Big Bully...Review & Giveaway!

Today I want to tell you about a children's CD that I feel very passionately about.  Big Bully, A Best Foot Forward CD from Recess Music is a CD that I would like to place in the hands of every child on the planet.  I think it is that good and I think it is that important.  All you have to do is read the paper or turn on the news and see what an epidemic the problem of bullying is.  I actually get sick to my stomach when I think about it.  As a mother my heart breaks to think of a child being bullied and I hope my children are never the victims of bullies or bullies themselves.  When I heard about Big Bully I was anxious to play it for my children.  As the title suggests, Big Bully, is full of songs handling the topic of bullying head on.  Here is a bit of background...


Recess Music, a company dedicated to helping kids value a world that is wise, fair, and generous hearted, has launched its “Best Foot Forward” series of CDs with Big Bully, an album featuring songs by such kids music luminaries as Milkshake, The Hipwaders and Renee & Jeremy.

The folks at Recess Music hope that Big Bully will help to encourage discussion among parents, children, and educators about harmony, understanding, social justice, and global peace, as well as the particular challenges caused by the unfortunate presence of intimidation and bullying behavior on our social landscape.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Big Bully opens with The Uncle Brothers’ wonderfully alliterative, two-beat country tune, ”Bully Bubba,” explaining why bullies do the things they do and providing solid, practical advice:  When you ignore them, they will go away!   In up-to-date folk style, Nancy Tucker’s “Most Valuable Player” pays tribute to doing the right thing, declaring, “No matter what the scoreboard said, that kid came out a winner.”  The Hipwaders encourage kids to develop a positive attitude to behavioral consequences with their upbeat song “Time In Time Out,” while Mary Kaye’s “Mean Ogre” features a really mean ogre singing about refusing to change. The country/rock “Me Last Attitude” by The Happy Crowd helps foster a gracious attitude that includes thinking of others first. Milkshake’s colorful, rocking “Enemies” portrays best friends who, unfortunately, sometimes act like enemies. “One and Only Me” by Janet’s Planet and “I Can Make a Difference” by J. P. Taylor & The Academics emphasize self-understanding and self-validation. The Hill Brothers have fun with “Vicious Vinnie,” a droll minor key song in praise of “talking it out” with teachers.  Susan Salidor’s lovely ukulele waltz “I’m Sorry” offers a variety of ideas for how to apologize.  More good advice for kids is given on Lyle Cogen’s rap, “No Put Downs,” and Lou Del Bianco’s “Bad Day Today.” In Leslie Bixler’s lyrical “Can You Imagine?” the focus is on empathy, with children being taken through situations where they “take a walk in someone else’s shoes.”  Glenn Colton shares more insights about bullies on “Don’t Bully Me,” singing “Bullies are like babies in disguise.”  Renee & Jeremy bring the album to a peaceful close with their mellow “Wishing Well,” a song conveying wishes of peace, love and well-being to all.


This whole entire CD is a masterpiece.  My kids LOVE the CD from start to finish.  The songs give sound advice.  For instance in "Bully Bubba" the line "telling is not tattling.  telling will protect you and me" about speaking up for yourself or others.  In Vicious Vinnie a boy is portrayed as the victim of bully and will do anything he can to avoid going to school until he tells his teacher who is able to help.  When I heard the song "I'm Sorry" I actually wept.  The line of "I am sorry I did the thing that I did that made you sad" helps children to understand the power of saying "I'm sorry".  I am actually tearing up over the beauty of it now.




I could really go on and on about this CD.  I think it is well done and enjoyable for the kids to hear and the message is SO IMPORTANT.  This CD should be in every single classroom and if I could I would hand deliver it to every teacher on the planet.  I told you....I am passionate about this one.  Please, please get this CD for the children in your life.  It is empowering and insightful and it is a step toward stopping bulling.  Pick one (or 2, or 100!) up today on the RECESS MUSIC WEBSITE.

I am thrilled to tell you that one lucky RBM reader will win a copy of Big Bully.  Thank you so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Fresh Wave....Review & Giveaway!

Something I really love is a fresh smelling house.  Living in Maine, once the temperatures start getting chilly (almost the entire year!) the windows stay shut and the air just feels stale.  Blech.  I don't like the heavy sprays of most products out there...too "fake" smelling and overpowering and with three little ones I have to be VERY careful with candles.  When I was approached by Fresh Wave to review I was thrilled.  Fresh Wave has an entire line of products whose purpose is to keep your life smelling good.  Perfect!  Here is a bit of background from the Fresh Wave website...
 
Tired of heavily perfumed deodorizers that merely mask foul smells? Fresh Wave is the cure for the common, chemical air freshener. Unscented Fresh Wave® was created to eliminate odors…naturally. Fresh Wave Sprays, Crystal Gels, Candles, Vacuum Pearls, Carpet Shake and Pearl Packs all use the power of nature for safe, non-toxic odor elimination without the use of perfumes or fragrances. Simple, natural, ingredients like Lime, Pine Needles, Aniseed Clove, Cedarwood and Water.
They’re great for the home, car, office, cabin, boat, locker, gym bag and every place else. Wherever you have an odor, we have a Fresh Wave solution.



I really love that the Fresh Wave products are made from natural ingredients and not some icky chemicals like most other products out there.  I want my home to smell good but I also do not want my family breathing in a bunch of scary chemicals.  Fresh Wave sent me a variety of products to try and I was so impressed.  Here is what I tried and what I thought of each...

Fresh Wash
This is lovely!  I add a capful to each load of laundry and it makes it smell fresh and so clean.  This even helps combat the gross "oops I left the laundry in the wash overnight" smell.  You know the one!! 

Home Candle

This all natural soy based candle is great at neutralizing odors.  I keep it in the kitchen where it easily and naturally covers up the smell of my burnt dinners!   Instead of burnt pizza my home smells faintly of fresh, crisp pine.  Much better!

Pearl Packs

These little packets are my favorite.  You can use them anywhere.  Closets, the car, shoes...even in the bagless vacuum!  Anywhere you have a tough odor or need a burst of fresh these little packets of fresh can go.  I use mine in the car and in the coat/shoe closet. 

Stinky Dorm Kit

Ok...I am well out of my dorm days and still far away from thinking about them with the kids but the two  products included in the kit are gems!  The Crystal Gel is amazing.  It literally sucks the smells from the air and replaces it with freshness.  Fabulous!  I use it in the basement and it really helps with the mustiness.  The kid also includes a room spray which adds a quick burst of freshness wherever you need it.  Our spray resides in the powder room.

This is only the beginning of the extensive variety of products Fresh Wave has to offer.  If you ever use room spray or deodorizer, I would highly recommend Fresh Wave.  I would be willing to bet once you give Fresh Wave products a try you will be a fan for life.  I know I am!  Find more information about Fresh Wave and purchase products on their website HERE.

I am so happy to tell you that the people at Fresh Wave are giving one lucky Reviewed by Mom reader a prize pack including ALL four of the products I received for this review....a more than $60 value!!  Thanks so much to Fresh Wave and here is how to enter...

Nachomamatees....Review & Giveaway!

You all already know how much my family lives in t-shirts.  When we are hanging around the house or running errands we are generally wearing t's.  When the t-shirts are funny, quirky or fun all the better! Nachomamatees has a slew of fun t-shirts for those family casual days.  I love t-shirts that can make me laugh and, let me tell you, Nachomama has a whole bunch of them!  I am particularly fond of 80's t-shirts and there are no shortage of those on Nachomama either.  Check out some of my favorite 80's t-shirts from the Nachomamatees site...

How fun are these??  I am definitely getting my husband the Griswald Family Christmas one for the holidays! Nacomamatees sent this Rusty Bucket t-shirt over to me...

I got it for husband and it  I had to have it because we are from Portland, Maine!  I am not sure there was an actual bar by this name but I love its' cool, vintage look and feel.  The quality is great and the color has stayed vibrant after many washes.  I would suggest ordering up in size because I found the fit to be a bit small. Visit Nachomamatees to check out their huge selection of fun t-shirts!

Guess what?  Nachomamatees is giving one Reviewed By Mom reader a $15 Gift Certificate to their site! In order to win you must not have won (or received for promotional purposes) a t-shirt from Nachomamatees or Crazy Dog T-shirts in the last 90 days.  Here is how to enter...

Barney: Big World Adventure....Review & Giveaway!

This week a brand new Barney MOVIE was released!  Barney:  Big World Adventure is sure to be a hit with your pre-schooler.  Here is the scoop...

It’s a super-dee-duper journey of dinosaur-ous proportions when Barney™ and his playground friends take a balloon ride around the world in the all-new Barney: Big World Adventure - The Movie coming to DVD, Digital Download and On Demand September 13, 2011 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. This colossal adventure features preschoolers’ favorite loveable, huggable T-rex, Barney, on a trip to Spain, Kenya and China where he meets new friends and learns about various cultures.

Trusted by moms and adored by children, Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning on television, online and through live events, home entertainment, toys and publishing. The Emmy® award-winning series, Barney & Friends™ is one of the top-rated preschool shows today, airing on PBS KIDS® and Sprout®.

SYNOPSIS

Climb aboard a big balloon with Barney, Ben and Emma as they embark on a super-dee-duper world adventure! The friends visit everywhere they can imagine in this all-new movie! Together they encounter princesses and kings, musicians and magicians, puppeteers and artists across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. As the trio experiences new cultures and languages from around the world, Barney demonstrates the importance of the most universal language of all: friendship.



A&W are growing out of the typical Barney episodes but they loved this movie.  It was interesting for them to see other cultures and hear the different languages and music.  It was a big hit with them.  It was also a hit with Baby R who thinks Barney is just terrific.  Barney:  Big World Adventure is educational and fun for pre-schoolers.  I really like how Barney helps children celebrate differences.  Thumbs up, Barney!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon.


Great news readers! One lucky RBM reader will win a copy of Barney: Big World Adventure. Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

The Gruffalo....Review & Giveaway!

The kids and I just recently watched the sweetest film...The Gruffalo.  You may be familiar with the book and this is one of those rare times when the movie IS as good as the book.  Here is the scoop...
 
2011 Academy Award Nominee for Best Short Film! An animated film based on the classic children's picture book, The Gruffalo tells the magical tale of a mouse who takes a walk though the woods in search of a nut. Encountering three animals who all wish to eat him - a fox, an owl and a snake - the plucky mouse has to use his wits to survive. He announces that he is meeting a monster with terrible features, a 'Gruffalo', and the three animals are each panicked into running away. Mouse is now increasingly confident; there is nothing that can touch him..... or so he thinks. That is, until he rounds a corner and comes face-to-face with the terrible creature of his imagination: the Gruffalo himself! Beautifully animated and appropriate for children of all ages. Features the voices of Helena Bonham Carter, James Corden, John Hurt, Tom Wilkinson, Robbie Coltrane, Rob Brydon.



The story behind the movie is wonderful.  It is exciting but not too scary for all ages and all three of my children enjoyed the entire  movie.  The music and narration is very calming and it fits the story to a "T".  What is absolutely stellar about the movie is the animation.  It is absolutely, positively stunning.  The characters and scenery are lovely and you get the feeling that you could easily jump into the screen and be transported to the woods.  There is a scene with dandelions (we call them "wish flowers") that is take your breath away beautiful because it is so vivid.  My son "W" remarked..."Mama, that is beautiful".


The Gruffalo is a must have for any movie collection and is sure to be a hit with all ages.  Pick up your copy today on Amazon....


I am so pleased to tell you that my friends at NCircle Entertainment are giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of The Gruffalo!  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Chick-E Limited...Review & Giveaway!

 You all know how I am always on the hunt for ways to be comfortable AND fashionable.  I am a stay-at-home mom but when I venture out in public I still want to look nice.  I have been recently been seen out and about in a new shirt that I LOVE courtesy of a site called Chick-E Limited.  I love this company not only because they have created a fashionable piece of clothing that is cute and comfy but because of who they are.  Check this out...

Times are tough, but we want to help make it better.  Our goal, here at Chick-E, is to brighten your day.  Everywhere you look, everything is negative.  Enough is enough.  There is still a lot of good left in the world.  Good people.  Good intentions.  Good deeds.  We want our clothing to help spread the message that it’s important to be you and it’s important to be positive.  

How can you read that mission statement and NOT smile??  I love, love, love it!  I also love their slogan which is "Be Fun.  Be Fabulous.  Be You."  Yes, please!  Chick-E Limited is fun AND they make great tops for women, t-shirts for men and some great pendants.  The t-shirt they sent me is SO pretty...

This is a longer fitted t-shirt and it looks great with jeans and with yoga pants when I am faking being a sporty gal!  The color is so vibrant and even after several washings it has not faded or shown any wear.  The site also features some great tanks, relaxed t-shirts and this other one I have my eye on...

The t-shirts they have for men are patriotic and would make an excellent gift (Christmas is coming!)....

I also love the pendants featured in the Craft Klatch section.  I think this one would be great in my fall wardrobe and it is only $10!!

Chick-E Limited is a site I feel good about.  The shirt I am wearing is bright, fun and flattering and it makes me feel fabulous.  I also love the attitude of the company....they have successfully brightened my day!  Thanks Chick-e!

Deal Alert:  Receive 20% off your entire order at www.chick-e.com by entering 500fans at checkout (in celebration of Chick-E reaching 500 Facebook fans...hooray!).

Giveaway:  One lucky Reviewed By Mom reader will win their shirt of their choice from Chick-E Limited!  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...