HABA Building Blocks First Letter Fun {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Ami-Beth!}

There are some toys and gear that I think of as necessities for children. Not the elaborate and intricate ones (even though those are fun), but the ones in which childhood would simply not be the same without them.

Dolls. Cars and trucks. Books. Crayons.

And building blocks; every kid needs a great set of building blocks.

The traditional sets of blocks are always wonderfully classic and provide endless possibilities in terms of imagination, small motor skills, and learning the science of balance. But when it comes to taking something great and making it even better? That's where HABA comes in and turns regular blocks into something so much more with their Building Blocks First Letter Fun.

Chances are that if you've read past reviews here, you've seen a mention of the incredibly high quality, eco-friendly children's toys from HABA. As the recipients of almost every toy award that exists, they carry everything from furniture to toys to accessories (and more) for children of all ages to help them learn and grow.

Whether you are looking for a way to enjoy bath time with bright and entertaining accessories, think and imagine with educational games, or love and pretend with a gorgeous collection of dolls, HABA has it all... and is continually coming out with more.

Of their long list of 2011 additions, when the Building Blocks First Letter Fun arrived, I knew that HABA was going to make this a season to remember.

Combining a child's love for building with the ability to explore the universe of letters and words, Building Blocks First Letter Fun contains 26 letter blocks, four chalkboard blocks, two pieces of chalk and one cloth/sponge eraser for ages 2-6 to get right to work constructing.

The simplicity yet ingenuity of these blocks is great! Made from sustainably managed forests, these beechwood blocks are decorated with non-toxic water based stain so, as with all of HABA's high quality products, they are completely safe for kids.

The letters are printed on one side of the letter blocks, making it easy to get started right away building vertically or horizontally and focus on either the fun of the tower or the fun of the word.

Both Big Sister E and Little Sister B were immediately attracted to the vivid, bright colors and went right to work constructing to see just how tall they could get these blocks to go.

But the letters didn't go unnoticed and it wasn't long before we were talking about each one, the sound it made, and what words we could make by pairing it with others. What a great way to include an educational aspect while stacking!

Future Scrabble stars, perhaps?

By taking alphabet blocks one step further and including the four chalkboard blocks, however, HABA made it possible to do more than just letter recognition by creating even more words while practicing handwriting. Kids are able to really work on spelling, problem-solving (figuring out which letter is missing), and more... each time these blocks are brought out it is a whole new experience!

HABA was already a trusted name in our house for quality wooden toys, but Building Blocks First Letter Fun has enforced that even further! I love that my kids can be creative with both their minds and their hands and that this is a set that could be used by young children (just leave out the chalk until they are old enough) and still bring interest and use throughout the rest of childhood. I have no doubt that we'll be playing with these for years to come!

With a retail price of $58 (you can find them at Maukilo for $52.19), these blocks do cost a little more than a traditional set, but I do believe that they will get quite a bit more use than if they were just blank. They're just that much more educational, entertaining and fun! And, thanks to the generosity of HABA, one person will get to see just how much the child in their life will enjoy stacking with letters as well, because...

One lucky person will win a set of Building Blocks First Letter Fun from HABA!

To enter to win: Visit HABA and tell me another of their amazing items 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 if you Like HABA 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!

WIN a set of Building Blocks First Letter Fun (ARV $58) from HABA for letter building! http://bit.ly/nQIK7p @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

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, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on September 21st 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 HABA for providing a set of Building Blocks First Letter Fun for me to 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.

Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy - The Movie DVD {Review}

When it comes to tapping into the love for ballet that little girls everywhere share, I can't think of a character that does it better than Angelina Ballerina. Camembert Academy's shining star of dance and her sparkling stories about performance, family, friendship and following her dreams continually delight aspiring ballerinas everywhere.

But now the entertainment of this lovable mouse can be taken even further as the curtain rises on Angelina’s first-ever full length movie in Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy - The Movie.

Bringing viewers along to see who wins the Shining Star Trophy when Angelina Ballerina and her friends perform in the big talent show, Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy - The Movie is available today, August 30, 2011, on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Featuring stunning CG animation in its 55-minute running time, Angelina shines brighter than ever in this all-new movie. When Ms. Mimi announces that there's going to be a big talent show at Camembert Academy, it is major news that the winner will walk away with the Shining Star Trophy.

With celebrity guest judge Perry Parmesan deciding the winner, every minute of practice counts... but when Angelina goes out of her way to help her friends find their special talents, she has little time to work on her own routine. Who will take center stage and win the Shining Star Trophy? Watch as Angelina follows her heart to become a true shining star!

Along with this fun new movie, the Angelina Ballerina excitement continues in many other ways:

• There are four new CGI Angelina Ballerina books from Penguin Young Readers.

• The first mobile app for Apple iPhone and iPod touch, "Dress Up with Angelina," charted as the #1 paid kids game app in only 2 weeks after it launched and continues to be in the top 100 selling paid kids game apps.

• There is a new interactive app launching for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, "Angelina’s New Ballet Teacher."

• Other licensees include Fruit of the Loom (briefs), Topsville (apparel), I Can Do That! Games (Board Games and puzzles), Madame Alexander (Dolls), American Greetings (party goods, greeting cards), Rubie’s (role play costumes), Schylling (tin toys – jewelry boxes, tea cups) and Unique Industries (piñatas).

Angelina is everywhere! You can even bring her home in a way that my girls have loved with this Angelina Ballerina coloring sheet:

Click on the image for the fullscreen version

Targeted for ages 2-7, Angelina Ballerina is sure to be a hit in any household of young dancers. My girls are continually pulling on their tutus and twirling as they follow along with Angelina and her friends and Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy - The Movie (retailing for $14.98... or a little less on Amazon), just makes it that much easier to reinforce ideas such as staying positive, believing in yourself and following your dreams. That mouse really knows her stuff!

To find out more about this fun program, visit the Angelina Ballerina website and stay up-to-date on the latest dancing escapades by connecting on Facebook as well.

(Other than the DVD copy of Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy - The Movie that I received from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this show and this DVD.)

Purse Bling Purse to Go Pockets Plus {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Mommy Is Green!}

Thanks to Little Sister B's recent potty training (woohoo!), I find myself in a place that I haven't experienced in a while: diaper bag-less. No longer do I feel as though I'm tied to one bulky bag and instead I'm able to pull out all of the various purses and totes that have been patiently waiting in my closet these past five years.

However, the unforeseen downfall that seems to have come along with putting down the diaper bag has been the loss of organization that went along with it. With so many pockets throughout both the inside and outside, I always knew just where my wallet, phone, keys and more were when I needed them.

But in my favorite tote bag? Well... I know that my keys are in there, but getting them out requires a bit of digging past the mounds of other things inside. Aside from three small, flat pockets (which just get crammed with little things), everything else ends up one jumbled mess.

However, the time for taking control of the clutter with an innovative purse organizer has arrived thanks to Purse Bling and their Purse to Go Pockets Plus.

A great gift idea for any woman who has ever complained about having a messy purse, the Purse to Go Pockets Plus provides instant order and storage within nearly any size handbag with ease. These lightweight, easily transferable organizers come in four sizes so that you can select just the right fit for your bag and have pockets both inside and outside so that you'll never have to drop an item into the bottomless pit again.

Available in 25 different colors and designs, it was hard for me to choose my favorite Purse to Go Pockets Plus. Black? Red? Floral? Damask? There were so many that I liked! Eventually deciding on the Petals pattern, I didn't have to wait long before this unique item arrived and was ready to transform my tote.

With 14 pockets of various sizes, I could tell right away that I no longer had an excuse to not be able to find something in my bag. By simply opening up the Purse to Go Pockets Plus and placing it in my bag, it would not only provide the organization I had been looking for, but would actually also add structure to the slouchy sides of the tote itself - a nice bonus!

Having used Purse Bling's handy measurements and size tips, I was happy to find that my new organizer fit right in - not too loose that it would slide around and not too tight that I couldn't access the outer pockets.

As I started refilling my bag, I loved that there seemed to be a slot for larger items (my wallet, an extra set of toddler clothing, etc) as well as smaller ones (my cell phone, lip balm, sunglasses, etc)... there was even a small loop where, if I really wanted, I could attach my keys.

The Purse to Go Pockets Plus seems like a no-brainer! It's high quality, easy to use, it's cute to look at (it is reversible so that I could see the design on the inside also), and it provides a way to make it possible to see your items at a glance. And when it comes time to switch to a different purse, simply pull it out from one handbag and move it to the next and rest easy knowing that all of your necessities will be transferred over and ready to go.

Just one of a long list of innovative and useful products that Purse Bling has to offer, the Purse to Go Pockets Plus is just the thing to help make life easier for women and their handbags. Along with other great items like their Purse to Go Original or Purse Hooks to keep your bag off of the germy floor, Purse Bling has something to make getting along with your favorite bag just that much more convenient.

As for me, I'm happy to trade in the chaos of my tote for something much more organized and portable. With so many styles and sizes of the Purse to Go Pockets Plus to choose from, your pick will always be customized just for you. Retailing for $19.95 - $25.95, you'll wonder how your purse survived before Purse Bling came along... but, wait! For an even better deal, enter the coupon code THANKS at checkout and receive 10% off of your order!

And, thanks to their generosity, one person won't have to dig into the depths of their bag again, because...

One lucky person will win a Purse to Go Pockets Plus from Purse Bling!

To enter to win: Visit Purse Bling and tell me which size and style of Purse to Go Pockets Plus you might choose if you win.

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 Purse Bling on Twitter 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!

I want to WIN a Purse to Go Pockets Plus from Purse Bling and get my handbag organized! http://bit.ly/ngvnQe @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

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, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on September 20th 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 Purse Bling for providing a Purse to Go Pockets Plus for me to 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.

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins {Recipe}

Ingredients

1½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice (we don't always have this, so I've made these without the lemon juice and they still taste delicious!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini
¼ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
¼ cup chopped walnuts (I'm not a huge fan of nuts so I left out the walnuts and instead put a ½ cup of chocolate chips. Can't go wrong with more chocolate, right?)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

In a medium bowl, combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well.

Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and walnuts.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full and bake for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done.

After munching on our Zucchini Brownies for much of last week, you might think that we'd be all zucchini'd out. But nope, when there is zucchini that still needs to be used, I'm going to find some way to use it.

The brownies were definitely a hit and everyone who tried them said that if I hadn't told them that was zucchini in the recipe, that they never would have guessed. But thanks to AllRecipes.com yet again, I think that I am even more fond of these Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins than the brownies... and that says a lot considering that I'm a major brownie fanatic.

This combination just works for me and another dozen are definitely in our near future. Plus, I heard from my neighbor last night that she still has extra zucchinis in her garden, so...

Yum!

Bubber: The Alternative to Clay and Dough {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Magela!}

This seems like something that I shouldn't admit, but I really dislike letting my kids play with clay and dough and nearly always say no when they ask.

Does that make me a bad parent?

Whether it's the way that it gets stuck under their fingernails or how they always mix the colors together (how many shades of greenish brown do we need?) or how there has never been a time that it has all gotten put back in the containers and we are then left with it ground into the carpet and dried chunks that magically appear, I just...

Blech.

When it comes to finding a solution to my issues, there didn't seem to be one. Fortunately, to save my girls from being destined to miss out on the creativity and fun of using their imaginations and hands, we were introduced to an alternative in the world of modeling compound: Bubber.

A solid but fluffy and light modeling compound, Bubber is free of gluten, dust and allergens, as well as being non-toxic, leaves no stains or residue and it never dries out! The soft, cloud-like texture can be molded into shapes but also breaks apart into smooth pieces... whether encouraging fine motor skills, building a castle or being used as a stress reliever, this unique product is fun for all ages.

When our 5 oz Bubber Bucket in Petal Purple arrived, I knew that both of my girls were going to have a great time sculpting and squishing this unusual new product.

Considering that the bucket itself felt so light that it seemed empty, I wasn't surprised when we peered inside and what looked like a purple cloud of cotton candy was waiting for us.

As soon as we touched the Bubber, we knew that it was unlike anything similar. It is lightweight and extremely soft and reminded me of discovering a luxuriously smooth spot in the sand at the beach (but not at all in a gritty way).

While I was content to simply squish the Bubber in my hands and enjoy the feeling, the kids went right to work building and creating.

As well as being able to shape, build and stack with it, Bubber can be flattened, smoothed and carved with utensils, cookie cutters, toys and more...

...and by pressing nearly anything into it, Bubber holds the imprint for even more fun!

An instant hit since it arrived, the girls have played with Bubber over and over and each time it has provided a different and extremely entertaining experience. According to Big Sister E, "it feels like a really soft blanket but the inside looks like fur! It feels like it's sticking to my hands but it's really not!"

Although not quite as eloquent, Little Sister B has said that, "I like it! Feels sticky but not sticky on it!" I take that as an agreement with the fact that I love how Bubber can stick to itself easily but doesn't actually adhere on my girls' hands or on surfaces at all. When we're done playing, we simply brush our hands together and any remnants fall right off and we can easily wipe any pieces from the table right back into the bucket.

I love a toy that makes them happy to clean up!

Even better, as this alternative to cold clay and messy dough (that continually has to be thrown away when it gets dry and hard) doesn't dry out, we're never worried about rushing every last morsel of Bubber into the container immediately.

Instead, the girls can sculpt their creation, leave it out for lunch or to work on after nap time or the next day, and when they return it is just as good as new. The creativity and imagination is never stifled and never has to end! They've made everything from towers to food to snowmen and more... I'm never sure what the next idea will be thanks to Bubber.

Available in six bright and beautiful colors in its portable, convenient container, the Bubber Bucket retails for $12.99 (there is also a 15 oz Bubber Box for $29.99) and is designed for ages 3 and up. However, with the safety and ease of use, I can see younger children having just as much fun with its marshallow-cloud-like texture and feel. How often do kids get to feel as though they are playing with a cloud?

Thanks to the generosity of the inventors of Bubber (as well as Superstructs and Moon Sand), WABA Fun, one person will be able to bring home the most innovative and fun toy for their little builder as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Bubber Bucket!

To enter to win: Visit WABA Fun and tell me one of the benefits of Bubber (for example: allergen free).

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 WABA Fun/Superstructs on Twitter 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!

I want to WIN a Bubber Bucket, the most unique and fun modeling dough around, from @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/rqGlq8 #giveaway #win

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, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on September 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 WABA Fun for providing a Bubber Bucket me to 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.

Niagara Non Aerosol Spray Starch from CleanItSupply.com {Review & Giveaway - 2 winners!}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Lyra and Mary T!}

I've mentioned before that I don't mind doing laundry... but, shh! You haven't told my husband, right?

It seems that the process of turning the mound of dirty clothes into neatly folded piles of clean ones is somehow quite satisfying for me. When I'm done folding them all, I just like to step back and look at how crisp and organized they are and marvel that they're going to stay that way for, oh, another 10 minutes? Maybe?

Because as for putting the clean laundry away in the drawers, I procrastinate on that as long as possible and soon those nice piles get dug through or tipped over or in general turned into some sort of wrinkled disarray. Fortunately, my husband usually comes to the rescue and gets things where they belong, while also taking over his laundry duty: ironing.

Considering that ironing seems to also be a never-ending battle around here, anything that can help make it more manageable and have longer-lasting results is a big plus. Thanks to CleanItSupply.com, we didn't have to look any further than Niagara Spray Starch.

After already loving the ease and convenience of using CleanItSupply.com and their extensive line of products (everything from paper towels to laundry detergent to spray mops) to keep our house clean, I knew that by adding Niagara starch to our laundry regime that it would be nothing but a help.

This non-aerosol spray starch is environmentally-friendly, biodegradable and has the ability to provide a provide a long-lasting crisp, sharp finish and freshness to nearly every kind of fabric (it is only not to be used on non-washable or Dry Clean Only items). Simply squeeze the easy-to-use trigger spray system and receive a simple, clean spray that can remove even the toughest of wrinkles.

And when it comes to wrinkles, my husband's dress shirts and pants are nearly always in need of something that can give the fabric a fresh and new feeling after all that he puts them through.

What a great addition to our lineup of laundry products! These 22-oz liquid spray bottles are a great size to hold easily while ironing and the fine mist that they provide absorbs quickly into the fabric. If tackling a particularly stubborn wrinkle, it was easy to just spray and iron over the area again... and the result was always clothing that was appeared refreshed and crisp with sharp creases in all the right places.

Even better, as CleanItSupply makes it easy to stock up with purchases in bulk, having six bottles in the case ensures that I won't have to wonder if we have spray starch in the house for quite some time to come. Instead, the next time my husband heads off to work, I'll know that he is looking professional while having also stayed green in the process!

If you haven't visited CleanItSupply.com to see the selection of cleaning supplies, household items, paper products, and MUCH more that they have to offer, now is the time! Everything they sell is top-notch, the prices are affordable (this entire case of Niagara spray starch would be found for more than $16 elsewhere but is only $9.70 from CleanItSupply - a 40% savings!), and it's all delivered right to your front door.

And, thanks to the generosity of CleanItSupply.com, two people will be able to have fresh, wrinkle-free clothes as well, because...

Two lucky people will win a case (6 bottles) of Niagara Non Aerosol Spray Starch from CleanItSupply!

To enter to win: Visit CleanItSupply.com and tell me an item there that you have never tried before that you think would help around your house.

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).

2 Extra Entries (per method) if you follow CleanItSupply.com on Twitter, Like them on Facebook and/or sign up for CleanItSupply's Super Saving Program.
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!

Crisp, wrinkle-free clothes! #WIN a CASE of Niagara Spray Starch from www.CleanItSupply.com! http://bit.ly/phACXz @thxmailcarrier #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, become a fan on Facebook, or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
5 Extra Entries if you blog about CleanItSupply.com and link it to CleanItSupply.com and this giveaway. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on September 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 continental U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to CleanItSupply.com for providing a case of Niagara Spray Starch for me to 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.

Nutrisystem {Week 35} Baked Oatmeal to the Rescue!

After getting over the disappointment of my weight gain last week, I was glad to find my determination to follow the Nutrisystem program still intact as this week went on. Instead of letting the feeling of failure creep in, I looked at how far I've come and told myself that I wasn't going to let me get in the way of even more success.

(Okay, to be honest, there was the slight issue of some Zucchini Brownies that may have not exactly been a part of the plan, but otherwise I went back to applying what I've learned from the Nutrisystem Nation. Besides, zucchini is a vegetable, right?)

As well as cutting out my unnecessary snacking, boosting my water intake, and eating my meals, I also did something that is going to make a big difference in the remainder of my time with Nutrisystem: I spent a good deal of time browsing their Recipe Center.

With hundreds of recipes sent in by members as well as page after page of them straight from the Nutrisystem Kitchen, suddenly everything seems new again... which is quite a feat after 35 weeks. Instead of only enjoying my favorites just as they come, there are ideas for how I can incorporate them into meals that range from being extremely simple to slightly complex.

First up? Baked Oatmeal.

Ingredients

1 Nutrisystem Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
⅓ to ½ cup skim milk (if you like a more firm texture use slightly less milk)
1 egg
1 small banana (sliced) OR 1 small apple, peeled, cored and diced
Sprinkle cinnamon

1. In a 1 quart bowl, wisk together the egg and the milk.

2. Add remaining ingredients, then stir to combine.

3. Microwave according to directions on the oatmeal, or microwave at 100% for 2½ minutes.

This couldn't have been easier and the result was definitely filling! Although I've been a big fan of the Nutrisystem Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal on its own, this was a way to give it more of a restaurant-quality appeal... although not exactly baked, since it never goes in the oven (which I might try sometime). But it was a great twist and of course this recipe can be used with regular oatmeal as well, so give it a try next time you're looking to bring some excitement to your own breakfast.

I've got a whole list of other recipes that I'm looking forward to trying, so by next week I expect to have found an entirely new list of favorites. Watch out 30 lbs-lost mark, I'll get you YET!

For now I'm back to being on my way, because...

Previous loss: 22.2 lbs

This week: -3.0 lbs

Total loss: 25.2 lbs

I said it was time to get serious again and I meant it... but even I was surprised by the result! My scale seemed like it was wavering a bit and giving me a different result each time I stepped on, so I changed the batteries to make sure that it was really accurate and apparently it was! Of course all this does it put me back where I was before last week, but hey, I'll take it... and by staying on track this week I expect to see even more great results next week!

If you want to see how you can lose weight and get healthy with me (I love this program!!), visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689!

Want to hear how other awesome bloggers are doing? Head over and visit Our Kids Mom, Mama Loves Her Bargains, and Closer to Lucy and cheer them on as well! I guarantee you'll be inspired!

As a member of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program, Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me to review. However, all thoughts, opinions and results expressed are completely and honestly mine; your experience or feelings may differ.

Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge DVD {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Mara!}

Someday I hope that my children will look back and think that I did nice things for them. Whether that is the fun outings that we took, the entertaining games that we played, the crafts that we did together or even just snuggling on the couch - it's nice to think that they will have good memories.

What I won't have done? Created a worldwide phenomenon that is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages like the father who invented Thomas the Tank Engine for his son 65 years ago.

Let me tell you, that's a lot to live up to in terms of good parenting.

For now, I'll just stick with bringing the love and excitement of the #1 blue engine and his friends home with great DVDs like Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge.

As Thomas and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story, viewers are able to embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.

Life on the Island of Sodor is always full of activity so all aboard for fun in Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. This collection is sure to delight children as Thomas and the Steam Team embark on four new exciting adventures. It's always full steam ahead as the stories roll along and suspense builds at every turn in these tales, featuring stunning CG animation and never-before-seen content.

Episodes included in Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge include:

• Thomas in Charge
• Henry’s Good Deeds
• O The Indignity
• A Blooming Mess
• "Thomas' Track Trivia" Game (DVD Bonus Feature)
  

For any Thomas fan, they'll love the exciting, engine-packed adventures in this collection. When Thomas and his friends are preparing for the Railway Inspector's visit to Knapford Station the coal trucks crash, covering Gordon in soot. Can Thomas take charge and help straighten out the mess? The fun will be finding out!

As well as my kids enjoying the four great new episodes of Thomas and all his friends on this DVD, I always appreciate that Thomas & Friends focuses on lessons such as working together, friendship and learning through exploration. The CG animation included is bright and colorful and makes watching this 48-minute disc a real treat.

Retailing for $14.98 (or $10.49 on Amazon), Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge is available now and would make a great gift for any young fan. And, thanks to the generosity of Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, one person will be able to give that gift, because...

One lucky person will win Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge
on DVD!

To enter to win: If your child (or the child in your life) was in charge of choosing an activity for the two of you to do together, what would it be?

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 if you Like Thomas & Friends 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!

Full steam ahead! I want to #WIN a copy of Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge on DVD from @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/r9911t #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, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on September 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 Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment for providing a copy of Thomas & Friends: Thomas in Charge for me to 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.

Prepare for Kindergarten with Dinosaur Train {Review}

Although the start of school is an exciting time for children of all ages, it is extra-special for those that are beginning for the first time.

Whether your little one is thrilled to be heading out the door with their backpack in hand or they are hesitant to come out from behind your legs, it is easier to celebrate Get Ready for Kindergarten Month (August) with back-to-school products and online educational activities from the characters that they know and love: Dinosaur Train.

Transitioning to Kindergarten can be a stressful time for young children as they take on a new role as "student" - in addition to other changes such as new surroundings, routines and expectations, and in some cases being away from parents for the first time.

There are many things, however, that can be done to help prepare children for this big transition and a familiarity with some key skills will be beneficial. The Jim Henson Company and PBS KIDS have included some fun ideas from the award-winning Dinosaur Train website that will help children familiarize themselves with and build upon some specific skills, while at the same time enjoying their favorite characters!

Practice reading and speaking. Help your child practice the letters of the alphabet while learning, speaking and singing about the diversity of dinosaurs that once lived on Earth with the "Dinosaurs A – Z song."

Learn about color. Help your child understand, investigate and make predictions about the science of color, using household basics including food coloring, clean food jars/containers, colored markers and a cookie sheet with fun science activities.

Develop fine motor skills. Coloring, cutting, drawing, buttoning, zippering, building and more can be practiced and accomplished. With Buddy’s help, these skills can even be put to use while making a Stegosaurus Puppet.

Practice gross motor skills such as running, jumping and throwing. Try "Playing Dino Ball Your Way" to improve these skills–and get some exercise too–by inventing the rules for an imaginary game and then playing it!

Explore size and scale. Using illustrations and physical markers, kids can measure out size differences in large dinosaurs to understand their size and scale - such as found in the "Even Bigger than T.rex" activity.

Of course there are many other important skills for children to be familiar with before starting Kindergarten – these are just a few to have fun with, along with your child's friends from Dinosaur Train. To further the excitement, Dinosaur Train has everything from books to toys to clothing that are sure to make learning at home and school fun for everyone.

With so many great Dinosaur Train items, we couldn't wait to take a look at each of these high quality pieces in person.

Dinosaurs A to Z from Golden Books

Written by Andrea Posner-Sanchez and illustrated by Terry Izumi, this Dinosaur Train alphabet book familiarizes readers to 26 dinosaurs - one for each letter of the alphabet. With Buddy, Mr. Conductor, and the other Dinosaur Train characters introducing dinos from Apatosaurus to Zigongosaurus, young paleontologists-in-training will love learning cool facts about 26 amazing dinosaurs.

Both of my kids found this colorful non-fiction book entertaining, while I appreciated the sturdy padded cover. This would make a great gift for any young fan! Designed for ages 3 - 5 (although I don't see why younger children couldn't enjoy it as well, as it is very durable), this fun book has a retail price of $11.99.

Dinosaur Train Coloring Pad & Marker Set from Crayola Mess Free Color Wonder

With Crayola Mess Free Color Wonder, the inks are clear and colors magically appear only when the markers meet the special Color Wonder paper. Kids are free to unleash their imaginations and love the way each marker magically reveals a different color on the special paper... while parents love the fact that Color Wonder inks will not appear on skin, walls or carpet. No clean up involved!

Designed for ages 3+ with a retail price of $7.99, this set is available now at Walmart, Target, Toys "R" Us, Kmart, Kohl's, and Meijer.

MEGA BLOKS All Aboard the Dinosaur Train! from MEGA Brands

Little dino-engineers can get all aboard the Dinosaur Train by joining Buddy and Tiny on their adventures through the Age of Dinosaurs with their tour guide Gilbert. Build and rebuild the authentic Dinosaur Train with two observation cars, opening doors and a replica brown roof as it pulls into Pteranodon Station to pick up a new group of passengers.

Featuring a Buildable Dinosaur Train and Pteranodon Station, a Mr. Conductor sticker and big red wheels that really spin, and Gilbert, Buddy and Tiny figurines, this set can be combined with other MEGA BLOKS toys to build a new adventure every time. For ages 3+, this set has a retail price of $32.99 and is available at Amazon and Toys "R" Us.

MEGA BLOKS Buddy from MEGA Brands

Give your little Dinosaur Train fan the chance to join everyone’s favorite T-Rex Buddy to meet, explore, and have adventures with all kinds of friendly dinosaurs aboard The Dinosaur Train. Sit bobble head Buddy in his Dinosaur Train passenger car and get ready to find out all about his favorite prehistoric friends with the included fun and informative dinosaur fact card.

Features include a buildable Buddy passenger car and scenery block, bobble head Buddy figurine, and a fun dinosaur fact card that teaches all about different types of dinosaurs. This toy can also be combined with other MEGA BLOK items for mix and match fun. For ages 3+, Buddy has a retail price of $6.99 and is available at Amazon, Kmart and Toys "R" Us.

DINOSAUR TRAIN APPAREL from Kids with Character

Dinosaur Train's summer line shirts and pants/shorts sets are great for back to school. With their bright colors, cute characters and high quality, they easily work together as well as being able to mix with the outfits already in your child's closet.

Available in August and September at Kohls and Kmart, prices vary on this fun clothing.

Whether you have a child going to Kindergarten this year or not, these Dinosaur Train activities and products are sure to bring a smile. The hit show from The Jim Henson Company is seen in over 13 million households every month and embraces and celebrates preschoolers' fascination with both dinosaurs and trains. The series encourages scientific thinking and other skills as it teaches viewers about natural science, natural history and paleontology.

For more information, visit PBS Kids on their website, Twitter, and Facebook and connect with The Jim Henson Company on Twitter and Facebook as well.

(Other than the information and Dinosaur Train products that I received, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this post in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this show and these items.)