All posts by Alicia

Kids Central Kitchen baking mixes – review, coupon, and giveaway

Educational Toys, Food and Drink, Fun stuff for parents, , , , , ,

Kidscentralkitchen_flapjacksPlaying with kids can be a chore for parents.  Kids play by their own rules and often with toys that are missing pieces which gets very frustrating for me.  If you are looking for something more structured, fun, and educational to do with your young kids, look no further than Kids Central Kitchen.  My kids LOVE to help me cook and love the end result even more.

  • Kids Central Kitchen has 7 different baking mixes including Flap Jacks, Propellar Energy Bars (my favorite), and Brownies. 
  • You provide minimal ingredients, mostly water, milk, oil, and/or yogurt and the rest is in the baking mix. 
  • These baking mixes provide an easy, fun way for older kids to work on basic skills like measuring and reading.
  • Simple yes, full of yummy delicious flavor.. yes!

You'll also find kitchen utensils, bakeware, and baking supplies at Kids Central Kitchen and while you're there check out the Kids Baking Party in a Box!

WEBSITE

COUPON CODE: MOMMY15 – get 15% off your order (expires 12/31/09)

GIVEAWAY: One lucky reader will win a $25 Kids Central Kitchen gift certificate!
Leave a comment below telling me what color the BIG mixing bowl on the Kids Central Kitchen homepage is and your email address will be entered in the giveaway drawing!  GET TWO ENTRIES when you tell me a short story about a funny cooking experience you've had in the comments area below.

CORNEILLE, The Birth of Cornelius CD

Music, , , , , , ,

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I LOVE this CD.  I am very picky about the music I listen to. It takes a really good voice to make me happy and I won't waste my time on music that I consider to be less than perfect.  A few of my favorite artists are  Tori Amos, Cocteau Twins, Enya, and Sarah McLachlan.  Corneille's music is not limited to one genre which I appreciate.  There is a mix of R & B, soul, and 'jazzy' music on The Birth of Cornelius. 

Corneille, The Birth of Cornelius is a CD you can listen to while
driving, taking a relaxing bath, or while fixing dinner.  I find it
extremely relaxing and easy to listen to while working. This CD is a moms best friend.

I you feel so inclined to listen to and watch the very handsome Corneille speak french, click over to The Birth of Cornelius website where even if you don't understand a work he's saying, you'll feel the loveHearticon
. And if you can't get enough of Cornelius you can download a nice crisp photograph of him for your desktop!  While you're on the website, you can listen to tracks and watch videos.

Corneille's story is one of happiness, sorrow, and reconnection. Corneille was born in Germany and at the age of six his family returned to Rwanda, their country of origin.  As a boy, Corneille began to develop an interest in music—initially discovering Michael Jackson and then the great soul artists who would shape his style: Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Prince.   When Corneille's father heard him singing in his room as a young boy, his father said to him, ‘That sounds good, it kind of sounds like Tracy Chapman.’   At age 16, he made his first recording, and was selected as a finalist in a music contest sponsored by the state-run television station.

Cornelius The 1994 genocide claimed the lives of both of his parents.  Corneille alone escaped and he made his way to Germany to live with family friends where he spend the next 10 years in denial but never bitter.  Corneille is a truly amazing man as you will learn through his music.

Corneille is a Red Cross Canada spokeperson, has been made a Unicef
Goodwill Ambassador, and continues to be active in those and other
humanitarian roles.

New from Coach’s spring 2009 Parker line: Parker Leather Shoulder Bag

Clothes - mom & dad, For Mom Only!, , , , , , , ,

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The second in my series of Coach Parker handbag reviews.. the Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is yet another beautiful new bag from Coach's new Parker line. 

The Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is a gorgeous, mid-sized, leather shoulder bag with fabric trim and a delicate fabric inner lining. 
This bag is the rosegold/nickel color/style.  In addition to this beautiful metallic color, the Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is available in three beautiful spring inspired shades that work well with the season’s key colors.  This Parker bag will make even your simplest ensemble look radiant. The shaded Parker Leather Shoulder bags are $358 while the metallic bag is $398 and is an excellent value as it is a handbag that you will enjoy for many years.

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Why I love the Coach Parker Leather Shoulder Bag:

  • The size is perfect for a mom with a toddler.
    Madleyn is 2 so I don't have to carry 3 outfits, diapers, 2 sippies, snacks, etc..

Coachinside I carry 1 change of clothes, a sippy cup, a snack bag, a book, and a toy.  All of these things plus my wallet, phone, and 'accessories' fit nicely in this Parker.

  • One of the outer gusset pockets holds Madelyn's sippy cup and the other holds my iPhone giving me access to two of the most important things I need when I'm out.
  • The 18” handle with 8 1/2” drop makes the bag easy to carry and get into even while I'm carrying Madelyn.
  • I love that the inner slip and zipper pockets in this bag are thin and not bulky so they don't stick out into the bag but give just enough room for storing lipstick, a compact mirror, and even an 8 pack of crayons.
  • The Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is available in rosegold/nickel (shown here) and three solid shades.

    • Overall, the Coach Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is an excellent bag for moms with new babies and toddlers alike and of course for women in general!

    GIVEAWAY     There are two ways to enter.
    Enter to win this Coach Parker Leather Shoulder Bag by simply leaving a comment below telling me why you want to win this bag and your email address will be entered once. 
    2 ENTRIES: Your email address will be entered twice when you  subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter by April 30th.

    GOOD LUCK!

    Fisher Price Little People® celebrate 50th birthday!

    Toys, , , , , , ,

    Littlepeople50th A reminder of years passed.  I was reminded exactly how much Little People® play sets have evolved in the last 50 years when I received two commemorative play sets a couple of weeks ago. 

    As I opened the school house playset, I had flashbacks of the Little People® I played with 30+ years ago.  I remembered the wooden peg people and the lunchbox schoolhouse I played with (I thought it was a lunchbox) and who doesn't remember the famous Little People® farm playset?

    50 years ago, Little People® were chunky, colorful, wooden peg figures that kids brought to life with their imaginations.  Now, Little People® help extend youngsters imaginations with their many playsets, people, and accessories.

    Little People® friends celebrate five decades as one of the longest lasting and most beloved toy brands in the world!

    Get in on the Little People® 50th Birthday Party fun!  Visit the Fisher Price Little People® website to see all of the commemorative playsets available, learn about the live traveling musical, and other exciting things planned!

    Vermont Nut Free Chocolates

    Food and Drink, Holiday, , , , ,


    StpatricksdayvermontIt's a little late to enjoy Vermont Nut Free Chocolate's St. Patrick's Day treats but there are plenty of other reasons to order and indulge in a special nut-free chocolaty treat. There's Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and there's tomorrow! All great times for chocolate!

    Vermont Nut Free Chocolates sent a box of St. Patrick's Day chocolate coins, miniature chocolates, and Leprechaun Pops and I gave Sebastian one of each this morning. What's really funny is that I had already sent him to school and I forgot it was St. Patrick's Day! He didn't wear green, and I didn't give him a special St. Patrick's Day treat! I felt so bad. I grabbed a green sweater from Sebastian's closet, and one of each of the St. Patrick's Day treats from Vermont Nut Free Chocolates, jumped in the car and made a fool of myself at the school's reception desk when I told them that I needed to give Sebastian a green sweater and some chocolate! I know all four of the women behind the desk thought I was crazy. What's worse is that one was the school counselor. I'm sure she thinks I'm crazy!


    Vermontchocoeaseter    Vermont Nut Free Chocolates are handmade, gourmet quality candies, that provide children withpeanut and tree nut allergies a way to safely enjoy chocolate treats.They’re also a great alternative for classroom parties in peanut-free schoolsor day care centers.

    Here are some fun Vermont Nut Free Chocolates facts:

    • There's a fun chocolate tool set for little guys and dads
    • You can buy chocolate for baking including chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and unsweetened baking chocolate
    • A litter of 9 chocolate pigs is only $3.25!
    • Perfect for class treats
    • And yes, they sell Truffles!

    Treats can be ordered from the company’s web site, http://www.vermontnutfree.com/