Naturally Nora Cake Mixes GIVEAWAY CONTEST

WIN a 3-Box Gift Pack of Naturally Nora Cake Mixes

Entering this MommyBlogExpert Giveaway is E-A-S-Y
Now till July 21, 2010

To be eligible to win a 3-Box Naturally Nora Cake Mix Gift Pack, a brand which was recently reviewed on MommyBlogExpert, just complete the 2 simple required steps below.  

For Required (MAIN) Entry

1. Follow @MommyBlogExpert on Twitter 

AND

2. Leave a comment below mentioning why it's important for your family to eat products made with natural ingredients

For EXTRA (optional) Entries to Win

Do one or both of these steps below to earn extra chances to win. 

• Subscribe to the MommyBlogExpert Blog
• Fan @MommyBlogExpert on Facebook

You can ALSO earn additional entry each and every time you retweet the message EXACTLY below (cut and paste to avoid errors) about this contest as long as you post a comment with the link to your Tweet within an hour of posting to Twitter

Naturally Nora Cake Mix 3-Pack GIVEAWAY Made w/ Natural Ingredients #contest #kids  http://tinyurl.com/2d2gvc8 RT to WIN
 

Additional Contest Rules:  Only U.S. legal residents eligible to win.  One Naturally Nora Cake Mix 3-box prize package to be awarded, valued at approx $15.  Limit of one main contest entry per day.  Contest runs now through July 21, 2010 at 12 a.m. PST.  Winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email.

After entering to win this contest by leaving a comment below, be sure to check out the other MommyBlogExpert giveaways currently offered here

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received samples of the Naturally Nora products pictured in this post for review.  For this MommyBlogExpert giveaway contest Naturally Nora is providing a 3-pack of their cake mixes for the prize.  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post or giveaway contest.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.   

Ty The T-Rex Dinosaur Incredibed

Review

I have to say that as a mom of four (triplets, plus one more born within a year) and as a mommy blogger who is constantly pitched by brands with some pretty cool ideas, I've never seen anything quite like this.  Based on my initial reaction, I'm betting that kids will actually look forward to bedtime with this fairy tale friendly dinosaur-themed kid's bed pictured here from Incredibeds of Orlando, Florida.

T-Rex Incredibed Giveaway - Details Below

According to the maker, this bed is suitable for children ages 3 and up, but that parents may add the matching bumper transition sheets  (available separately for an additional $29) to this, making it an ideal transitional bed for toddlers as young as 18 months old who are ready to move out of their cribs.

The animal-shaped bed, made from hypoallergenic materials, is 100% machine wash and dry. It's also simple to set up, zipping around the outside of a standard 39" x 75" American or 36" x 80" European twin mattress and box spring that you provide.  Most importantly, "It is consumer-tested and safety-approved," says dad Jeremy Maloney, who first made one of these stuffed animal-like bed creations for his own child.

The Incredibeds Ty, the Tyrannosaurus plush bed frame retails for $339 and includes his signature eyes and black hair piece,4 furniture glides (which adhere to the bottom of your mattress's box spring), 2 round pillows with one rectangle pillow, and pockets in the hands to give themselves a hug or to "knock the scary's out of the room."  The exterior fabric is 100% polyester, while the interior lining is 100% cotton with 100% hypoallergenic polyester fill.  The included zipper sheet is 100% woven cotton.  Optional matching sheets, called Bedjammies, available separately.

Surprisingly, this child's bedroom furniture concept is quite functional, yet also is designed for fun, comfort and safety.  A total of six different Incredibed cozy, cuddly plush bed frame characters are now available in stores and online including Ty, the Tyrannosaurus Rex Dinosaur for boys that is the focus of this MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com review, plus two other models for little guys: Duke the Dog and Bo the Grizzly Bear.  Girls can choose from Penelope the Girl Grizzly Bear, Daisy the Female Floppy-Earred Dog, and Rexy the Girl T-Rex.  As you might imagine, each of these comes with its own animal personality and story, too.

The Incredibeds are available at retailers such as Toys R' Us, Babies R' Us, Amazon.com, MorFurniture For Less, Rooms to Go, and others.  For more details, current availability, and store locations visit The Incredibeds or 800-991-2372.

Giveaway Details

WIN a Ty the T-Rex Incredibed (a $339 value) PLUS a matching set of Bedjammies Sheets (a $64.99 value) as pictured in this MommyBlogExpert review.  See giveaway rules & entry information below this blogpost. 

Entering this MommyBlogExpert Giveaway is E-A-S-Y

To be eligible to win the Incredibeds Ty the T-Rex ($339 value) PLUS a matching set of Bedjammies sheets ($64.99 value) as featured in this MommyBlogExpert review,  simply complete the 3 steps below for the MAIN Entry .  

For Required (MAIN) Entry:

1. Follow @MommyBlogExpert on Twitter 

AND
2. Follow @Incredibeds on Facebook
AND

3. Then leave a comment below this blogpost telling what you like most about Incredibeds being sure to include your contact info Twitter or Facebook handle so we can DM you if you are the winner.

For EXTRA (optional) Entries to Win

Do one, two, or three of the following to earn extra chances to win being sure to leave another comment below for each extra entry step you've completed

1.  Get an extra entry every time you RT the following contest info exactly and then post a comment with the link to the actual Tweet within one hour of Tweeting.  To reiterate: there is no limit to the number of entries you may do of this type as long as you make certain to leave an additional comment including link to each RT you do.

2.  Fan @MommyBlogExpert on Facebook

Additional Contest Rules:  Only U.S. legal residents are eligible to win.  Prize Package:  One Ty the Tyrannosaurus Incredibed & matching Bedjammies Sheet Set, totaling $373+ in merchandise, to be awarded.  Limit of one main contest entry (required) with optional extra entries limited as described above.  Contest ends July 21, 2010 at 12 a.m. PST.  Winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email.

FTC Disclosure:  Incredibeds is providing the giveaway prizes offered.  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any product, payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.   

Twins Talent CASTING NOW for Twins/Triplets Kids in New York, L.A. for TV & Film Projects

by Janis Brett Elspas

MommyBlogExpert.blogspot.com

As a triplet mom myself who's kids all worked in show business when they were little, I thought these children's television and feature film casting ops sounded too good not to share with my readers.

My good friends identical twins Debbie & Lisa Ganz of Twins Talent (pictured at left) just sent me a list of a bunch of REALLY HOT casting requests seeking twin and triplet children for TV, Film & Soap Opera projects in both New York and L.A.  This is one of the leading casting companies in the country not only for twins and triplets (kids as well as adults) but also for non-multiples looking for acting jobs in unscripted and reality TV.  

If you have multiples that fit the exact requirements for any of the opportunities below and are interested in getting your kids into acting, I encourage you to email Twins Talent immediately at billywonka@aol.com being sure to include all the information requested.

Twins Talent is Seeking Twins/Triplets NOW for

• Gossip Girls, NYC TV, looking for twins/triplets to play 3 month old identical twin boys -- preferably Caucasian.  Filming in New York only, so must live local.  Email a recent photo, with recent weight, inches, names and contact tel number.  Be sure to write 3 month old in subject line of email.
• Feature Film, NYC,  looking for identical Caucasian twins/triplets -- boys or girls -- must be local to nyc area 4 months old or younger. Email a recent photo, with recent weight, inches, names and contact tel number.  Be sure to write Smurfs in subject line of email.
• Soap Opera, NYC TV, looking for newborn - approx 10 pound or smaller Caucasian twins/triplets for one day shoot in NYC in June; must be local.  Email a recent photo, with recent weight, inches, names and contact tel number.
• Feature Film, Los Angeles, looking for 9-12 month old identical twin boys or twins/triplets that can pass for boys - must be local to L.A.  Email a recent photo, with recent weight, inches, names and contact tel number.

Remember, email billywonka@aol.com to submit your children for the immediate casting needs ASAP.  For more information about Twins Talent visit http://www.twinstalent.tv 

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.        

Father's Day Homemade Craft Gifts for Kids & Families to Make Together for Dad

Fathers Day

More likely than not that special Dad in your life already has way too many neck ties and bottles of cologne, right?  So this year, why not help your kids make a really unique Father's Day gift for Daddy that he'll always cherish instead?  To get you inspired, here are my favorite easy-to-make arts and crafts for Dads, culled from a variety of sources, that you'll have a great time making with your kids and giving to that special man in your life.

The Funky Luggage Tags pictured above are definitely one of a kind and practical too.  See Family Fun for directions

Screen Printed Ties are an original idea that's fun to create.  Who says dear old Dad won't love one more tie if he receives this personalized one from you?  See HomeMade Simple for directions

Edible Dress Shirt and Tie Cake is almost too handsome to eat, but your special Daddy will enjoy it as much as your kids delight in making it for him.  Watch the Family Fun video below to cook this up, being sure to have your computer speaker turned on so you can watch & hear how to make this easy-to-make cake.  Also, visit Family Fun for more fun Father's Day craft project directions

What a cute dog sculpture this is! Easily made from golf balls this would be a memorable craft project that golf-playing Daddies will always cherish. To make this cutie from FamilyCrafts.About.com, see directions

Have a Fathers Day kid craft to share of your own? Please leave a comment below telling us about it, with a link to the project's directions if possible.  Happy Father's Day To All!

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

15 Cheap Summer Activities to Do With Kids

by Janis Brett Elspas

Outside or Indoors, this list of free and inexpensive, easy-to-do activities will keep your kids busy all summer long, till school starts again in the fall.  Pictured at left is Mini Mommy Blogexpert, my daughter (now a teen) who started backyard gardening when she was just three years old.

Outdoor Activities
1. Have a backyard sailboat race.  Just fill a plastic kiddy pool, make homemade boats, and see which one is the fastest.
2. Have a nature scavenger hunt. Give kids a list of things found in nature and have them look in the yard for those items.
3. Have a seed-spitting contest. Who doesn’t love to eat a nice, cold watermelon and see how far you can spit the seeds?
4. Catch fireflies.  If you’re lucky enough to live in an area that has fireflies, make a firefly-catching jar by poking holes in the top of a pickle or mayonnaise jar. Just make sure you let them go.
5. Let your kids start a collection.  Just make sure it involves something cheap, like rocks they find. Or even better, use the digital camera to “collect” items they see but don’t want to hurt, like flowers.

Indoor Boredom Busters
6. Make paper airplanes.  Download templates from the Internet, use them as a starting point, and see just how far yours can fly.
7. Have a sleepover party.  Who needs overnight camp when you can have “sleepover camp” for your kids’ friends?
8. Play indoor volleyball.  Make sure it’s okay with Mom, and then use a beach ball to play, with the couch as the “net.”
9. Build a fort out of cardboard boxes.  Cardboard boxes are the best toys!  Decorate your fort with markers and glue, letting your imagination run wild.
10.Turn your kitchen into a restaurant.  Make the menus and let the kids be “waiters,” then they can take turns being the waiter and the customer.

What is your child's favorite summer fun activity. Please leave a comment below this post and share their ideas with other families.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.