Christmas List 2010 - Cradle Rock CD

Have you ever wished you had lullabies for your baby/child that you liked as well?  I have...many times!  Sydney has a lullaby CD that we keep in the car that she likes, but I can't stand...so I only use it for emergencies (you know, those trips around naptime).  I was recently sent Cradle Rock's first 3 CDs to try out, and I couldn't wait to get them! 

The Cradle Rock lullabies are based on music from famous artists and albums front to back, so parents can appropriately introduce their kids to the music they love.  The first 3 albums were available as of October 26th!  They are:  Michael Jackson "Thrillaby", Kenny Chesney "No shoes, No diaper, Might be a Problem!", and Johnny Cash "I crawl the Line."  Upcoming artists include: Blackeyed Peas, Carrie Underwood, and Pink Floyd!  Unlike some lullaby CDs, Cradle Rock keeps the melodic structure and tempo of each song similar to the original version.  I really liked this part because I could still hum along with the lullabies.

My whole family has enjoyed these lullabies. My husband really enjoys the Johnny Cash CD!  We are taking a long trip in 2 weeks, so we will see how well they work to put Sydney to sleep in the car then.  Hopefully, they will work as well (or better) than the weird one we currently have so that I won't have to listen to it anymore!  I think the Cradle Rock CDs will make a great gift for the baby in your family!  They are unique and sure to be a hit with the new parents!

You can visit http://www.cradlerockstore.com/, and click the album covers to hear album previews and get a feel for what Cradle Rock is all about. You can also order the album from the same website.

GIVEAWAY!
You can win your own copy of one of the 3 CDs I mentioned in this post! Keep reading to find out how.  Make sure to leave an email address you check regularly.  Leave one comment per entry.

How to Win:
(1 entry) - Tell me which CD you would choose - Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson, or Kenny Chesney
(1 entry) - "Like" Tree Top Records on Facebook HERE
(1 entry) - Follow So Mommy publicly by Google Connect
(1 entry) - "Like" So Mommy on Facebook HERE and Share this post on your page

Giveaway will end November 19th at 5pm CST.  Winner will be chosen by a random number generator and emailed, and if they do not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

**I received the mentioned CDs in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.  Please see full disclosure for more information.**

Rub-a-dub ABC and 123 toy Review

We recently received the Rub-a-dub ABC and 123 bathtub toy through Growing Tree Toys' Blog Sponsorship Program.  Growing Tree Toys is known for their imaginative learning toys for kids. Be sure to check out all of their educational toys!

As soon as Sydney saw the container of letters and numbers, she HAD to dump them everywhere and tell me what the letters were.  It was pretty funny, but I was worried that she would lose one of the many pieces before they made it to the bathtub!  The Rub a dub ABC set is made by Alex toys and includes 62 foam pieces (2 sets of alphabet letters and numbers 0-9).  These foam pieces are thick, sturdy pieces that will stick to your tub or tile when wet. 

Be sure to check out some of Alex Toys other bath items - they have some VERY unique, fun toys for kids!  I was impressed by their collection because there always seems to be a lack of tub toys in stores for toddlers.  Sydney got the Rub a dub Dirty Dogs as a Christmas present last year and loved them...over the year their spots don't seem to come and go as easily, but she still loves that she has dogs that can play in the tub.

**I received the mentioned Alex Rub a dub ABC and 123 toy from Growing Tree Toys as part of their bloggers network.  I received no other compensation.  See full disclaimer for more information.**

Uncle Goose Toys - Review

As many of you have seen in my pregnancy post, I received these adorable alphabet blocks from Uncle Goose Toys, which is manufactured and distributed by Lindenwood, Inc.  Our whole family has enjoyed these blocks!  They are larger than our other set of alphabet blocks, and therefore are easier for Sydney to hold and stack.  My husband and I use them as a message board on occasion (such as announcing I was pregnant, or just to say I love you).

These are very sturdy blocks, and they came in a nice cardboard case (though we haven’t put them up since we received them)!  They have uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers 0-9, and BUGS!  Yes, these alphabet blocks have pictures and names of bugs, such as bees, wasps, spiders, walking sticks, and many, MANY more!  If you have a bug lover, you need to get these blocks to help teach them letters and numbers, or to work on spelling and reading!  I know these blocks will last for many years…hopefully even through grandkids!

Lindenwood offers a unique selection of blocks.  Check out there selection on their website HERE.

I received a set of blocks from Lindenwood in exchange for my review.  No other compensation was received.  See my full disclaimer for more information.

Classy Sassy Girls - Review

If you have a problem buying all the cute little girl stuff you see: Beware! This this store offers a LOT of cuteness!  Classy Sassy Girls has some amazingly cute little crocheted beanies, pettiskirts, pettirompers, and hairbows!  Their little dresses make adorable flower girl dresses. 

Classy Sassy Girls were nice enough to send me 2 little hairbows to review.  They are small crocheted flowers on a small snappy clip.  They are very well made and are the perfect size for my little girls hair.  My 13 year old sister actually borrowed one from me to wear for awhile, and it looked just as cute in her hair as it did in my 20 month old’s hair!

I just love looking at all of the items Classy Sassy Girls offers!  I’m sure you all will love looking at them as well…so head on over HERE and check them out!

You can find Classy Sassy Girls on Facebook HERE.

Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander

“Within My Heart” by Tamera Alexander is part of her Timber Ridge Reflections series, but can definitely be enjoyed alone.  This was my first book to read in the series and I enjoyed it and hope to be able to read the other books in the series soon.

This book is set in a small town out west in the wilds of Colorado (back when Wal-mart and cars didn’t exist – I know, forever ago haha).  Rachel Boyd is left a widow with 2 young boys, and a ranch that was her late husbands dream.  She struggles to keep up the ranch and be the mom her boys need. When faced with a loss she simply can’t afford, she’s forced to trust in Dr. Rand Brookston, the one man she has tried to avoid at all costs.  Dr. Brookston tries to prove to Rachel that he is not the arrogant doctor she thinks he is, but realizes that she may be more stubborn that he originally thought.

The characters in this book go through more troubles than I can imagine, although I know people face troubles that are equally as difficult every day.  I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down.  So many things were always at stake for the characters in this book that I just HAD to know what would happen next!  I predicted the ending, but I had no idea how the author would get their, and I was pleasantly surprised by how she did it!

I received “Within My Heart” from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review.  No other compensation was received.  See my full disclaimer for more information.

The Baby Giraffe by Mikelle A. Bryant-Mataya

I received “The Baby Giraffe” by Mikelle A. Bryant-Mataya from Dorrance Publishing in exchange for my review.  I decided to order this particular book because it talked about the baby giraffe who had no one to play with.  Her parents decide to ask God for help, and they have a new baby!  I thought this book might be helpful since Sydney is getting a new baby soon!

The pictures in the book are hand-drawn in black and white so that your children can color them in themselves.  The story is very simple, and talks about the day to day life of the giraffe family.  It talks about the siblings playing and helping each other.  I think Sydney will enjoy coloring the pages of this book, and maybe it will help her adjust to a new sibling.

Masquerade by Nancy Moser

“Masquerade” by Nancy Moser is a Christian fiction novel set in 1886. Charlotte Gleason, the main character grows up in a wealthy home in England. She soon finds herself and her maid, Dora, on a trip to New York to marry a wealthy heir whom she has never met. On the way, her doubts get the best of her and she decides to swap identities with her maid. They both think this is the chance of a lifetime. Charlotte wants a chance at a real life and real love, and Dora is given the chance to live a fairy tale. Will they be discovered? Will they decide that the grass isn’t greener on the other side?

I very much enjoyed this book! I love stories set in the 1800s and early 1900s. I enjoyed the story line, and thought the ending was a great one. If you enjoy reading fiction, I’m sure you will enjoy this one. At the end of the book, the author offers a “Fact or Fiction” section which tells you which parts and settings are actually true, which I thought was very interesting. She also includes pictures of the outfits they discuss wearing in the book, which is helpful when you are trying to picture the lavish outfits they wore. There are also discussion questions for book clubs.

I received “Masquerade” from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. See my full disclaimer for more information.