We had the pleasure of visiting the Grand Mound Washington Great Wolf Lodge this weekend. I was surprised that at the 4 o’clock check in, there were only about 3 people in front of me. Check in went fast and we were on to our room on the 4th floor (there are 7 floors!). The elevators proved to test my patience as they were relativity slow for having 3 of them, but they are rather large ones, so I am sure they stay busy. We found our way to our room, it had:

• 2 queen beds
• sofa bed
• TV
• Iron board
• Laundry bag
• Table & chairs
• Coffee Table
• fridge
• safe
• hair dryer
• coffee pot w/ coffee & cups
• extra pillows and blankets
• towels
• soaps, hand creams and Scoops bath for the kids

Here are some pictures I took while we were there. (Excuse the quality, I used my cell phone so it would be easier)

My recommendations for getting the best savings at any of the Great Wolf Lodge locations are:

• The rooms have a mini fridge, take water bottles, juice boxes and even lunchables. It will cut back on the costs of the kids wanting to purchase drinks.
• Purchase the Cub Pack for your kids. Its $60 each but you will save almost $100 with this bundle. It includes a stuffed animal, wand and several other activities.
• The best deal for staying in to eat is the Wolf Den Meal. It has a pizza, 2 liter, salad and bread sticks for $26.99. You can also go out and bring the food back to your room or even order out and have it delivered to the front desk.
• Take your own flip flops or water shoes so you don’t have to rent them.
• Towels are provided free if you want a lighter luggage.
• Search out discounts on your room. If you have to, call and ask what is available. (Military discounts available!)
• Buy the kids disposable water proof cameras for added fun
• There are lots of free activities that are free, so find them out and have fun!

1 Winner will get a 1 night stay at the Grand Mound Washington Great Wolf Lodge!

Entries: (any or all)

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Ends Feb 24th

Open to USA & Canada (Prize is for GWL in Wa only)

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I received a discounted stay for my review. Top photo from Google

Umi has recently introduced 2 new lines:

Umi Baby Shoes:

Encourage exploration and curiosity with Umi’s brilliantly redesigned baby collection.  Hand-crafted styles invite flexibility for growing infants with a corresponding fit for each transformative milestone.  Umi’s children’s shoes guides their first steps into the future.

UmiSport:

Machine Washable.  Play. Wash. Repeat

Lightweight shoes built to play hard.  Removeable anti-bacterial footbed to keep feet fresh and dry.

The three year old chose:

Shane in Gray Multi:

Shane has the sleek styling of a European athletic shoe but is made for any tough-on-their-feet big boy and girl. With light weight construction for making tracks in serious comfort. Removable, machine washable anti-bacterial footbed keeps feet fresh. Play, wash, repeat!

Retails for $58.00.

My take:  Shipping was lightning fast and my little track star was wearing these beloved shoes in no time.  I am not sure if it is the orange of the silver color that draws him in but we have worn these shoes each and every day since he has received them.  He calls them his “super fast super cool shoes”.  I call them amazingly light-weight, easy to don/doff shoes.  I love the anti-bacterial footbed that you simply remove, toss in the washer and you are good to go.  Since we have had more mud than snow this year, the footbed has been a lifesaver saving us from horrible smelling feet/socks.

As always these shoes are very comfortable, roomy and secure on his feet.  The velcro straps allow for secure attachment to his feet and he feels like a big boy since he is able to independently put these on.  I can’t wait for the baby to arrive in July so we can try the UmiBaby shoes.

Umi Shoes is generously offering 1 lucky MommyPR reader a $60 Umi gift card to select their own favorite shoe!

Win It

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Umi Shoes and tell me a shoe style you like that I have not mentioned in this post!

Extra Entries:

Blog about this giveaway with a link back here & Umi Shoes

Become a fan of Umi on Facebook

Follow Umi on  Twitter

See the Contest Rules for even more Entries!

Open to US

Contest ends 11:59 pm Pacific Time on 2/24/12

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

Touch Mouse features a large touch-sensitive surface that responds to one-, two- and three-fingered movements that are optimized for window management: snapping, moving, minimizing and maximizing, going backwards and forwards on your webpage, swinging between tasks, and so on. Its contoured shape fits comfortably in your hand, and with built-in BlueTrack Technology you can to use it virtually anywhere. Touch Mouse is easy to learn and fun to use, but you can still point and click as you would with your old mouse while getting comfortable with the Touch gestures.

Sleek and bold, Touch Mouse features a large touch-sensitive surface that responds to one-, two- and three-fingered movements that are optimized for window management: docking, moving, minimizing and maximizing, going backwards and forwards on your webpage, swinging between tasks, and so on. Touch Mouse is easy to learn and fun to use, but you can still point and click as you would with your old mouse while getting comfortable with the Touch gestures.

While I am not a mouse person, I couldn’t wait to try this new one from Microsoft. It looked pretty cool in its magnetic showcase when it arrived. Reading through the manual will make you scared at first. 1 finger makes it do this, run 2 across it and it does other things, yada yada, I was too far lost to even look back. I dove right in and instantly did like the ease of gliding. That would be the BlueTrack Technology. I also liked that it was wireless, that was always my ordeal with mice, is the cord would only go so far but I was never watching so i would be clear across the table, eyes still on the screen and bam…on the ground. The design itself is nice, it fits your hand pretty easy.

Right now Microsoft has a contest going on over at Art Of Touch. Go see how easy this new mouse will feel in your hands by designing some art. Plus, have fun, enter it in the contest, and see if you win!

And here is my masterpiece on Art Of Touch LOL. (still getting use to it!)

1 Winner will get an Microsoft Touch Mouse of their own! (Exclusively for Windows 7)

Mandatory:

Go over and try the Art Of Touch yourself and tell me how fun it was

Bonus: (any or all)

  What mouse are you currently using?

Follow Microsoft on Twitter

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Ends Feb 17th

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I received product for my review.  I am part of #WindowsChampions

Benefits:

•  Develops auditory, physical and tactile skills
•  Aids in the development of coordination skills

Ages: 0 months +
Suggested Retail: $49.99

1 Winner will get an i-Gym of their own!

Mandatory:

What else do you like from Chicco?

Bonus: (any or all)

  Like Chicco Baby on Facebook

Follow Chicco Baby on Twitter

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Ends Feb 17th

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I declined product for my review. All info provided.

ShopRunner, a members-only free shipping service that provides users access to the organizational products they need to quickly tackle their spring cleaning tasks with free two-day shipping from over 90 top retailers, has compiled a list of the top 10 organizational items from a variety of today’s most popular retailers, including Organize.com, drugstore.com and Toys’R’Us.

1.       A multi-pocket behind the seat organizer to keep favorite on-the-go items sorted and in one place

2.       A spinning stand to store and organize coffee pods

3.       An overdoor cap and hat organizer gives users the space to store 24 favorite hats

4.       A cosmetic organizer provides three tiers of organization and fits seamlessly into bathroom décor

5.       Pick up a new nightstand for kids’ rooms, such as this one from Toys ‘R’ Us

6.       A hanging extra closet rod allows for twice the amount of clothes to be hung in given closet space

7.       Update the medicine cabinet to include a sorted first aid kit

8.       A new jewelry box can stylishly store the best accessories

9.       A bamboo bath tissue holder can free up under-the-counter space formerly taken up by bulky toilet paper rolls

10.   A cord organizer helps easily identify and separate those wires that so often can tangle

Sign up now for a free 30 day trial with Shop Runner!

 Win IT!

1 Winner will get a $50 gift certificate to Organize.com

Mandatory:

Which store are you glad to see on the partner list for Shop Runner

Bonus: (any or all)

  Like Shop Runner on Facebook

Follow Shop Runner on Twitter

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Ends Feb 13th

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I declined product for my review. All info provided.

When we think of our skin and cold winter months – dry, itchy, inflamed and cracked are a few trademark characteristics that come to mind.  Imagine how this must feel on a baby, whose skin is even more sensitive and susceptible to “eczema”, especially during the winter.

Aquaphor Healing Ointment – The Baby Healing Ointment is a pediatrician-recommended formula that will soothe and protect your baby’s uncomfortable dry skin and provide effective relief for dry, cracked skin. 

Aquaphor Gentle Wash & Shampoo –  is a mild, tear-free and fragrance-free cleanser for daily use on baby’s sensitive skin.  Aquaphor soothes and protects your baby’s skin to help keep your baby comfortable throughout the entire winter.

My take:  My sister is a NICU nurse and I remember the first time my baby broke out with eczema during the winter, she immediately suggested trying Aquaphor.  We still continue to struggle with eczema in the winter and the Healing Ointment seems to soothe like none other….I have even used it on my dry and cracking hands  with great success.  This was our first time trying the gentle wash and shampoo but neither boy complained about stinging in the eyes and their skin is left super soft and supple.

Aquaphor is generously offering 1 lucky MommyPR reader the same two products I reviewed (Gentle Wash & Shampoo and Healing Ointment) AND a $50 Visa Gift Card!

Win It

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me why you need this Aquaphor package!

Open to US residents only

Contest ends 11:59 pm Pacific Time on 2/13

See Contest Rules for More Entries

There you have it – lot’s of ways to enter so please help us get the word out and good luck!!!!

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

Just like there is no better protector of our country than the Navy SEALs, there is no better protector of your identity than LifeLock – which offers the most comprehensive identity theft protection service available.  Armed with advanced technologies and world class member service, identity thieves don’t stand a chance.

Description of the film:
An unprecedented blend of real-life heroism and original filmmaking, Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs in a powerful story of contemporary global anti-terrorism. Inspired by true events, the film combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the minute battlefield technology and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure.

Act of Valor takes audiences deep into the secretive world of the most elite, highly trained group of warriors in the modern world. When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the valiant men of the Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to country, team and their families back home.

Each time they accomplish their mission, a new piece of intelligence reveals another shocking twist to the deadly terror plot, which stretches from Chechnya to the Philippines and from Ukraine to Somalia. The widening operation sends the SEALs across the globe as they track the terrorist ring to the U.S.-Mexico border, where they engage in an epic firefight with an outcome that has potentially unimaginable consequences for the future of America.

Visit the Act of Valor tab on the LifeLock Facebook page, where you can enter to win 2 tickets to the world premiere of the film. The prize includes one trip for two (winner plus guest) to Los Angeles for the premiere. (Included is round-trip air transportation, ground transportation between the airport-hotel and the hotel-premiere event, hotel accommodations for for two nights, and $1,000 spending money for the winner.) Approximate retail value of the grand prize is up to $3,500. After entering to win, tyou can also write a note to a U.S. soldier. (Ends Feb 3rd 2012)

You may ask why LifeLock is so passionate about our troops, but the truth is, soldiers and families are just as passionate about them. Many may not know this, but in the military our SSN are everywhere. On our ID’s, the duffle bags, all paperwork. A soldier is known by his number. Especially during a deployment with birth dates and SSNs can be placed in an enemies hand much easier. If it’s out there in the open, how can it be so secure? In December of 2010, a study was released of banks and various companies who had their records breached. Sun Trust Banks reported 600,000 records were possibly breached where as TMobile had 22. Now in my mind, I would have thought the 2 numbers would be switched around, as I have more trust in my bank than my cell phone. Imagine that.

Win It!
1 reader will win a set of tickets to a screening of Act Of Valor. If a screening is not available in the winner’s area, the winner will receive movie vouchers.

Any or All:

  Like LifeLock on Facebook

Follow LifeLock on Twitter

Write a Thank You to the Troops in the comment box

Share anyway you like (daily)

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Ends Feb 10th

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No Other Entries

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I am a Lifelock ambassador…and proud military spouse

References Used:

http://www.idtheftcenter.org/artman2/uploads/1/ITRC_Breach_Stats_Report_20101229.pdf

http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/01/10/1505019/study-troops-face-high-risk-of.html

 TruMoo Chocolate Milk: Good nutrition, great taste, no debate. It’s a nutritious snack that satisfies moms and kids alike. Because TruMoo is made with real, fresh white milk, it has essential nutrients your kids need: calcium, protein, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin and vitamins A, D and B12. TruMoo is made with table sugar, not high fructose corn syrup. And our chocolate milk is produced with pure cocoa, so you know your kids will love the taste of this nutritious treat that you can feel good giving your kids every day. To find TruMoo at a retailer near you, visit www.TruMoo.com. Also find us on Facebook and Twitter as @TruMooMilk

Have you ever heard of TruMoo Milk? Chances are you haven’t, but you should get to know it. Imagine how many kids are going to love the name alone! It sounds fun! Even I giggled as I called my local Wendy’s to see if they had any “TruMoo” milk in stock for the kids meals. How often do you get to make that call.

The only difference in this milk from other dairy is that it has less sugar and made from pure coco. It tastes and looks creamier and thicker. My girls didn’t make any notion of not drinking it and believe me, as soy lovers, they are picky on milk. I have poured a few brands down my drain after trying everything to get them to drink it, so this wins with us.

TruMoo will run you a little higher (depending on areas), around $4, but they do have milk coupons on their site. They do have more flavors such as strawberry and coffee. See if they have TruMoo in your area, if not, they may actually have it at your local Wendy’s.

So what is my final verdict? I say, if you can get coupons for TruMoo, or if its around the same price, you might as well give your child a better alternative. Less sugar and better ingredients is always best. There has to be a reason it won the PTPA Award.

Win It! (Double your chances! Enter over at PTPA for the same prizes)

Five (5) winners:

• 2 Winners for the GRAND Prize Pack: A TruMoo branded apron, lunch bag and grocery tote AND a TruMoo branded 4GB mino HD Flip video camera
• 3 Winners for the Basic Prize Pack: A TruMoo branded apron, lunch bag and grocery tote.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I am a PTPA Blogger. I received products to review. 

Some information was taken from sponsors site.

According to Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of “The Doctors,” identifying whole grain products can be challenging. Shoppers can look for nutritional cues on the front of the box, but they need to read the ingredient list to know if they are getting enough whole grain. Ingredient lists detail ingredients in order of prevalence, and if the words “whole grain” are followed by a grain like wheat or oats, it means the food contains more whole grain than any other single ingredient. Here’s how to determine if your cereals have whole grain as a first ingredient:

With all the health messages facing grocery store shoppers, it can be confusing to translate what appears on food labels into nutritional needs, and hard to determine which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

• Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day’s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.
• Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.
• Don’t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don’t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help with choosing products with whole grain, General Mills developed “Fast Lane for Whole Grain,” an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check.

Make a commitment to add more whole grain to your diet by simply pouring a bowl of cereal with the white check including Cheerios^®, Lucky Charms^®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch^®, Honey Nut Cheerios^® and Total^®.

For more information on the importance of whole grain and a chance to enter the “Fast Lane for Whole Grain” sweepstakes, visit www.WholeGrainNation.com.

My take:  I rarely buy Lucky Charms so I knew this would be the first box that was devoured and I was right.  Since then we have steadily made our way through 3 of the boxes whether it is for breakfast or an after school snack!  And I now know to look for the white check when buying cereal.

General Mills is generously offering 1 lucky MommyPR reader their very own prize pack of  Cheerios^®, Lucky Charms^®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch^®, Honey Nut Cheerios^® and Total^® cereals!

Win It

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me what cereal you like best!

Open to US residents only

Contest ends 11:59 pm Pacific Time on 2/10

See Contest Rules for More Entries

There you have it – lot’s of ways to enter so please help us get the word out and good luck!!!!

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The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

Watch their commercial below and then I will explain what they are:

Stuffies™ toys are more than just a loveable, huggable pet. With 7 secret pockets, they keep your child’s treasures safe and sound and SO much more! Just throw in their pajamas, and they’re the perfect travelling buddies for sleepovers. Soft and plush, Stuffies make for a cozy pillow at home or on the go. Best of all, it’s what’s inside that counts – each Stuffie™ comes with its own secret gift hidden inside. 

Ok, so 1st off, we always tell our kids, don’t judge a book because its what’s on the inside that counts. This is basically off that quote. These awesome pets have 7 secret pockets (I think I only found 4 of them so far lol). But they are snuggly still. So they are able to put their MP3 players in them, or their DS, maybe a note from their best friend, and then still use it as a pillow.

I was sent 2 of them for review, and I am glad they surprised me on the animal choices because I certainly would not have been able to pick just one….or two. My girls were floored. They knew no other kid on our block had those yet. My youngest couldn’t believe you could hide stuff in them. I just has to reassure her, FOOD was not allowed in her dinosaur or it would make the Stuffie poop in her bed. Yea, that did the trick for that one just fine lol. My oldest actually likes to hide little things in her bed, pens, paper, games; at least i know where to look now if i can’t find her “long lost homework” ;- )

From a moms aspect: Adorable is not the word. Large is not the word (Cough- Bear is a crazy 20 inches long, 12 inches high, 9 inches wide!!). Outstanding quality is not even the word. Combine those, stick the biggest smile on your kids face, and tattoo the word uniquely awesome on top of all that. That is how I would describe this new uber toy- Stuffies.

And just a side note- should they come out with a Panda, mama is getting one!

1 Winner will get a Stuffies of their own!

Mandatory:

Which is your favorite Stuffies?

Bonus: (any or all)

  Like Stuffies on Facebook

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Ends Feb 3rd

Open to USA

No Other Entries

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I received product for my review