of 60 items over 18 categories and is an offshoot of Safeway’s Eating Right line for adults.

I got the opportunity to try out a few items thanks to Team Mom and I was very pleased with their fruit cups, 100% bottled apple juice and especially loved the Eating Right Kids Chewy Bars in mixed berry. They are a good source of calcium with 6 grams of whole grains per serving and NO high fructose corn syrup. There is even a chocolate layer on the bottom of the bar to make them kid (and adult) friendly.

Some of the other items available include watermelon applesauce, fat free pudding and fruits & veggies snack packs with options like carrots with fat free ranch dressing and apples with peanut butter. While my kids my not be in school yet, it does make me envious of those who have a Safeway nearby in which to purchase these healthier options!

You can find this line at more that 1,700 Safeway locations throughout the U.S. and Canada so be sure to check them out at your local Safeway!

The PlasmaCar is a state of the art ride on toy that is propelled by rotating the steering wheel from left to right continuously. There are no pedals, gears and it is made from high quality ABS plastics which means it is built to last! It has a sleek, modern look and can go 2.8 meters per second. Check out the PlasmaCar website to see it in action!

We got the chance to try out the green PlasmaCar ourselves to see what all the hype was about! Well, now I get it! This an extremely fun and different toy that encourages active play. It can support an adult up to 220lbs so my husband could even try it out, although the heavier the rider the more smooth the surface needs to be.My just turned 3 year old is far from a master at the steering wheel and mostly pedals with his feet but I’m sure by next summer he’ll be zooming through the neighborhood on it.

The only downfall is the need for flatter surfaces if they aren’t easily accessible to your family.  It is  nearly impossible to go up hills and uneven surfaces can leave you standing virtually still. I can only imagine the fun a child could have in a basement with a smooth floor like concrete, a long and smooth driveway or a gymnasium.

Stopping is super easy, simply stop rotating the steering wheel and put your feet down so you needn’t worry about getting out of control.You can even go in reverse by switching the four wheels around.

Overall we are very happy with the PlasmaCar. While the recommended age is 3 and up, some younger kids (my son included) my not use it exactly as it was intended at first but they can still find enjoyment with this toy and grow into it!

You can get your own plasma on Amazon or do a zip code search on the Plasmacar website for retailer near you!

It is no secret that most boys love bugs and would of course enjoy the Step2 Nature Station Playhouse!  This playhouse will encourage your child to explore and discover nature and includes extra accessories to help your child do just that. As you can expect from Step2, it is durably poly constructed so you know this  can be enjoyed for many years to come!

Includes:

• Airy, open playhouse design
• Round window with working shutter
• Molded in sink with swivel faucet
• Features shelf for examining things found in nature
• Plastic shovel, bug collector, butterfly net, lantern, microscope with two slides, tweezers, and binoculars
• Periscope pivots to allow 180 degree viewing

Favorite Features:

The overall look of this set from the leaves on the roof to the tree trunk playhouse is fabulous! It is also gender neutral!

Nature themed accessories are included. This gives children something immediately to spark their imagination!

A window that opens and closes. This is by far the favorite feature of my 1 1/2 year old, Warren.  He loves to open and close it while playing peekaboo.

The swivel sink and periscope. My 3 year old son Lucian loves these the most and washes his hands often. If you come to this playhouse, he will definitely ask you to wash your hands! He also loves looking through the periscope. “I see you mommy!”

Features That Could Be Improved Upon:

The recommended age is three years and up (not that it stopped our youngest from playing). My three year old is on the taller side and might only be able to fit in the house portion for another year or so. A just turned five year old was too tall for it (shown below). It would be nice to be just a little bit higher to allow for a longer life.

I love the planter box. I think it looks great and the idea of being able to plant flowers on the side of the playhouse would add that extra special touch. The problem with the planter box however is the lack of a drainage hole. Our playhouse is sitting under some heavy tree cover so any rain water that collects in there stays without the sun to dry it out. The result is this…

Not only does this look unsightly, my 1 1/2 year old is immediately drawn to it and is constantly trying to splash in the rainwater.

Overall we are very happy with the Step2 Nature Station Playhouse. Both my boys love playing in it and I like that it doesn’t distract from the look of our yard. Lucian has dubbed it his “clubhouse” and both of our little guys run to play in it whenever we go outside. With the quality of this playhouse I know that it will still look great year after year!

You can purchase this directly from the Step2 website and from Amazon

With a company name like Serena & Lily you might be thinking it is a bit odd to be including them in a boy themed celebration. But if you thought that then I’m excited to tell you more about this company and what they have to offer for the boys!

Serena & Lily has a large selection of bedding and coordinating decor, perfect for the little guy in your life! I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to review the duvet from the Asher Collection, shown below. It has a very modern look with chocolate/white rugby stripe with red piping.

Normally I’m not a huge fan of duvets. Every other duvet I’ve owned has never been equipped with the buttons like the Serena & Lily duvets. The down comforter insert that I used constantly shifted and would show at the bottom. Certainly not pleasing to the eye and generally a pain to upkeep.  With very discrete, larger buttons on the backside of my Asher duvet, this hassle is virtually eliminated!

I also have never owned any bedding that reminded me of what you might find in a luxurious hotel. The fabric feels so soft and a bit on the heavier side. It is 230-thread-count 100% cotton sateen and machine washable! The great part with a duvet is you control the insert and therefore control how warm it is, depending upon the season. We couldn’t be happier with our Asher duvet!

Now I just need to get these stylish Red Color Frame Shams to go with it and complete the look!

I also love the collection of letter pillows found at Serena & Lily, especially the red letter pillow which goes perfectly with the Asher collection.

Other boys room collections that I love include the Teddy Collection in chambray and chocolate,

the Nate Collection with an indigo canvas & giant star applique for a fabulous Americana look,

and the Jack Collection in navy and grass (green) stripes.

(This collection happens to be on a final sale clearance so get it before it is gone!)

When you are looking for a change for your son’s (or daughter’s) room, be sure to check out Serena & Lily. They really do try to make the process as easy as possible with fabric swatches, design ideas and paint colors to pull entire room together! You can easily request a Serena & Lily catalog too!

Big Eyed Dummies are designer plush dolls with 2 sets of interchangeable eyes and mouths, perfect for all ages but recommended for ages 2 and up. These dolls are the creation of  David Lispon an animation producer and director who has worked on such shows as Word World and Lizzy McGuire. They are silly and zany and meant to give you a laugh whether you are kid or adult. Each of the six characters available come with a fun background story and comics are available on the site. If that wasn’t enough to get you interested, know they have even  received  the Creative Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice Award.

We got the opportunity to try out the cat, Milton, a self proclaimed safety expert who unfortunately accident prone. He comes with both X- ray and Crazy Cross Eyes and a “I didn’t do it” and  Fishbone mouth.

Both of my boys can easily play with Milton and enjoyed mixing and matching the eyes and mouth. The cat was perfect for my three year old Lucian who loves to pretend he is a cat often! I love how easily the different parts attach with magnets and they line up perfectly. Even my 18 month old immediately figured out how to play with Milton and enjoys cuddling him as well since his fur is so soft.

The only downside could be losing the extra parts since there isn’t a pouch or extra magnets on the plush to hold the additional set of eyes and mouth. Overall though we are very pleased with this unique toy!

To meet the Big Eyed Dummies creator and see them in action, check out this short video.

Big Eye Dummies is giving away a free doll every month! To enter simply become a fan of Big Eye Dummies on Facebook. Further instructions are provided on the site. They can also be purchased from Big Eyed Dummies directly  for only $19.99.

Have you heard about pebble.com? It is a comparison site that makes online shopping just that much easier. A unique feature found on Pebble.com is a very helpful questions and answers forum. You can ask other Pebble users questions to help you decide if a product is right for you and questions by other shoppers are also clearly visible on each product page.

I’m currently in the market for a new printer and thought pebble.com would be the perfect place to comparison shop. It is long overdue and if you saw this post from earlier in the year you would understand why. I simply entered printer in the search box and several different brands and models appeared. The great part was the wide selection of brands and models which can easily be narrowed down and the long list of businesses with which to purchase them from. I also appreciated the star rating system and the low price or top rated labels to the left of each listing.

One downside to this service I discovered was occasionally the lowest listed price item was out of stock or actually a refurbished item. I was however pleasantly surprised when I came across a printer currently on sale from Best Buy that required you to place the item in your cart to view the sale price. (I hate that don’t you?) Pebble showed the true sale price!

I finally settled on this HP OfficeJet J4580 All-In-One Inkjet Printer. I think it will suit our needs nicely and is a very reasonable price. I  look forward to at long last being able to print at a decent speed and quality, not to mention the other features like copying and scanning!

Be sure to try out pebble.com the next time you need help before you shop!

Both of my boys are huge fans of Bob the Builder and have been for a while. We were recently able to add to our collection thanks to Hit Entertainment and Lionsgate with the DVDs shown below.

Have you noticed the latest trend of including something additional with DVDs? The newest Bob the Builder DVDs don’t disappoint and include bonuses like a lunchbox or collectible toys vehicles. I not only appreciate the free gift because my kids love them but because finding Bob the Builder merchandise in the stores isn’t easy. Bob the Builder has been out for quite a while and the market on the toys seems to somehow have dried up. I love getting  them free with the DVD.  Another bonus is the sleeker, thinner case that accompanies DVDs which include toys. While others might find it annoying,  I’m running out of room in our entertainment center.  I can fit 2-3 of these slimmer cases to the normal size!

And let’s not forget we are talking about Bob the Builder here. The characters are likable, if somewhat frustrating at times (like Spud) and the stories keep both me and my boys entertained. (Who else is also waiting for Bob and Wendy to finally become an item?) If you haven’t gotten a Bob the Builder DVD in recent years you should try them again. I’ve noticed some subtle changes from the older DVDs like Lofty being a little less tentative. He is more sure of himself when he says, “Yeah, I think so…” in response to “Can we fix it?”

Here are some great new choices to add to your own Bob the Builder collection and would make a great gift!

Bob the Builder Lunchbox Gift Set (Three-pack)

The Big Game – Bob and his machine team are ready to play! Prepping for the big soccer match, a line-marking machine suddenly runs amok. Can the Can-Do Crew fix it in time for the opening whistle? Yes, they can! Then it’s off to the tennis courts to serve up more fun!

Celebrate With Bob – Looks like Bob is in for a busy, busy day! There’s a dance contest, a surprise birthday party, a really messy office and a broken computer, but it’s all in a day’s work for our favorite Can-Do builder.

Can We Fix It? – It’s harvest time and there’s plenty to do: Farmer Pickle’s barn is about to collapse and needs repair before the impending rainstorm, Travis gets stuck in the mud, a golf course needs constructing and Bob builds himself right into a windmill!

This can be purchased at Amazon for a reduced price of $17.98 and it qualifies for super saver shipping! Other lunchbox sets available include: Barney, Thomas & Friends, and Carebears.
,

Bob the Builder: Call In the Crew!

Join Bob, Muck, Scoop and Roley, in 5 exciting, action-packed episodes! Watch and learn as Bob and his Can-Do Crew build a house, open a new café, fix an old gate and help a family of ducks. See how teamwork and fun go hand-in-hand in these building adventures.

Episodes include:

• Massive Muck

• Roley’s Moleys

• Scoop Slips Up

• Scrambler’s Seaweed Delivery

• Muck’s Convoy

Bob the Builder: Call in the Crew! includes a free child’s admission to LEGOLAND Park where kids can see Bob the Builder’s brand new 4-D movie (LEGOLAND California and LEGOLAND Chicago)!

This currently available on Amazon for only $9.99 and also qualifies for super saver shipping.

Bob the Builder: Built for Fun

Team up with Bob the Builder and the Can-Do Crew in five fun-tastic episodes as they build a radio station complete with a sky-high broadcast tower, play skidsies with Roley and Muck, design greenhouses out of recycled material and much, much more. Alongside Bob, Scoop, Benny and the rest of the team, kids see that they can accomplish anything with a Can-Do attitude.

Episodes include:

• “Radio Bob”

• “Super Slasher”

• “Roley Brings the House”

• “Silent Scoop”

• “Scrambler Gets Prepared”

This can also be found on Amazon for only $9.99 and free super saver shipping!

We got the opportunity to try out two new videos from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment available on DVD September 1, 2009. Both are perfect to get ready for Halloween and were a hit at my house!

Shaun the Sheep recently won an International Emmy Award for Children & Young People.  On the Disney Channel you can see five minute shorts of the series but only the DVDs have full length episodes.

SYNOPSIS:

What’s black and white and goes bump in the night? Don’t be scared – it’s your woolly friend, Shaun the Sheep! Join Shaun as he leads his fearless flock through six adventures that mix the spooky, the kooky, and the just plain funny. A troublesome tractor, freaky farm noises and sleepwalking sheep are only a few of the weird and wonderful surprises waiting for Shaun and his barnyard pals as they creep, sneak and make mayhem in this laugh-filled collection.

“Little Sheep of Horrors” - Intrigued by a horror film on TV, Timmy wanders into the Farmer’s House, and Shaun’s rescue mission wreaks panic.

“Abracadabra” - When the Farmer decides to throw out his magic set, Shaun decides to put on a show – but things get out of hand when the flock start disappearing!

“Things That Go Bump” - On a dark and stormy night the flock cannot sleep – Shaun discovers the culprits.

“Heavy Metal Shaun” - The farmer inspects the lawn with a metal detector. When Shaun and Bitzer try it, they discover a metallic threat behind a hedge.

“Troublesome Tractor” - The tractor seems to be ready for the scrap heap and the farmer wishes he could afford to buy a new one. So the sheep overhaul it…

“Sheepwalking” - It is a peaceful night at the farm, until Shaun starts to walk in his sleep. The Flock cannot resist their natural instinct to follow, and chaos soon ensues.

We just watched Shaun the Sheep for the first time today and I’ll admit I didn’t know what to expect and was a little skeptical that it would be age appropriate or something my 3 year old son would enjoy. But he was excited to watch the “sheep movie” as he called it. The entire DVD isn’t Halloween focused but the first three episodes definitely work for Halloween. Lucian told me it was “kinda scary” as I sat and watched him with it. I asked if he liked it and he emphatically said, “Yes!” I found myself enjoying the episodes as well. They certainly are smart but silly sheep.  I think the best compliment this DVD could get was my son asking to watch it again as soon as it was over!

You can pre-order Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors on Amazon for only $10.99 and it qualifies for super saver shipping!

SYNOPSIS

The thrills start with Thomas & Friends^™ in a ghostly adventure. Bob The Builder^™ and Spud put on scary faces to protect a giant pumpkin pie from hungry crows. Barney^™ and Fifi learn that there’s more to a costume than just dressing up. Angelina Ballerina^™ sneaks into a costume ball and Fireman Sam^™ saves a furry friend from a chilling experience. Enjoy the season’s sweetest collection of Trick or Treat Tales!

Thomas & Friends – “Flour Power!”

Barney & Friends^™ – “Guess Who?”

Bob the Builder – “Trix’s Pumpkin Pie”

Fifi and the Flowertots – “Pirate Primrose”

Angelina Ballerina – “The Costume Ball”

My favorite part of this collection is that it is just that.  A collection of different shows, some of which we wouldn’t normally watch but got a chance to check out. Of course we enjoyed the Bob the Builder and Thomas and Friends episodes the most but they are some of our favorite shows. Overall we really enjoyed this DVD as well, although Shaun the Sheep Little Sheep of Horrors was the big winner of the two. I think mostly because it is something different.

You can pre-order HIT Favorites: Trick or Treat Tales on Amazon for only $10.49 and this also qualifies for super saver shipping!

Thank you to Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment for the opportunity to review these DVDs with my boys!

N Circle Entertainment, a sales, marketing and distribution company of family friendly entertainment, was kind enough to send me two DVDs recently to review. We received Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog DVD immediately before our week long vacation at a log cabin so I included them while packing just in case. I am so glad I did.

While these two DVDs may have been a little old for both my children, they worked great for my sister’s kids, especially my almost 5 year old nephew Christian. He has always been a huge fan of Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros so I figured they might go over well. That was an understatement. Since many of our days were rainy he asked to watch these every chance he got. Needless to say I was more than happy to let him keep them after the trip was over!

Here is some more information so you can learn a little bit more about them. They retail for only $6.99 on Amazon so they are a great value!

Super Mario Brothers Super Show!: Off The Map

Synopisis: Bad Rap – Koopa kidnaps the King of Rapland where everyone speaks in rap rhyme. It’s up to the rapping Marios to save the day.
Too Hot to Handle – Koopa has imprisoned the Fire God of Lavalava Land and forces the natives to sacrifice the Princess Toadstool to the local volcano.
Mighty McMario and the Pot of Gold – When a Leprechaun our heroes meet in Shamrock Land asks them to help recover his pot o’gold coins stolen by Koopa, the Marios can only say yes.
Elvin Lives – The Marios, the Princess, and Toad arrive in Sock Hop Land to save the music king Elvin Parsley from Greaser Koopa.
Crocodile Mario - Our heroes arrive in Down Under Land and have to save the Outback Mushroom People from Kangaroo Koopa and an army of crocodiles.

Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog: Robots Attack!

Synopsis: Grounder the Genius – When Hacker, an adolescent computer whiz, steals a super-intelligence program from Robotnik’s computer, Sonic has to protect him, smashing Grounder to pieces. But when Grounder puts himself together, he accidentally installs the intelligence program. Now that Grounder is a genius, he invents a petrifying ray, turns Sonic to stone, and Hacker and Tails come to the rescue.
Sno Problem – When Scratch and Grounder use Robotnik’s new Slo-Mo Ray Gun to capture Sonic, Tails rescues him by reversing the gun and turning it on a tribe of friendly Tree Sloth People who become a high speed commando strike force against Robotnik.
Full Tilt Tails – Robotnik invents an electron altering generator which makes Scratch and Grounder twice as fast as Sonic. When they lose it and Tails picks it up, Tails speeds through the Mobius countryside leaving disasters and accidents in his wake. Seeing this, Robotnik convinces the villagers that the little fox belongs in jail, and Tails is forced to flee.
Coachnik – Robotnik invents a robot coach, the Coachnik, to put Scratch and Grounder through a Training Camp to improve their skills. Then Coachnik puts a bomb in Grounder’s head as a booby trap for Sonic, and a football game ensues with Grounder’s head as the ball.