My Pillow Pets {Patriotic Pup Review}

With the timing of my Patriotic My Pillow Pets giveaway last month, the girls and I didn't actually have the opportunity to see the adorable red, white and blue Patriotic Pup in person until right before the giveaway ended. Considering we had done a previous Pillow Pets review, I assumed that this America-themed dog would be just as high quality, entertaining and cuddly soft as the rest of the collection.

Now that he has arrived, we've found that Patriotic Pup is all that and more. He's plush, huggable, comfortable, colorful and really darn cute. But not just regular cute, he's all-out stars and stripes cute.

Made out of the softest chenille, Patriotic Pup celebrates our nation in style with his red fur, blue nose, starry underside and, just in case that wasn't enough, one paw is cleanly embroidered with a bright U.S.A. to complete the overall look. There aren't many more things that could be added to make this Pillow Pet any more patriotic!

But Big Sister E and Little Sister B's favorite part? Why, the luxurious velvety plushness, of course.

As with all of the My Pillow Pets, the inclusion of the durable strap on the bottom of Patriotic Pup makes it easy to transform him between being a traditional stuffed animal and a cushy pillow. I not only appreciate the quality of the strong Velcro but the addition of the added flap of fabric that goes over the hook side of the Velcro when not in use. Considering the number of times that my girls have thrown their faces down on this Pillow Pet, that small piece of fabric has probably saved quite a few scratches from happening on their faces.

Soft, lovable and fun - and don't forget that My Pillow Pets is not just celebrating our country with Patriotic Pup, he also supports our troops as well. For every purchase of these limited edition dogs, $5.00 of the cost ($24.95) is donated to Scholarships for Military Children, a great organization that works to help the children of military personnel.

If your children have been begging for a Pillow Pet, why not purchase one that also gives money to a good cause? But when these Patriotic Pups are gone, they're gone, so if you're thinking of bringing him home, don't wait! For more information or to order, check out the My Pillow Pet Gives website today.

(Other than the My Pillow Pets Patriotic Pup that I was provided, I was not compensated or enticed or to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this product and its cute features.)

Friendly Friday: July 30th

Welcome to Friendly Friday!

Remember, YOU can host the link list on your blog, too! Just click "Get the code here..." at the bottom of the list. The code is different every week, so be sure to get the new code when hosting Friendly Friday on your blog. Hosting the list is a great way to get even more traffic to your blog and make Friendly Friday more beneficial for everyone.

Thanks for joining the Friendly Friday celebration hosted by Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier, Christi at Frugal Novice and Charla at Healthy Home Blog! We invite you to join us every Friday to make more friends in blogville, get more blog followers and follow other great blogs out there.

To join in the Friendly Friday celebration, include your link in our list, follow the hostesses in the first 3 spots and then start blog hopping! Visit other blogs on the list and comment to give them some blog love. Then take a minute to follow them through Google Friend Connect - this is a good way to keep up with other blogs, but also lets us show support to each other! Please DO NOT list your giveaways here, links must be to either your homepage or your Friday posting with your blog title. All others will be deleted.

When people comment on your blog and let you know they're a part of Friendly Friday, return the favor and follow them back. This way everyone gets traffic and followers out of participating, and it's a win-win situation. We would love for you to also grab our Friendly Friday button and post it on your blog and/or in a post - the more bloggers that find out about Friendly Friday and participate, the better!

Spotlight on Friendly Friday Followers!

We love your participation and want to show it! In addition to gaining followers, each week we'll select three blogs at random and will feature links and a write-up for those blogs in the content of next week's Friendly Friday post. There are so many seriously wonderful blogs out there, and this will be a great way to highlight some of those each week. Say hello to the lucky chosen 3 for this week (and feel free to stop by and give them a little extra love):

Do you ever wonder if something is just too good to be true? Amy at We're In For It... has the cutest, most well-behaved baby boy named Gage, so she isn't sure how the future live up to how wonderful life presently is. With a son this adorable and a laid-back, conversational writing style, reading Amy's blog is like having a chat with a good friend. From swim lessons to blog design (currently decked out as a birthday present to her husband!) to questions and topics all moms wonder, We're In For It... is always a fun read.

A real-life, real mom looking for ways to make ends meet, Debby at Deal-icious Debby writes about great store deals and coupons that she has found as well as products she enjoys and tips for money-saving crafts and fun projects to keep on budget. Being frugal isn't always easy, but Debby shows that through her deals, garden and cute kids that it can still be possible. Head over to start saving some money today!

A Christian mom and grandmother, Teresa at Too Many Heartbeats writes an extremely moving and informative blog about dealing with her rare and serious illness, Dysautonomia/POTS. A disease of the autonomic nervous system, Teresa's body cannot make the necessary adjustments to counteract gravity when standing up and has therefore left her 100% disabled, homebound and bedridden due to losing consciousness almost every time she stands or sits up for too long. With such an incredible story and positive outlook, Teresa's words will touch your heart through each post.

Now that you know about these 3 wonderful blogs, it's time for you to join in! Add your link below and we'll see you back here every Friday! And don't forget, you can grab the code to share the link list on your blog, too.

All three hostesses appreciate followers through Google Friend Connect AND Twitter and we'll follow you back - just leave a comment with your URL and/or Twitter username. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Winners!

After a long week, I'm ready for a good night's sleep. And the thing that is going to make it relaxing and restful? My Luxurious Satin Sheet Set from ShopBedding (and maybe actually heading to bed at a normal time). There's nothing better than the silky softness of a great set of sheets! The lucky person who will get to enjoy these as well is...
Congratulations, Nichol!

Were you as excited as I was to be introduced to William Riera USA? With such stylish dresses and gorgeous accessories, it's hard to decide which one is your favorite... but no matter what, you know you'll look good! The lucky person who will be dressing in style is...
Congratulations, Tiffany D!

Ahhh... toys. With the wide selection of so many amazing ones, it's not hard to see why Growing Tree Toys is such a popular and fun site to shop. The lucky person who will get to pick out a new and exciting item for the little one in their life is...

Congratulations, J.E.!

A special thank you to everyone who shared a touching comment on my Pear Tree Greetings giveaway about someone who could use a handwritten note right now. There were quite a few that were so thoughtful and wonderful that I hope you do take the time to send out a card to that person! The lucky person who will get to send one out on a Personalized Note Card is...

Congratulations, Amber!

Whether your kids like to dance and groove or not, everyone can enjoy the great sounds of The Not-It's! and and Time Out To Rock. This CD will have your fingers tapping and your toes moving in no time! The lucky person who will bring a little lively sound into their home is...

Congratulations, AEK!

Thanks again to everyone who entered these fun giveaways! The last two Anniversary Bash giveaways will be posted on Monday and Tuesday... and the final one is a surprise that you just might not want to miss!

Anniversary Bash #10: kokopax city carrier {Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Sometimes the similarities between my daughters amazes me. Even though they are both young, there are interests and mannerisms and personality traits that they both share that make me smile. On the other hand, however, sometimes I can't help but shake my head at the differences that are already so very apparent.

As a baby and toddler, Big Sister E was so content that we didn't even have to baby-proof around here because she just didn't get into things. She was always just happy to hang out in a bouncy seat or ride in the stroller or a shopping cart and take life as it came without any problems. Little Sister B, on the other hand, is... active. Climbing, grabbing, squirming - when she has a problem, she'll let you know.

But something that has always made her smile is being carried. Getting to be up and see the world from a different perspective while also giving those little legs a rest - it sounds like a nice deal to me, too. And the one baby carrier that has been proven to be extremely versatile, stylish and comfortable for us both has been kokopax.

In fact, check out the continuing happiness from last October (from a kokopax classic carrier giveaway that I ran at the time) all the way through just this past week:
Founded by a mom (because really, moms always design the very best products) in 2007, kokopax has combined the benefits of using a lightweight frame with stylish, modern fabrics to create their amazing line of baby carriers. With a variety of features, prices and great designs there is a kokopax carrier to match any mom or baby's personality.

The simple and affordable city carrier is the perfect thing for making life easier with your baby from 6 months to 2 years old (or up to 35 pounds). For parents, the kickstand makes loading and unloading a breeze, the adjustable frame fits all sizes and the padded shoulder straps and waist support ensure comfort all around.

The fact that the city carrier only weighs 3 pounds, folds up well enough to be brought along almost anywhere (it even fits nicely in airline overhead compartments) and has a handy storage pocket to stash a few belongings makes this a great backpack carrier for both indoors and out. The durable, easy-to-clean fabric comes in 4 great color/pattern options and really completes the overall uncomplicated nature of these convenient carriers.

For the child, being positioned up at eye-level really does bring joy to most any baby. Little Sister B has always liked being right up where the action is while in her kokopax carrier so that she can check out the view, peer in to see what's going on or just snuggle up to Mommy or Daddy. The 5-pt safety harness keeps her completely safe and being able to attach toys right on to the included ring has always been an added bonus to keeping her entertained.

For on-the-go families, kokopax has the products to make life easier. From their stylish and roomy diaper totes to their contemporary and adorable sun hats to those award-winning carriers, hanging out at home or walking in the park will never be the same (or look quite as good).

For the ultimate in hands-free convenience, the city carrier provides an easy, comfortable, lightweight solution for parents and a safe and secure ride for their baby/toddler. Our kokopax carrier is by far one of my favorite pieces of baby gear that we own and I can't count the number of times that Little Sister B has hung out happily in there. When I look back at her early years, this carrier is going to be one thing that sticks out in my mind as a big success!

Thanks to kokopax's generosity, one person will also be able to experience the ease and comfort of their amazing carriers, because...

One lucky person will win a kokopax city carrier in their choice of fabric! ARV $99.99!

To enter to win: Visit kokopax and tell me one of their amazing items, including fabric name, that you would like to own.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow kokopax on Twitter, sign up for their e-newsletter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: kokopax carriers are amazing! I just entered to win a city carrier at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/9tBXZm
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Anniversary Bash #10: WIN an amazing kokopax city carrier ($100) from @kokopax! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/9tBXZm #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
1 Extra Entry if you put my Anniversary Bash button up on your blog. And, for the people who put it up BEFORE the event started (I have a list), 3 more extra entries on top of that.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and kokopax. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 19th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to kokopax for providing a city carrier for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Anniversary Bash #9: Maukilo {Review & $75 Gift Certificate Giveaway} Buy once. Play forever.

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Lately I've been trying to find the time to sort through items around our house to sell in a garage sale. The random extra furniture, the tiny baby clothes and infant gear that we no longer have a use for and the knickknacks that don't have anywhere to be displayed due to Little Sister B's tendency to touch and grab absolutely everything. It all just needs to go.

Along with that, I've spent a good deal of time reevaluating the collection of toys that my daughters have amassed over the years. And what I've found is this: we have a lot of junk. Flimsy, plastic things that require a lot of batteries, break at the first sign of being dropped or bent and have an educational value of... well, not much. I want my kids to be surrounded with items that spark their imagination, inspire them to learn and play and are crafted well enough that they'll last forever.

As it turns out, what I want is just what the creators of the award-winning Maukilo want as well.

Owned by the well-known and loved German toy company HABA (we are big fans, you can check out our HABA review from back in March), Maukilo.com is able to offer the full 1,500 items that HABA sells in the United States, more than any other site out there. In total, however, Maukilo carries more than 40 brands that meet their high standards for quality and fun and live up to their motto: "Buy once. Play forever."

And forever is truly how long my daughters have been playing with the beautiful, creative and unique toys that we were fortunate to review.

Beginning with the fact that no time outside is complete now without our HABA Bucket with valve, both Big Sister E and Little Sister B are head-over-heels for this simple yet innovative item.

An easy-to-carry nylon bag, the HABA Bucket with valve is perfect for kids of all ages for multiple reasons. First, the three strong handles make carrying this extremely easy no matter what size hands are grasping it. Second, the bucket itself holds quite a bit of water, meaning it isn't going to have to be refilled over and over all the time. Third, it is easily collapsed for storage or to put in a beach bag to bring along to the ocean, lake or pool.

However, the best feature is, of course, the inclusion of the uncomplicated valve to let the water slowly run out. Big Sister E has no problem turning the knob to start and stop the stream and the small amount of water that is let out is enough to satisfy them but isn't so much that it drains the bucket out right away. In fact, I couldn't be happier sitting on my porch swing for at least an hour as my girls fill up cups or scoops (Big Sister E's favorite is the Spielstabil Ice Cream Scoop, it's adorable!) over and over with water.

For added fun, we have also been having a great time with the HABA Spilling Funnel, an item that would be perfect to bring along the next time we head to the beach. Simply fill one side with sand and one side with water and it drains out the bottom in a thick mixture that can be used to decorate, build, draw and more. Creating a sand castle will never be the same again!

When I do manage to tear the girls away from the entertainment HABA provides with sand and water, another of Big Sister E's favorite things to do outside is to be a star explorer with her Terra Kids Binoculars by HABA.

Made out of a synthetic rubber, these binoculars are just the right size for little hands and really do work with the twist of a button. Complete with their own neoprene carrying case that clips right on, these binoculars can be taken along for any adventure!

But who wants to go on a journey on an empty stomach? Even though both of my daughters have always enjoyed role playing with pretend food, they were both even more excited to do so with the HABA Biofino Fish and the HABA Shopping Net Fruits.
Having never seen anything like the HABA Biofino Fish before, both of my girls were amazed by it from the moment they saw it. Where else would they have played with a soft, cushy fabric fish that has removable bones? They each love reaching in and out of the Velcro closure to play with the plastic skeleton inside and this unique fish has definitely been caught and "cleaned" many times since its arrival.

I don't know who liked the HABA Shopping Net Fruits more - me (due to the beautiful wood, non-toxic colors and finishes and adorable cotton bag) or my kids (the apples, pears, strawberries and plums are just the right size). This bag and its high quality contents are welcome in our kitchen for play shopping, cooking or eating anytime!

Finally, when it is time to pack to leave for our next adventure or just to clean up when we're through playing, both Big Sister E and Little Sister B can't get enough of the Paulina Suitcase Set of 3.

Nesting right inside one another, these three roomy suitcases can be used for transport (Big Sister E already determined that for our next vacation she will use the large blue one, my husband and I will use the medium pink one and Little Sister B is left with the small green one) or storage.

Instead of another boring bin on our shelf, anything from doll clothes to magnetic letters has gone inside these suitcases and had a good home. Constructed out of laminated board and metal, these suitcases have proven to be very durable and strong no matter how many times they have been swung around or opened and closed. On top of that, their bright colors and horse-themed designs are just too cute to not bring a smile every time!

Whether purchasing classic wooden building blocks or toys, safe and stimulating baby toys, beautiful children's furniture and room decor or much, much more, Maukilo has nothing but the absolute highest quality. Children of all ages will be entertained and inspired with the open-ended possibilities and any parent would be happy with the non-toxic, natural woods and PVC-free plastic materials.

With such an amazing selection that will endure playtime for years to come, Maukilo even has a full 100% satisfaction guarantee that you will love their products as much as we do. The hardest part really is narrowing down your favorites - the choices seem endless! However, thanks to the extreme generosity of Maukilo, one person will get to do just that, because...

One lucky person will win a $75 gift certificate to Maukilo.com!

To enter to win: Visit Maukilo and tell me one of their amazing items that you might like to purchase with this gift certificate.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Maukilo on Twitter, sign up for their e-newsletter and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Maukilo means high quality and fun! I just entered to win a $75 gift certificate at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/csdC7R
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Anniversary Bash #9: WIN a $75 Maukilo Toys gift card for high quality playthings! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/csdC7R #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
1 Extra Entry if you put my Anniversary Bash button up on your blog. And, for the people who put it up BEFORE the event started (I have a list), 3 more extra entries on top of that.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Maukilo.com. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 19th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Maukilo for providing the aforementioned toys for review as well as a $75 gift certificate for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Anniversary Bash #8: Senseo Single-Serve Gourmet Coffee Machine {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Coffee is just one of those things. There are people that like it, people that love it and those people that might be tempted to take some sort of action if you told them that they couldn't have their daily cup(s).

But wouldn't it be nice if coffee was just a little... easier? If it was ready instantly and the exact amount you wanted could be poured at any time and end up customized just how you like it? Not to mention if getting a good cup of coffee didn't mean paying the hugely-inflated prices that they sell for at large and small coffeehouses everywhere you look.

Well, that time has arrived. Forget all the wasted time, money and leftover, cold coffee, because it's so much better to be your own barista and enjoy perfect java every time thanks to Senseo.

Brewing a single serving of fresh, made-to-order coffee at the touch of a button, the Senseo Original Coffee Machine has revolutionized everything that I thought I knew about enjoying a gourmet cup of coffee at home. The premeasured coffee pods, convenient, hassle-free system and speed to which a fresh cup is made makes this the perfect machine to have no matter what level your love for coffee is on.

Right out of the box, I was impressed with the modern, sleek look of the Senseo (it is also available in white, blue or red). This isn't a massive, clunky-looking gadget that you're going to want to hide in a cupboard, it features a clean, simple appearance that blends nicely into any kitchen.

Never having used a single cup coffee maker before, I wasn't sure how much was involved in order to brew my first mug. And what I found was that even if you were half asleep, this would still be a breeze!

First, remove the water reservoir from the back, fill it up and pop it back into place - up to five 4-ounce cups can be brewed on one full reservoir. Second, put one or two (depending on the number of cups you are preparing and how strong you like your coffee) of the Senseo coffee pods into place and lock the lid back down.

What are the pods? They are the perfectly portioned little packets of fresh coffee, flavored or unflavored, that make using a Senseo coffee machine so simple and easy. No grinding or spilling or having to measure anything out, simply choose your favorite flavor and in it goes.

By pressing the power button, the water begins to heat to 205°F, which always seemed to happen before I had time to even notice. When the red indicator light stops blinking, put your mug right on the base and select either the one-cup or two-cup option and your steaming hot, delicious-smelling coffee immediately begins to fill your mug. After around 30 - 45 seconds, your fresh coffee is done and there is even a light, creamy layer of froth right on top.

Mmmmm.

I love the addition of the automatic shut-off (after one hour) on the Senseo so there is never any worry after you've left the house if the coffee machine is still on. Plus, there is virtually no cleanup required, since all that you have to do is reopen the lid, toss the used coffee pod in the trash and you're about done. All of the removable parts from the Senseo (the pod holders, water reservoir, coffee spout, plastic drip tray and metal cup tray) are dishwasher-safe. How easy is that?

As I don't tend take coffee with me in the car, I am completely happy with being able to use my mug directly with the Senseo each time I want a cup of coffee. However, due to the height of the dispenser, I did notice that a taller travel mug wouldn't easily fit underneath and you would have to do some transferring between cups. Is that really such a bad thing? If it still means getting a fresh brewed cup of coffee exactly how you like it for a fraction of the cost you would spend picking one up while on your drive, then no, I think not.

For fast, convenient, flavorful, fresh coffee that is made-to-order right in the comfort of your own home, the Senseo Original Single-Serve Gourmet Coffee Machine is perfect for yourself or the coffee-lover that you know. This would be an amazing wedding or housewarming gift or just the thing to have around when guests come to dinner or in from out of town.

Available directly from The Senseo Store or at a variety of retailers near you, this is coffee making at its finest. With all of the tasty coffee pods available as well, the hardest decision is figuring out which flavor to try next! I was able to try the Breakfast Blend, Dark Roast Blend and Kona Blend and all three were satisfying down to the last drop.

Are you ready for a cup of coffee yet? Well, thanks to Senseo's generosity, one person will only have to provide some water and mug and they'll be able to have theirs ready in less than a minute, because...

One lucky person will win a Senseo Original Coffee Machine (coffee pods included)! ARV $70!

To enter to win: Visit Senseo and tell me which one of the tasty pod flavors you would like to try.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you sign up for the Senseo e-newsletter (found in the lower left corner) and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Anniversary Bash #8: WIN a Senseo Single-Serve Gourmet Coffee Machine (ARV $70)! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/d3goZ7 #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
1 Extra Entry if you put my Anniversary Bash button up on your blog. And, for the people who put it up BEFORE the event started (I have a list), 3 more extra entries on top of that.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Senseo. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 19th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Senseo for providing a Senseo Original Coffee Machine for review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

O-Cedar ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System {Review}

In the same way that I wish broccoli tasted like chocolate, I also wish that cleaning was as enjoyable as relaxing on the beach. I know there are some people that don't mind it, but I'm just not one of them. Don't get me wrong, I love it when my house is spotless and sparkling clean, I just don't want to put in the time and effort to get it that way.

When it comes to our hardwood floor, I find a traditional mop and bucket just a little too... slimy for me. Having to ring something out in dirty water and have it drip all over? No, thanks. So at some point we invested in one of those cleaning systems, you know the one, where we are supposed to attach the disposable pads over and over, but I'm not really a big fan of that either. How many of those pads do I actually end up using each time? And do they have to cost that much?

Well, now there's a better way. Thanks to O-Cedar and their new O-Cedar ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System, our floors have never been more efficiently, eco-friendly or easily cleaned.

Light enough that both of my kids could easily push it around, the ProMist actually stands over 4' tall so it can be used by all heights and no one will have to bend or hunch to move it. More than that though, I really like the simple and thoughtful features that O-Cedar included when creating this cleaner.

The removable, refillable bottle pops in and out of its holster just by pulling on it and can be filled with whatever solution you prefer. From plain water to a store-bought liquid or one that you create yourself, just pour it right in and pop the bottle back into place. Located right on the handle of the ProMist is the trigger to squeeze to conveniently spray a nice, thick mist of that liquid right out in front to cut down on your overall cleaning time.

There are two different cleaning pads included with the ProMist. First, and great for everyday use, a durable, reusable microfiber pad (shown with the blue markings in the picture at left) that is designed to lift and trap dirt and grime that can be washed up to 100 times - saving both money and the environment. Or, for more messy spills (or ones that might possibly stain) the ProMist can also be used with convenient, thinner, semi-disposable pads that can also be washed or just thrown away.

I really like how easy it is to attach and detach the pads, as they hold strong to the Velcro on the bottom and don't require me to do anything more than just press the cleaner down on top. When I'm done, I easily peel the pad right off and toss it into the washing machine and store the base in the closet. Simple!

O-Cedar's marketing slogan is "O-Cedar Makes Your Life Easier!" and their ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System has done just that in our house. Big or small, this system makes clean-ups easier and quicker and there will no longer be any concerns over potentially harmful chemicals on your floors that might not be safe for your children or pets.

For a quality product from a brand known for their competitively priced, hard-working items, the O-Cedar ProMist is coming soon to retailers across the country. And who knows? If you bring one into your home, you just might have eager little workers ready to scrub your floors shiny clean as well!


(Other than the O-Cedar ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System that I was provided, I was not compensated or enticed or to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this product, its features and its benefits.)

Anniversary Bash #7: HearthSong Super Water Slide {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Sometimes summer can just be so... hot and boring. Kids are off of school, the temperatures rise and all anyone ends up wanting to do is lay around inside in the air conditioning. Although for us, that just leads to even more boredom, which causes one of my girls to pick on the other... and the day just doesn't end well.

However, if there is one place where I know to look for the most unique and fun items to truly celebrate summer (instead of just sitting around wasting it away), it's HearthSong. And if I didn't think things could get better after having reviewed their Great Big Outdoor Playball and their Cosmic Slide, that is only because I hadn't been given the opportunity to see just how much laughter and enjoyment their Super Water Slide can bring.

With a 12' long slide and a 3' x 5' pool at the end, within a matter of minutes of opening the box our yard was turned into an impromptu water park. In fact, inflating the Super Water Slide was a breeze, simply use a pump to fill up the outer chamber that encases the edging and then do the same for the inner chamber to provide a soft, cushy slide.

By simply filling the pool with water and then attaching a garden hose to this heavy-duty vinyl slide, not only do kids have a great padded surface to run and dive on, but the continual mist that sprays from along the side keeps it cool and slick. Or, as Little Sister B didn't quite grasp the concept of sliding, the spray made a perfect water tunnel for her to crawl through.

This is definitely not just your average slip 'n slide, the Super Water Slide made for a safe, enjoyable and extremely fun afternoon for all of us. The days of getting bumps and bruises from a single piece of cheap plastic laid on a hill are a thing of the past with a luxurious toy like this!

As with past items we have been fortunate to review from HearthSong, I was impressed with the quality, durability, ease of use and long-term entertainment that this was able to provide. After easily deflating the Super Water Slide, it can be conveniently stored and pulled out year after year with no problems or worries.

Considering just how much fun my kids (and, ahem, my husband) had on this slide, I have no doubt that it will be a permanent part of our summer fun.

Whether just for a few kids or as a feature at an outdoor party, the Super Water Slide is sure to be a big hit. Fitting perfectly into HearthSong's slogan of Toys You'll Feel Good About Giving, this is just one of many items that they offer as part of their commitment to providing educational, entertaining, high-quality playthings.

Also, as with all of their toys, HearthSong completely guarantees your satisfaction - with no conditions or time limits. If, at any time and for any reason, you aren't happy with your Super Water Slide, you can exchange it or receive a full refund. With customer service like that, you've got nothing to lose and only a large amount of laughter and good times to gain.

Also, thanks to the generosity of HearthSong, one person will get to bring home the joy and exuberance this amazing item will provide, because...

One lucky person will win a Super Water Slide AND Dual Action Foot Pump from HearthSong! ARV $82!

To enter to win: Visit HearthSong and tell me one of the amazing items that they offer that you or your children would love to own.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you request a HearthSong catalog, subscribe to their emailed newsletter (if you enter your email address when requesting a catalog, that will subscribe you to their newsletter, so you get both entries) and/or Like them on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: HearthSong has such unique and fun toys! I just entered to win a Super Water Slide (with pump) at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/9D5Ajt
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Anniversary Bash #7: WIN a Super Water Slide & pump (ARV $82) from HearthSong! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/9D5Ajt #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
1 Extra Entry if you put my Anniversary Bash button up on your blog. And, for the people who put it up BEFORE the event started (I have a list), 3 more extra entries on top of that.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and HearthSong. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on August 19th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to HearthSong for providing a Super Water Slide for review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.