I love the squeezable packs of applesauce (and smoothies) that are currently available for kids.  They make eating on the go convenient and healthy.  The only problem is…they are kind of expensive and the packaging can be wasteful.

Enter Squooshi.

Squooshi makes reusable pouches for this purpose.  You fill the pouch with whatever soft food you want at the bottom of the pouch (applesauce, smoothies, or even baby food for babies) and then zip it up.  Your child sips from the tube at the top.  After he/she is finished, you unzip and wash it out or you can even put it in the dishwasher.  Oh yes you can (although I have found it just as easy to quickly wash them with a little soap, rinse, and let them dry on my dish rack).

Here’s how it works (via the Squooshi website):

We have used these for the last few weeks and we love them!  We have filled them with applesauce and yogurt.  The boys love the cute animals on the pouches and I love that they are easy to clean and cheaper than buying the pre-filled pouches at the store!  I have found that the larger sizes are much easier to fill.

Would you like to try out Squooshi pouches with your family.  TWO winners will receive an 8-pack assortment (shown below), worth $35.88 each.  

To enter, just leave your e-mail address in the Rafflecopter window below (not in the comments, please).  If you can’t see the window, go here.  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (apologies to my international readers).  The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on Thursday, May 16th (EST).  A winner will be randomly selected shortly after and notified by e-mail.  By entering, you are agreeing to these official rules.

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* I was given this product at no cost in exchange for a review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

We were recently introduced to a new DVD series called Theo:  Teaching Children God’s Word.  Each DVD comes with 3-4 short episodes (about 10 minutes each).

Theo, the main character and narrator, is an older minister with lots of animals friends whom he teaches God’s word to.  Each episode begins with one of the little animals having a challenge or question.  Theo is able to give them a short example from the Bible and then give a practical application.

Our boys have really enjoyed these DVDs and I love that they are learning about God’s word (while I can get something else done around the house for a few minutes).  The high-quality animation and adorable characters keep the boy’s attention while instilling positive principles into their formidable minds.  In short, these short lessons are Bible theology for little ones!

Check out the Theo: Volume 4 trailer here.  (I originally embedded the video into this post, but it automatically played whenever you visited my homepage, which I didn’t think you would appreciate.)  :)

Here is a little more information, from the Theo website:

 

“Theo Presents is centered around the adventures and teachings of the main character, Theo, a student of Godʼs Word. Theo lives in a cozy corner of a quaint English village, in the heart of the Cotswolds, and entertains many guests, including two mice, Belfry and Luther.

The animation series of Theo guides children and adults through a careful study of systematic theology. Theo discusses doctrines about sin, Godʼs character, the Bible, salvation and godly living with easy-to-understand illustrations that make children want to learn more about the Christian faith.

Theo Presents recognizes a universal fact: children and adults alike love cartoons. Theo captures the attention of young minds with liberal amounts of humor and high quality animation to present the Gospel of the Christian faith through the teachings of Theo and with the use of his two object lessons, Belfry and Luther.

Theo Presents is designed to serve as a multi-media resource tool that will help men, women and children fulfill the Great Commission of Christ, to go into all the world and make disciples and to teach those disciples Godʼs Word. The multi-media outlets include a DVD series, curriculum, books and audio CD series. Each of these facets are designed to work with one another or individually.

Theo was created to reach kids of all ages. The lessons and teachings of Theo can be used for Sunday school lessons, Christian school curriculum, missions, evangelism and homeschooling. The overall purpose of Theo Presents is to provide as many tools as possible to help present the Gospel to many kids and audiences around the world.”

These would also be great to use in a Bible Class since they are very short!

How would you like a chance to win Volumes 1 and 4 of Theo?  Enter by leaving your e-mail address in the Rafflecopter Giveaway window below (not as a comment, please).  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (apologies to my international readers).  The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on Thursday, March 14 (EST).  A winner will be randomly selected shortly after and notified by e-mail.  By entering, you are agreeing to these official rules.

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Bonus: Get $5 off a $25 purchase using the code “5off25″!  Go here to order.  

What’s in the Bible?  just released their newest volume, Volume 10:  Jesus is the Good News, which begins the New Testament on their journey throughout the Bible!

We were so excited to receive this DVD…What’s in the Bible? has quickly become one of our family favorites!  Big Brother absolutely loves them and requests to watch them nearly daily!  Even though Little Brother doesn’t understand some of the “information” (he is 3), they still keep him entertained.  And even my husband and I always learn something new from watching each of these DVDs (like the fact that the word “testament” actually means “promise”).

As parents who are raising our children in a world full of technology and entertainment, it is wonderful to find a resource for our children that teaches them about the Bible while also making it fun and engaging!  I am so thankful to Phil Vischer and then entire What’s in the Bible? team for giving us such an amazing tool!

Oh, and if you’re looking for a great gift idea for Easter Baskets…this is it!

Check out this trailer for more details on Volume 10, Jesus is the Good News:

What’s in the Bible? is offering their coloring pages for free.  Access them by clicking on the image below:

How would you like to receive a copy of What’s in the Bible? Volume 10 along with a copy of Volume 1?  Enter by leaving your e-mail address in the Rafflecopter Giveaway window below (not as a comment, please).  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (apologies to my international readers).  The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on Thursday, March 7 (EST).  A winner will be randomly selected shortly after and notified by e-mail.  By entering, you are agreeing to these official rules.

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  Finally, if you are interested in purchasing the entire series (Volumes 1-10), you can receive 20% off the entire bundle by using the coupon code “BUNDLE10″ at checkout.  This will make the total $103.99 for all of the videos with free shipping!  

Crayola recently sent us some goodies to create the Ultimate Easter Basket!  Although we typically don’t go overboard on Easter baskets, I try to find some fun things to put in their baskets that  promote creativity and don’t involve a sugar high!  Here is what our Ultimate Easter Basket looks like, thanks to Crayola!

The contents of our Ultimate Easter Basket include:

• Crayola Outdoor Colored Bubbles Big Wand
  • Using the Big Wand, Kids can create massive bubbles in bright colors like “purple pizzazz” and “fuchsia,” to chase, catch and pop
  • The angled wand design maximizes the use of the bubble solution so kids can enjoy hours of bubble-blowing fun.
  • Colored bubbles leave temporary colorful marks on skin, clothing and intended outdoor surfaces and are designed to clean up. Color rubs off skin, can be laundered from clothing and will spray away from intended outdoor surfaces.
• Crayola Color Wonder
  • Crayola Color Wonder markers only appear on the special Color Wonder paper, so kids can have mess-free fun whenever, wherever and moms don’t have to worry about color showing up where it shouldn’t.
  • Whether kids are creating on giant puzzle pieces, murals, activity pages or a painting surface, they are sure to have magical, mess free creative fun!
• Crayola Chalk
  • Crayola sidewalk chalk creates big outdoor art with the ONLY sidewalk chalk in bright, bold Crayola crayon colors!
  • The Anti-Roll shape keeps sticks handy without rolling away and produces fine lines or broad strokes that simply wash away with water.
• Crayola Crayons
  • Crayola Crayons include the colors generations have grown up with.
  • Crayola Crayons are designed with a focus on true color, smoothness, and durability.

• Additional Items purchased from Michael’s
  • A non-traditional basket, which can be used for storage after Easter has come and gone.
  • Felt stickers to embellish the basket
  • Basket Grass
  • An Easter Bunny Pez Dispenser
  • Silly Easter Bunny Glasses

Here’s the great news…YOU can create your own Ultimate Easter Basket with the following:

• Crayola Crayons
  
• Crayola Color Wonder
• Crayola Chalk
• Crayola Giant Bubbles
• A $25 Michael’s Gift Card

Just enter the giveaway by leaving your e-mail address in the Rafflecopter window below, not in the comments.  (If you can’t see the Rafflecopter window, go here.)  

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This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (apologies to my international readers).  The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 3 (CST).  A winner will be randomly selected shortly after and notified by e-mail.  By entering, you are agreeing to these official rules.

In addition to the Crayola website, you can also connect with Crayola on Facebook and Twitter!  

Disclosure:  The Crayola product, gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by Crayola.

Have you seen these wheelyBUGs from Prince Lionheart?  Not only are they utterly adorable, they make for lots of great indoor fun this winter with toddlers and young preschoolers!

We received the tiger version and Little Brother is loving it!

This little wheelyBUG has been perfect for our main floor (which is all smooth, hard flooring).  Little Brother can ride his tiger all around the loop that goes around the stairs, through the kitchen, entry way, and living room.  :)

One thing I really love about the wheelyBUG is that there are two sizes available:  one that is perfect for children 1.5 and up and the larger size that is great for 3 years and up!

I also love the soft covering on the outside.  It is resistant to spills and accidents!  Prince Lionheart designed this product to not only be used at home, but also to hold up to the demands and daily use of child care centers as well.

Here is more information, from the Prince Lionheart website:

• Totally new concept to encourage gross motor skills while having heaps of fun.
• Bright, soft, unisex design… an instant attraction to little girls and boys alike.
• Tough PU covering, resistant to the inevitable “little accidents”, easy to clean.
• Padded with a 1” layer of soft sponge.
• Entirely non-toxic and contains no PVC.
• Weighs only Small: 4lb, Large: 5lb
• Constructed with only the highest quality components.
• Design Patented and Trademark Registered.
• Multidirectional castors, no more getting stuck against obstacles.
• Children love the easy, unlimited mobility.
• Researched and developed in child care centres (designed for “industrial” kid use.)
• Certified tested to ASTM 963, CE EN71, JP ST05, AS/NZ ISO 8124.
• Intended for use on smooth floors, ideal for indoors, runs quietly.
• Recommended rider weight 50lb.
• Stainless steel spring mounted “feelers”, which wobble much to the delight of children, have an internal cord to prevent pull out.
• Plywood base made from renewable plantation timber.

And take a look at all these wheelyBUG versions available!  Aren’t they adorable?!?!  Which one is your favorite?

 How would you like to win your very own wheelyBUG (your choice of size and style).  Just enter your e-mail address into the Rafflecopter giveaway window below!  

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (apologies to my international readers).  The giveaway will end on Saturday, January 19 at 12 am (CST).  A winner will be randomly selected shortly after and notified by e-mail.  By entering, you are agreeing to these official rules. 

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