ABCMouse Review & Giveaway

ABC Mouse offers a full online curriculum for preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten in the subjects of reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music. Children can start anywhere and move through the curriculum at their own pace! ABC Mouse has won numerous awards, including the Parent's Choice, Teacher's Choice, and Mom's Choice GOLD awards! 

There are six different levels for your child to work on. Each level contains items to engage your child in learning curriculum to prepare them for their first year of school. 

Having a 5 year old in the house that has some mild developmental delays, ABCmouse is a creative way to create an easy and fun way to teach him some of the basics that he will need for starting kindergarten in the fall. He was thrilled with the puzzles and songs on the website. The best part for me, the parent, is that I can customize my child's learning experience based on their strengths and weaknesses.

By providing a learning experience and fun, ABCmouse actually allowed me to spend a little more time with my child.

One lucky reader will win a One Free Year Subscription to ABCmouse.com. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Please 

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Disclosure
This was a sponsored post by thebloggerconnection.com. As always, all opinions are my own.

Dial Kids Body and Hair Wash

Ages 2+

I recently received two bottles of Dial for Kids Body and Hair Wash. The first bottle was for children aged 2 to 5. This body wash is perfect for a young child that is too old for a baby shampoo but not old enough for a full strength body wash. The tear free formula is gentle on the child's skin and eyes!

The scent of the Dial Kids (2+) is a light peach scent. I truly love the scent since it is fresh and not an overwhelming artificial scent. The body wash lathers nicely my child's skin but rinses off easily, leaving my child clean and smelling lightly of peaches.

Ages 6+

The second bottle that I received is designed for children aged 6 and over. Dial has formulated the older children's formula with a mild cleansing formula that will not dry out your child's skin and has created scents that are more fun for the an older child.

The bottle of Dial Kids (6+) that I received was the Watery Melon scent. The scent smells similar to a watermelon candy that I grew up with. It is a very fruity and somewhat strong watermelon scent. The bottle is a bright green color that immediately attracted all of the kids in my house.

Both varieties of Dial Kids Body and Hair Wash were a big hit in my house. I loved that the younger version had a light scent and was a tear free formula. There is nothing worse than a crying kid with soap in their eyes. The 6+ version was also fun. The brightly colored bottle was an instant attraction to the kids and the scent was fun and inviting.

Both Versions of Dial Kids Body and Hair Wash are:

• Hypoalergenic
• Tear Free
• Have no artificial dyes or parabens added
• pH balanced for skin

Disclosure: I was provided the products described above at no charge to facilitate my review. As always,all of the opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Toughhound Personalized Dog Collar

Phone number blurred for privacy

When I moved into my house nearly twenty years ago, the local animal community learned my weakness. All of the stray animals turned up on my front porch knowing that I would not turn them away. After years of bringing in lost and injured animals, getting them treatment, and finding their owners, I finally ended up keeping one of them.

Zoe showed up on in my driveway one day while I was gone. My daughter called saying there was a small dog in the driveway and she thought she had been hit by a car. I had my daughter take her in to our vetranarian. Unfortunately, she was not hit by a car, but what the victim of abuse and neglect.

I posted fliers and articles in the paper and never located her owners. I was really hoping that maybe she snuck out and was injured after she left. After three months of looking for her previous owners, I decided to find her a new home. I knew that she was small and would make a great pet for my step-father who was home bound. Unfortunately, my step-father passed away. So Zoe has taken over my home.

Zoe is now the unofficial mascot of my small community. She spends the night with my grandson regularly and is randomly taken for a day at a time by several other community members for a day of playing with their kids. Since she loves to go visit with everyone, I thought it would be a good idea for her to have a collar with her name and my number just in case she wandered off.

I received her Toughhound collar and was very impressed. The pink is a nice neon pink, that stands out against her dark hair. The engraving is more of a laser engraving versus etched so there are no rough edges caused by the engraving. The collar is also true to size. Zoe is a small dog (about 12 pounds) and her collar fits perfectly. I initially was concerned that the collar would not be flexible enough for her small little neck. It turned out that the Toughhound collar is very flexible.

The engraved portion is actually riveted in place on the collar. When i thought about it, it seemed a little strange since the dog's information would not hang lower on the neck like a traditional name tag. However, I did find an advantage to this. The buckle is the heaviest part of the collar, so it drops to the front of the dogs neck. That leaves the name plate up near the top of the dog's neck making it visible all of the time. I also decided that if for any reason my dog wore out her Toughhound collar (VERY unlikely) The name plate could be easily inserted onto another collar by weaving the new collar through the name plate. 

I can really see the benefits in this collar for a sporting dog. I think that the Toughhound collar would be the perfect product for my Labrador that lives in the mud and water. I also think that the bright colors are great for a hunting dog to make them easy to see.

Zoe hiding after I put her Toughhound collar on

There is a little weight to the collar caused by the buckle. That does not bother me, but it clearly was not a big hit with Zoe. She immediately ran and buried herself under a blanket. Don't worry, this is normal behavior for her with a collar. If I pull out her harness, she bounces out of hiding, knowing that she is going for a car ride.

Some Pro's:

• Easy to clean (just wipe off the mud)
• Bright color makes the collar easy to see
• No sharp edges
•  True to size fit

Some con's:

• A little heavy for a smaller size dog

Disclaimer: I received the product described above free of charge to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

L'Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

I have never been a huge fan of liquid foundations. I have always preferred to use a light weight moisturizer and a loose powder. Why? I have found that I have such an odd skin tone, that I turn orange with liquid foundations.

 When I first opened my  L'Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream and plut some on my finger, I was very surprised to see the product was white. Not orange, yellow, or tan. I could see miniscule beads inside the thin cream. My immediate thought was that this was going to be too light for my skin.

After my first use, I was hooked.  L'Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream goes on smooth and provides a nice even coverage. It blends perfectly with my skin color and does not leave the dreaded make-up line. It leaves a nice matte look on my face, not a greasy look, and definitely has enough coverage to hide some of my facial flaws.

L'Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream costs under $12, is available in four shades, and is sold at mass food and drug retailers nationwide.

About L'Oréal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream: This product gives the sheer coverage needed to create a natural bare skin finish, while delivering built-in skincare benefits. With four beautifying actions, this all-in-one innovation primes and smoothes, perfects to hide flaws, hydrates all-day, and corrects and evens skin. The product is infused with skincare ingredients like Panthenol, Vitamin E and Glycerin for 24-hour moisturization.

 

Disclaimer: I received the product described about at no charge to facilitate this review. All opions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

Dial Coconut Water Body Wash Review and Sweepstakes

 

If you like the smell of coconut, you will love the smell of the new Dial Coconut Water Body Wash. It has a light fresh scent that reminds me of a tropical beach. The combination of coconut water and bamboo leaf extract leave your skin clean and hydrated and your senses soothed. It is also gentle enough to use on the entire family. Dial Coconut Water Body Wash is a great way to fight winter dry skin.

If you would like, you can run to the Dial Facebook page and say that Grammy2Kaiden sent you. Or you can enter their sweepstakes by clicking here. One lucky winner will win $1000 and 250 winners will receive a free bottle of Dial Coconut Water Body Wash.

Disclaimer: I received the product described above free of charge to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

Dry Idea AdvancedDry

For the last several years, I have used a clinical strength deodorant to prevent excessive sweating. I have also purchased a clinical strength anti-antiperspirant for my daughter who is allergic to her own sweat.

I have been using new Dry Idea AdvancedDry for the last few weeks. I started to use Dry Idea AdvancedDry when I began working 12 hour shifts that involved running and a very warm climate.
I was very surprised to see that I did not sweat visibly on my clothing and that I remained odor free the entire 12 hours.

My only issue with the new Dry Idea AdvancedDry..... My husband thinks that it is just as amazing as I do and tries to hide it from me!

The new formula has:

• Advanced protection that lasts for 72 hours
• Pulse activated wetness protection
• Vitamin E for a smooth application
• Available in a Hypoallergenic Formula also

 Dry Idea is hosting a sweepstakes that will give one lucky winner $500 and 10 additional winners will receive $50. You can go to the Dry Idea Facebook page and enter for your chance to win.


Disclaimer: I received a free sample of the product above to facilitate my review. As usual, all opinions are my own.

Honey Bunches of Oats Tropical Blends Review

As a mom, I am always looking for a cereal that my children will eat that is not loaded with sugar and dyes. Over the last year, I have discovered Honey Bunches of Oats cereal and my entire family loves it. Post has added a new flavor to the Honey Bunches of Oats family. The new flavor is Honey Bunches of Oats, Tropical Blend.

My entire family loved the new Tropical Blends flavor. Even the 4 year old went wild over it. I love that it does not have unnecessary ingredients that are found in many other cereals out there.  Here is just a few benefits to Honey Bunches of Oats Fruit Blends - Mango Coconut:

• Four nutritious grains: rice, wheat, oats and corn
• Heart healthy** (0g trans fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol per serving)
  
• 10g of whole grain per serving^†
• 9 essential vitamins and minerals

 The flavor is a new way to add a twist to your morning routine. If you hurry you can enter the new Tropical Trio Sweepstakes. Purex, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Outrigger Hotels and Resorts are joining forces to send one lucky winner on a tropical paradise vacation to Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach! It is quick and easy to enter. Click here for your chance!



Disclaimer: I received the product described above from Purex Insiders. All opinions are my own.

Purex Crystals Now for Your Baby

For the last year or so I have used Purex Crystals to freshen my laundry. They are easy to use and I love that they freshen my clothes without an overpowering scent.

Purex has released a new way to add a gentle freshness to your laundry and just in time for the new baby in my home.

• Purex Crystals for baby have a gentle baby fresh scent. 
• Are Hypoallergenic. 
• Contain no dyes. 
• Are made up of 87% natural ingredients.

I am very happy with the fresh baby scent of the new Purex for baby. My clothes are clean and have a light fresh scent that lasts for several days after washing. Knowing that Purex Crystals will not destroy the fire retardent on my children's pajamas and will not bother their gentle skin makes me feel like I am am doing something better for my children.

 Enter to win a FREE 1 year subscription to Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Winners get a whole year free of intelligent, enjoyable articles on design, individual style, gardening, food, and more; courtesy of Purex Crystals for Baby.

Walmart is now carrying Purex Crystal for baby. Check them out for yourself. 


Disclaimer: I received the product above from Purex Insiders to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.

Hair Shadz Review

I am prone to sunburn and no matter how much sunscreen I use, I always end up finding a sunburned scalp after a day in the sun. Why would I ever think that my scalp would burn with all of the hair that I have?

Sun Shadez  has created a product that is designed to protect your scalp from harmful UV rays. It is made with a SPF 15 to help protect your scalp from those harmful rays that can cause melanoma. It is easy to use but takes a little time to work in to your scalp. Here is the best part. Sun Shadez are 100% Natural, Dermatologist Tested and can be refilled.

It took me a little time to get to test out Sun Shadez. First, I live in a gray gloomy climate. Second, I have been inside a hospital for 12 hours a day for the entire month of February. Now that I have broke free and the sun has emerged, I have had a chance to thoroughly test Sun Shadez. 

The product is a light weight powder that comes in a small container with a brush applicator. It applies easily to your hair and scalp, but it does need to be rubbed in a little bit to keep it from being visible in your hair. The container that Sun Shadez comes in is handy to tuck in your purse or leave on your counter in your bathroom for easy use. The lid initially seemed difficult to put back on without damaging the brush, but I quickly discovered that the container expanded tucking the brush away safely for easy lid replacement.

Overall, I was happy with the ease of application. It also did provide me a little comfort knowing I would not have a sore head from a sun burn when I ran my hair brush through my hair. Besides, it never hurts to take an extra step in preventing skin cancer, especially when it is easy to do.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.