Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness month, and I was provided a book to review from Workman Publishing that is geared towards autistic kids!  I apologize for posting this on the last day of the month, but due to childbirth and then power outages due to storms, I am just now getting to post it.

Workman Publishing has some great books for all ages!  This time they provided me with a copy of "Point to Happy" by Miriam Smith and Afton Fraser.  This is a very simple book geared towards kids on the autism spectrum.  "Point to Happy" is a large board book that comes with its own pointer finger.  The pointer helps implement the motor tasks of holding and pointing.  The photographs in the book are large and simple.  The sentences are short and easy to understand.  If your child is a visual learner, then this book can definitely be a helpful tool!

When we received this book, Sydney was so excited!  No, she isn't autistic, but she loves books and she enjoys trying to find the correct pictures that go with the sentences I'm reading.  The pointer is very easy for her to use and seems to be very sturdy.  After reading the book together a few times, she will "read" it to herself.  She will say, "Which one is sad?" and then point to the boy that is sad and continue through the book.  I think this book would be very helpful for any young kids.  It shows pictures of daily activities like playing, sleeping, brushing teeth, and also emotions like sad, happy, mad, etc.  I love that this is a large board book so that I don't have to worry about torn pages!

If you know of any parents or teachers that help teach autistic children, please tell them about this book so they can see if it would be of help in their situation!

Lovable Labels Review and Giveaway

Do you remember my previous review for Lovable Labels? (See it here).  Well, they offered up their new address labels for me to review recently, and let me tell you it couldn't have come at a better time!  I was getting ready to send out 'Thank You' cards and I was dreading all the address writing.  I received the "Fancy Nancy Gold" labels, and when they arrived they looked great.  I was so happy to have some nice address labels.  You can get 240 labels for $18.50 from Lovable Labels. 

*No, this is not my information, but my labels looked great!*

I really like Lovable Labels and their products.  They have good quality labels for pretty much all of your needs - from clothing labels to bag tags to address labels and more.  In my experience, their labels work very well!  This would make a good birthday gift for those kids you know that have everything.

GIVEAWAY

Lovable Labels has generously supplied us with a "Camp Pack" for one lucky winner!  Thanks, Lovable Labels!

How to Enter: 

Mandatory:  Go to the Lovable Labels website and leave us a comment (one per day only, please) telling us which one of their amazing product is your favorite! Once you’ve entered by leaving a comment, you can gain additional entries:

Extra Entries (Leave one comment per extra entry):(1 entry) - Follow @mylovablelabels on Twitter HERE

(1 entry) - ‘Like’ Lovable Labels on Facebook HERE
(1 entry) - ‘Like’ So Mommy on Facebook HERE and let me know if you are a new fan
(1 entry) - Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave me the link

**This giveaway ends just in time for summer activities!  Ends on May 2, 2011 at 5 p.m. CST.  The winner will be selected by random draw and will have 48 hours to respond to our notification email before another winner is selected.  This giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only.**

**I received sample products in exchange for my honest review.  See full disclosure for more information.**

Boogie Wipes Celebrate Teachers!

May 6th is National Provider Appreciation Day, and in honor of the day Boogie Wipes has created an exclusive Boogie Wipes kit which contains: a poster with Save the Sleeve pledge guidelines, 50 Boogie Wipes samples, $.50 OFF coupons, 2 classroom canisters and 10 Free Boogs, the Boogie Buddy classroom mascot.

The Boogie Wipes National Provider Appreciation Day Kit is available for at limited time only. The cost of the kit is $15 and it will be available until May 6, 2011.

About Boogie Wipes

Boogie Wipes are a unique saline nose wipe that are much softer and gentler on young noses than tissues, and the fun scents like Great Grape encourage children to remember the importance of not using their hand or sleeve to wipe a messy nose, keeping clothes clean and helping prevent the spread of germs.

Boogie Wipes are made with natural saline to dissolve boogies (mucus) caused by the common cold, allergies or otherwise booger-filled kid moments. Extra soft, alcohol, phthalate and paraben free, Boogie Wipes are available in Great Grape, Fresh Scent, Magic Menthol and Simply Unscented. Recommended by pediatricians as a gentle, effective alternative to a dry tissue.

About National Provider Appreciation Day

National Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize childcare providers, teachers and other educators of young children. Started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. The founding organizers saw the need to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Momentum and support for this event has grown each year and recognition presently includes individuals and government organizations throughout the United States.

Skin MD Natural - Review and Giveaway

About Skin MD Natural

Skin MD Natural is a shielding lotion that works to prevent dry skin in two ways.  First, it assists the inner layers of skin to absorb moisture. The humectant (an ingredient that attracts moisture) used in Skin MD Natural is unique to it and has been laboratory tested to be 6 times more effective than any other you will find in common creams.  Second, a shielding lotion enhances the power of the top layer of the skin to resist environmental irritants while protecting the inner natural moisture.

This can be a big benefit for those who cook, wash dishes and garden because Skin MD Natural helps skin retain its natural moisture and oils in the face of all those irritating soaps and chemicals.

The manufacturer's website http://www.skinmdnatural.com/ has hundreds of dermatologist and user reviews including many addressing severe dry skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. People with sensitive skin -- and those of us who like to live as naturally as possible -- will appreciate that Skin MD Natural is hypoallergenic, free of fragrances, parabens and colorants. It is made with more than 90% natural ingredients and 100% food-grade ingredients that are on the FDA's "most safe" list.

My Review

I received a bottle of Skin MD Natural skin care to try for myself.  I don't have any specific skin problems other than regular, irritating dry skin - especially during the winter.  I love that this lotion is thick and it doesn't have a strong smell.  I normally hate to use lotion for those reasons.  This lotion absorbs into your skin very quickly.  I did get a really bad sunburn right after receiving this lotion.  I started putting this on it before and after it started peeling.  It didn't prevent the peeling, but it sure made it feel better while it was healing!  If you are looking for a lotion that works and doesn't feel so thick, this is definitely the lotion for you!

GIVEAWAY

Skin MD is offering one lucky reader a bottle of Skin MD Natural! Open to contiguous U.S. addresses only.

How to Enter:

(1 entry) - 'Like' Skin MD on Facebook HERE

(1 entry) - Follow Skin MD on Twitter HERE

(1 entry) - Follow So Mommy by Google Friend Connect

(1 entry) - 'Like' So Mommy on Facebook HERE

(1 entry) - Visit the Skin MD YouTube channel HERE and tell me one thing you learned!

**Giveaway will end May 2, 2011 at 5 p.m. CST.  Winner will be drawn by a random number generator and contacted by email.  If winner doesn't respond in 48 hours, another winner will be drawn.** 

**I received Skin MD product in exchange for this review.**

13 Deals - Review and Giveaway

Have you heard of those one deal a day sites? I know there are several out there...and I know a LOT of people that check them routinely (I may be one of those people...). If you like those type of sites, then you are going to LOVE this new website called 13 Deals.  If you think the name of the website means 13 deals instead of just one, you are completely RIGHT!  13 Deals offers a wide variety of products, and they even have a 13 Deals Pets website where they have pet deals!  The deals at 13 Deals change all day, so be sure to keep checking back - you may find that product you've been dying to have!

I received the Sesame Street Silly Snacks Cooking with Kids book to review from 13 Deals.  I was really excited to get this book.  Sydney has recently discovered a love of "helping" in the kitchen - whether it's washing dishes or cooking.  This book gives her a way to help out.  The book includes several different kid-friendly recipes that are easy to make with your kids.  Sydney is only 2, so she isn't much help yet, but she will be soon!  My favorite thing aout the Sesame Street Silly Snacks book is that it is a board book, so no worrying about pages getting torn!  It has several pictures to help your child understand what you are making!  This book is a great deal at $6.99 +S&H from 13 Deals, but you better hurry before they sell out!

GIVEAWAY

13 Deals is offering one lucky reader a copy of Sesame Street Silly Snacks Cooking with Kids! Open to contiguous U.S. addresses (include PO box) only.

How to Enter:

(1 entry) - 'Like' 13 Deals on Facebook HERE

(1 entry) - Follow 13 Deals on Twitter HERE

(1 entry) - Follow So Mommy by Google Friend Connect

(1 entry) - 'Like' So Mommy on Facebook HERE

(1 entry) - Visit 13 Deals and tell me which current product you would like!

**Giveaway will end May 2, 2011 at 5 p.m. CST.  Winner will be drawn by a random number generator and contacted by email.  If winner doesn't respond in 48 hours, another winner will be drawn.** 

**I received the mentioned book in exchange for this review.**

Giveaway Winners!

Oops! I completely forgot to draw winners for the last 2 giveaways! Having a baby definitely threw off my routine...without further ado, here are the winners:

OnTray2Go: Marie O.

Motherlove Diaper Rash/Thrush salve: Jenlcrum

Congratulations to the winners...and Marie - I don't know how, but you have been very lucky on my blog lately! Random.org apparently loves you!

Captain Planet and the Planeteers: Season One

Captain Planet and the Planeteers: Season One DVD was released by Shout! Factory yesterday.  Do any of you remember watching this as a kid? I know I do!  Actually, when I told my older sister I was reviewing the DVD, she started singing the theme song (I have to admit, I didn't remember the song). 

For those that don't know, the Planeteers work as a team and use their powers (Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Heart) to form the hero known as Captain Planet.  Together, they try to prevent crimes against the planet and stop Eco-villains.  The episodes include the voices of well-known actors/actresses such as Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Sting and more!  Shout! Factory even used Eco-friendly packaging.  You can buy the DVD set HERE for $23.99 + S&H.

I enjoyed these cartoons.  They aren't the extremely violent cartoons that I've noticed lately, and they actually help teach kids that the Earth is important and we should do our part to help protect it.  Now, I'm not one to do things just because it's going to save the environment, but I think we shoulg be teaching our kids that we should do what we can.  I would definitely be more willing to let my children watch these cartoons over many of the "super hero" shows on t.v.



**I received Captain Planet and the Planeteers: Season One in exchange for my personal review.**

Achooz Review

From the makers of Boogie wipes, comes one of my new favorite products...Achooz!  I wasn't sure that I would like Achooz when I first received them.  I love using Boogie Wipes on Sydney because they are so soft and make nose cleaning so much easier, but I wasn't sure I wanted a "wipe" for my own nose.  Until I tried Achooz. 

Achooz were created using a unique non-medicated formula which breaks down mucus and soothes the nose while wiping. It includes the same gentle, patent-pending magic of saline, vitamin E and aloe as our Boogie Wipe products and is available in Fragrance Free for everyday use and Cool Menthol for extra stuffy noses. 

Let me just say this, being pregnant AND having the flu is no fun, but when my nose started running I was miserable.  I hate having a runny nose.  For one, it's just plain irritating.  For two, by the end of the day...my nose usually hurts from all the wiping.  I was glad that I had the Cool Menthol Achooz to try out this time!  I will confess that I didn't use them for every nose wipe (because I felt like I was wasting them...I know, I'm a little weird).  I did use one every few nose wipes, and I loved breathing in the menthol!  These definitely helped keep my nose from getting raw like it normally does.  

Achooz are available at Walgreens, among other retailers and if you visit their website you can even print a coupon for $.50 off your next Achooz purchase.  I would definitely recommend these for anyone with a runny nose!  They are amazing!

The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall

Do you like to blog about the books you read?  If so, you should check out Blogging for Books. WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group provides you with free books in exchange for an honest review.  So far, I have really liked the selection of books I've been given.

The most recent book I was given the chance to review was "The Bridge of Peace" by Cindy Woodsmall.  Cindy is a New York Times best-selling author, who is known mostly for her connection with the Amish community. This connection allows her to write very true-to-life Amish novels.  I was impressed with her attention to detail in this book!

"The Bridge of Peace" is a novel about a young Amish girl named Lena, who is a school teacher waiting on Mr. Right.  She has dealt with a noticable birthmark on her cheek all her life, and at times feels like it is what is holding her back.  In this novel, we see many different families, their joys and tragedies, and also how they come together to help each other in times of need. 

I absolutely loved this book!  I can't say enough about it.  I couldn't put it down until I finished.  I don't normally like the romantic-type novel, but this one had so much more in it than just romance.  It showed the difficulties of Amish life, and how they deal with problems similar to our own, such as Lena's self-conciousness about her birthmark.  As a school teacher, Lena has to deal with difficult students and parents - which I'm sure any teacher out there can relate to.  Cindy Woodsmall is definitely a winning writer if you ask me.  She includes so many details about the Amish traditions and way of life that really brings this book to life!  I felt like I was almost there with Lena when I was reading!  I would definitely recommend this book (and author) to anyone who reads for enjoyment!