Author Archive for valmg

Hershey’s Better Basket Blog Hop To Support Children’s Miracle Network

I’ve known Connie Foggles online for quite some time. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet her in person at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration last month. I haven’t included myself in tons of pictures on my blog (or anywhere else) because of my weight. It’s been that way for years, I just don’t like looking at myself in pictures. Which is why I was surprised that Connie knew me by sight. Anyway. Connie surprised me yesterday by sending me a virtual Easter basket. Now this wasn’t your average virtual Easter basket, this was a special basket.

The basket Connie sent me is part of the Hershey’s Better Basket Blog Hop, which is a campaign where Hershey’s will donate $10 per each blog participating to the Children’s Miracle Network. The Better Basket Blog Hop starts today and will end on April 4, 2010.

Thanks for including me in this Connie! To pay it forward I would like to give a virtual basket to the following bloggers.

Pat. @ Here And There

Chatbug Karen

Jennifer @ The Dirty Shirt

I hope you’ll take a moment to hop over to their blogs when you have a free minute and say hi. They’re all fantastic women.

Thanks again to Connie, for including me in this. And thanks to Hershey’s and the folks at Collective Bias, for putting the campaign together. You can participate if you like, just follow the guidelines below.

HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES

Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).
Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

Mar 18, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Elmo’s Monster Maker App Review

elmos monster maker app

CJ loves Elmo. When I got the opportunity to try a new app called Elmo’s Monster Maker I couldn’t pass it up.

Description - Elmo wants you to make a monster friend! It’s easy! Choose a monster body and touch its face to give it eyes, nose and a hat—there are lots and lots and lots to choose from. When you’re done, Elmo will dance and play with your monster! This is going to be so much fun!

I thought it was cute, he loved it. When you open the app Elmo tells you how to play the game. This isn’t really a game, per se, it’s just a fun thing to play with if you’re an Elmo fan. Everything is done with the tap of a finger. In the beginning Elmo instructs the player to choose one of five monsters to make, or finish/decorate. You then see your monster. Your monster needs eyes and a nose, and a hat if you choose. Tap the area where the nose goes and a nose appears. Tap again and it’s a different nose. Keep tapping, there’s a few of them. The same applies for eyes and hats. Once you’ve completed your monster you can either watch it dance to one of four songs or take a picture that goes into your library. CJ had a lot of fun playing with this one. I thought it was cute. The only thing I don’t like is that when you press the camera button all you see is a bright light. I actually thought that since my iPod has no camera that I wasn’t getting monster pictures. It wasn’t until I checked the photo library that I found all of the monster pictures. All in all it’s a fun app that your monster lover will love.

Buy Elmo’s Monster Maker on iTunes.

elmos monste rmaker app faces

This app was provided to me as a member of the Game Review Network for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been compensated in any other way and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Mar 17, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

Not Happy With Your Ear Buds?

buycom qelectronics earbuds

Every member of our family has an iPod. Something we all agree upon is that the ear buds that come with the iPhone stink. You know, those little roundish white ones? They are not comfortable to wear and the sound quality is not what I would call exceptional. TJ recently told me he wanted to get a pair of in ear ear buds for when he’s on the bus or exercising, partially for sound quality and partially because the originals don’t stay in his ears. I started for looking for something reasonable.

I didn’t have to look far before I found a good prospect on sale at Buy.com. These ear buds come with three different sized ear tips, so you can get a fit you’re happy with. If you’ve ever tried in ear ear buds then you know the better the fit the better the sound. That’s part of what keeps background noise out. These come on a one meter long PVC cord. The only thing they don’t come with that would be helpful is a small case but for this price I could do without a case.

The Q:Electronics Noise-isolating Ear Buds regularly sell for $14.99. They are currently selling for $5.99, and are eligible for free shipping. They’re available in black and silver.

Mar 17, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Wordless Wednesday - Small Interruption Of The Work Day

firetruck at work

Thanks for stopping by! If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below on Mr. Linky! Then head on over to From Val’s Kitchen, Game Review Network, Here And There, What’s That Smell, Wordless Wednesday, Go Graham Go, 5 Minutes for Mom and The Not-So-Blog Blog for more wordless fun!

Mar 17, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

XBox Live 12 Month Gold Subscription Deal

xbox live 12 month subscription card packaging

We love video games in our house. We all like different ones. TJ’s favorite is the Xbox. He wanted an Xbox for a long time. When he finally got an Xbox 360 last Christmas he immediately informed us that he “needed” Xbox Live, so that he could play online games with his friends. It does other things to, such as allow users to download games, share photos, chat with voice and/or video, create your own avatar, check out game demos and use Netflix. You can even access Facebook and Twitter with it. So I bought him a year subscription and put it to the back of my mind. It actually slipped my mind until I received an email reminding me that it was expiring. The renewal price for the Xbox Live 12 Month Gold Subscription? $49.99. A bit high for my discretionary spending budget of $0 so I started hunting.

I found what I was looking for at Buy.com. They had the 12 month gold subscription on sale for $34.99 plus free shipping, a nice savings for folks on a budget like me. I ordered it and it arrived in about a week. It arrived with three days to spare before the existing subscription ended. TJ was very happy he got to renew and I was very happy I saved some money. If you’re looking for an Xbox Gold 12 Month Subscription be sure to check Buy.

Mar 16, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

No Better Deal Contest

No Better Deal Contest

“There’s NoBetterDeal” Contest - Enter to Win a 32” TV!

NoBetterDeal.com is inviting you to join in the Twitter Meme started in December (“There’s #NoBetterDeal Than____”) and you could win a 32” Television from NoBetterDeal.com!

Here’s more info.

Let us know what falls under a “NoBetterDeal” for you, and we’ll show you the best deals on the internet! There’s NoBetterDeal than that! Just fill out the form, and we’ll handle the rest. (CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE TO GO TO THE FORM.)

Want an extra entry? We hoped so – all you have to do is get your creative juices flowing and put your idea in the form of an image or video! Once you get your multimedia witticisms uploaded, point us in the right direction on the entry form so we’ll know it’s yours. Simply enter the URL in the “Address to Your Media” field.

This post was written as part of a Global Influence campaign. It has not been monetarily compensated however I have received an entry into a drawing in exchange for my participation.

Mar 15, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

7-Eleven Wake-Up Call Contest

7-11 wake-up call

I love coffee, I have it every morning. When I used to work a bit North of here I started drinking 7-Eleven coffee every day, because they were right across the street. If you’re one of the folks whose morning must include a trip to 7-Eleven then this contest is for you.

The 7-Eleven Wake-up Call Contest asks consumers like you to a 30-second video showcasing a glimpse of what their life would be like without 7-Eleven coffee as part of their day. All videos can uploaded to the Wake-up Call tab at www.facebook.com/7Eleven and once videos are posted, fans will be allowed to vote once a day for their favorite video.

The creator of the video with the most votes will win the grand prize of $7,011. The top ten runners-up will receive coupons for one free coffee a week for an entire year. AND… just for entering a video, you will receive a buy-one-get-one free coupon for any hot beverage at 7-Eleven.

Mar 15, 2010 | 2 comments | View Post

100 - An Announcement And Time For Audience Participation

272 drs scale

It’s official! I’VE OFFICIALLY LOST 100 POUNDS!

Actually I’ve lost 102 pounds. I went to the surgeon’s office this afternoon for a fill. I cried when I saw the scale. Then I jumped off the scale, grabbed my phone and jumped back on to take a picture. I was on a scale that said I’d lost 100 when I left for Disney Social Media Moms Celebration a few weeks ago but I don’t consider any weight official unless it comes from the surgeon’s scale. I’m less than one year out of surgery. I’m more than half way to my goal and I am so excited! I feel like I’ve had about fifty cups of extra caffeinated coffee. I just want to run in the streets and yell. Do you think the neighbors would mind?

So here’s a question for you. Hence the audience participation part.

I haven’t bought any new clothes since surgery except for a single pair of jeans. My underwear and pants are literally falling off of me. Last time I bought underwear there were only like two kinds. I was in the store today and now there are like fifty. What kind of underwear should I buy? Think comfy.

Mar 15, 2010 | 29 comments | View Post

Scooby-Doo Mystery Sweepstakes

scooby sweeps banner

WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS LAUNCHES SCOOBY-DOO MOVIE MYSTERY SWEEPSTAKES

Fans can enter to win a trip for four to the set of the new Scooby-Doo movie!

Burbank, Calif., March 12, 2010 - Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) today announced the Scooby-Doo Movie Mystery Sweepstakes in support of the highly successful Scooby-Doo! Zoinks Points program, offering fans a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to visit the set of the new live-action Scooby-Doo movie.

Fans of Scooby-Doo can visit www.ScoobyDooSweeps.com and enter by March 31, 2010. The grand prize winner and three guests will win a trip to Los Angeles and have the opportunity to take a VIP tour of the set of the new Scooby-Doo movie, experience the excitement of filmmaking first hand, view actual film sets and possibly meet the cast. The top 10 first-prize packages will include a Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins DVD and a Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS version of the Scooby-Doo First Frights game.

The new Scooby-Doo film is a follow-up to last fall’s hit Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins and features the returning cast of Nick Palatas (Shaggy), Kate Melton (Daphne), Hayley Kiyoko (Velma) and Robbie Amell (Fred).

Scooby-Doo Zoinks Points, a consumer rewards program available at www.zoinkspoints.com, is the first program of its kind. It offers fans the opportunity to download and access free, exclusive online content with the purchase of all Scooby-Doo licensed products. Users have access to a vast and ever-expanding collection of online and downloadable content, including custom Scooby-Doo online games, video clips, wallpapers, screen savers, podcasts and more.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

Mar 15, 2010 | 3 comments | View Post

Lego The Adventures Of Clutch Powers DVD Review - With Giveaway

lego adventures of clutch powers dvd cover

Lego The Adventures Of Clutch Powers

Available on DVD and digital download on February 23, 2010
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Run Time: 82 minutes
Official site http://www.curiousgeorge.com/

Synopsis - For the first time ever, see the creative world of LEGO® come to life in the all-new feature-length DVD movie. Meet Clutch Powers, the best builder and explorer in the LEGO®universe as he heads off on his most dangerous mission yet. Join Clutch and his team of LEGO®experts as their adventure leads them from LEGO® City to the Space Police prison planet to the medieval world of Ashlar where they must help the rightful heir to the King’s throne find the courage to regain the kingdom from the evil wizard Mallock the Malign. Their brick-building skills will be put to the ultimate test as they face off against Mallock’s skeleton army. Get ready for an action-packed adventure like nothing you have ever seen before, The Adventures of Clutch Powers!

CJ liked the graphics a lot. I found the story to be part Indiana Jones and part Star Wars. I loved the bits of humor that were incorporated into the storyline. “Let me get your legs. I’m not half the man I used to be.” “She brings extra hair.” I loved when one character chastised another for not following the directions when a piece was left over after building a structure. Despite the fact that they were “bad guys” I really thought the skeleton Lego characters looked cool. It was really neat to see so many of the Lego pieces I’ve seen over many years used in the film, as everything in the film was made of Legos.

DVD TRAILER

WPvideo 1.10

WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive their own copy of the Lego The Adventures Of Clutch Powers DVD.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me who you’d use this prize for if you won.

BONUS ENTRIES

1 - Subscribe to my newsletter. (sidebar)
1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed. (sidebar)
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here. (sidebar)
1 - Tweet this giveaway.
1 - Friend me on Facebook (sidebar)
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati (sidebar) AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Friend me using Google FriendConnect. (bottom right of page)
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog. (bottom of page)
1 - Visit Game Review Network and leave a comment on any post there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned there. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.
1 - Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Sunday 03/21/10 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Mar 14, 2010 | 32 comments | View Post

Curious George 2 Follow That Monkey DVD Review - With Giveaway

curious george 2 follow that monkey dvd cover

Curious George 2 Follow That Monkey DVD

Available on DVD on March 2, 2010
Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Universal Studios
Run Time: 81 minutes

Press Release - Universal City, California (January 12, 2010) – Buckle up for an unforgettable experience when Curious George and his friends embark on a hilarious madcap cross country adventure in Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey, an all-new feature-length animated film available only on DVD on March 2, 2010 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Filled with the delightful antics, gentle humor and heartfelt emotion that have captivated the hearts of families around the world, Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey includes a menagerie of entertaining bonus features: Two never-before-seen shows from the all-new TV season on PBS that does not air until Fall 2010, a brand new interactive game, an exclusive music video and more. Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey is priced at $19.95 SRP.

As an added savings value to consumers for a limited time, a $5 grocery cash check card mail-in offer will be included in DVD copies of Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey and the purchase of the DVD includes an instant $3 savings towards any Curious George catalog, TV or DVD title purchased in tandem.

In this sidesplittingly funny and heartwarming sequel to the hit 2006 animated feature, George sets out on a coast-to-coast journey to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey features all-star voice talent including Tim Curry (“The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” Home Alone 2: Lost in New York), Jamie Kennedy (Kickin’ It Old School, Malibu’s Most Wanted), Matt Lauer (“Today Show”), Frank Welker (“Curious George” TV series, “Futurama,”) and comedy legend Jerry Lewis, plus music from legendary songwriter Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.

Bonus Features

Two Never Before Seen Bonus Shows from the all-new TV season! See the premiere episode 6 months before it airs!
Curious George’s Cross Country Caper Game – It’s more fun than a barrel of you-know-what when George and Kayla go on the run with security specialist Marcus Wolfe hot on their trail! Exciting puzzles lead the way from New York to California so Kayla can visit her brother and sister. But be careful—a wrong answer could bring the Wolfe right to their door!
Hold On, Here We Go – Exclusive Music Video
Coloring Pages and Wallpapers

We had a lot of fun watching this movie. CJ seemed to enjoy the colorful characters. RB and I also enjoyed it, it got us to talking about our memories of Curious George.We enjoyed George’s persistence in his desire to help his friend Kayla see her family. The coloring is bright and clear. This fun movie helped bring home that friendship and family are important and with hope and determination even the hardest things are possible.

WATCH THE TRAILER

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WIN IT!

ONE winner will receive a Curious George prize pack including this DVD, CD soundtrack, and book.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me something you remember about Curious George or something your child likes about Curious George.

BONUS ENTRIES

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

Mar 14, 2010 | 60 comments | View Post

PBS Kids Caillou: Caillou Pretends To Be DVD Review

caillou caillou pretends to be dvd cover

Caillou: Caillou Pretends To Be

Available on DVD on Marc h 16, 2010
Number of discs: 1
Studio: PBS (DIRECT)
Run Time: 100 minutes
SRP $14.99
Available on most retail location where DVDs are sold

Contains episodes including:

Caillou the Patient
Caillou the Police Officer
Grandpa’s Friend
Captain Caillou
The Loudest Noise
Caillou’s First Wedding
Caillou the Road Builder
Caillou’s Building Adventure
House in the Sky
Magnet Madness
Caillou the Dinosaur Hunter
Caillou the Astronaut

CJ never moved from the couch while this DVD was playing. I like Caillou because it entertains while educating. Each episode is colorful and written at a child’s level while having an underlying point or lesson. This DVD reminds us that in a child’s mind anything is possible.

Mar 14, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

PBS Kids Martha Speaks: Martha Says It With Flowers DVD Review

martha speaks martha says it with flowers dvd cover

Martha Speaks: Martha Says It With Flowers

Studio: PBS (DIRECT)
DVD Release Date: March 9, 2010
Run Time: 100 minutes
SRP $14.99
Not rated

Press release - HOLLYWOOD, CA – Children will have fun while they discover new words from a dog who loves to talk when MARTHA SPEAKS™ Martha Says It With Flowers debuts on DVD March 9, 2010 from PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment. Based on the successful children’s book series by Susan Meddaugh, and produced by WGBH Boston and Studio B Productions, MARTHA SPEAKS™ follows the adventures of a beloved family dog who develops the power of speech after eating some alphabet soup. Each entertaining episode is designed to help kids learn up to 20 new words and increase their oral vocabulary as they enjoy the escapades of the outspoken, honest and confident Martha and her family and friends.

Martha Speaks: Martha Says it with Flowers DVD includes these episodes:

Raiders of the Lost Art
Martha Says It with Flowers
Martha Gets Spooked
Martha Changes Her Luck
Martha Sings
TD Makes the Band
There Goes the Neighborhood
Ice Scream

Bonus features

Coloring Pages
Parents’ Information

I’d never seen the show Martha Speaks before. Despite being full of vivid watercolor animations, this show is a bit old for CJ although he did like watching the “puppy!” for a while. Martha is a dog that has the ability to speak. I can imagine where a child would think a dog could speak because their alphabet soup got lost on the way to their stomach, which is what the lyrics in the theme song tell us. I like the way that the character of Martha interacts with other characters as well as appears on her own. I also like that at the end of the episode there is a segment helping young viewers understand the meaning of the new words they’ve learned.

Mar 14, 2010 | 1 comment | View Post

PBS Kids Super Why Peter Rabbit And Other Fairytale Adventures

super why peter rabbit and other fairy tale adventures dvd cover

Super Why!: Peter Rabbit and Other Fairytale Adventures

Available on DVD on March 2, 2010
Studio Name: Paramount Home Entertainment
Rating: TV-Y
Run Time (in minutes): 100 minutes

Description - The first superhero series that helps children ages 3-6 learn to read through interactive storybook adventures returns with four new-to-DVD adventures. From Out of the Blue Enterprises, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment, Super Why! Peter Rabbit & Other Fairytale Adventures includes fun new interpretations of the classic stories Peter Rabbit, Tom Thumb, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Rapunzel. Join Super Why and his super friends as they practice spelling, use the power to read and investigate rhyming words in order to change the outcome of the story and save the day! The “Super Why!” television series has received the 2008-2009 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award and was nominated for an Emmy® for Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series. The DVD also includes interactive games, music videos, Resources for Parents and coloring pages for even more entertainment.

I’d never seen this show before. Super Why is a children’s show that incorporates the alphabet, spelling, words and reading. The characters include Alpha Pig with alphabet power, princess Presto with spelling power, Wonder Red with word power and Super Why with the power to read. Oh and there’s one more character - Super YOU (yes you) with power to help. I like the way the show involves the viewers by asking them to help, by looking for things. In a way I was reminded of Blue’s Clues, one of CJ’s all time favorite shows. Each time the viewers find a super letter it is entered into a computer, a la the notebook from Blue’s Clues. The colorful episodes are interesting to children while also being educational.

Mar 14, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

This Week’s Winners

winners congrats smiley

To select the winner of these giveaways I put the number of entries into the Random Sequence Generator on random.org. I matched the numbers that came out on top to the comment bearing the same number and made sure the comment was eligible.

A Year Of Cheer Detergent

#11 Corrin

Real Kids Shades

#3 Merrie L

Momover A New Moms Guide

#2 ShootingStarsMag

Thanks to all who entered the giveaways! Please consider subscribing to my feed so you don’t miss out on the latest posts, reviews and giveaways.

Mar 14, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post