Green Toys My First Blocks Review and Giveaway Holiday Gift Guide

Blocks have been something I have wanted for my son for a while now. With him he sticks every in his mouth and throws things with the force of a quarter back. I wanted BPA free and light weight blocks he could enjoy. He has been stacking and sorting a lot and I knew it was time to find him the right blocks.

Green Toys makes products that are BPA free, No Phylates, or external coatings on the blocks making them safe for my little guy. He takes a bite out of everything! Their products are made in USA and of recycled plastic milk containers. How cool is that!


My son was sent the Green Toys My First Block Set. The blocks are big, colorful and light enough that I wont get a knot on my head when my son decides its a good time to practice throwing it like a football. But they are weighted enough that he can build stuff and have his stuffed animals sit on top of his creations.

As soon as my son opened up the box he knew exactly what to do. We started building towers that we sat his stuffed animals, action figures and even tried to fit a pillow pet on top of. He had so much fun building with them and not so much knocking them over. I thought he would blast then down but he liked his creations and if they fell over he has me fix it for him. So cute to watch him play with them and his other toys together.

We also have a dump truck made by Green Toys that I really like. Its rugged and works great! We plan on adding more Green Toys to our toy box as time goes by. I see the Green Toys all the time at our local Whole Foods and would love to get my son the Tug Boat.

GIVEAWAY

Win a set of My First Blocks by Green Toys.

To Enter This Giveaway:



What other product made by Green Toys do you like?

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Green Toys on Facebook +1
-Follow Green Toys on Twitter +1

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1
Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win Green Toys Block Set from @greentoysinc at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 12/10
http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/2011/12/green-toys-my-first-blocks-review-and.html

*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts December 1, 2011 and ends on December 10 , 2011 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Label Shopper Clothing Review and $25 Giveaway Holiday Gift Guide

I don't buy a lot of clothes for myself, but when I do, I look for things that are well made and long lasting. These items might cost a little more, but I think investing in quality is extremely smart and frugal in the long run. I do have some favorite designer labels, but those labels usually come at a high price. So I was happy when I came across an online clothing site that offers designer labels at a fraction of their original prices. Label Shopper.com is a great place to take advantage of brand new, designer name cancellations or over-runs by manufactures. Often, the merchandise offered for sale here is simply the result of stores having to make room for newer items.



Label Shopper is a great place to shop if you love getting great deals. The blouse I am wearing here is a black knit ruffle pattern front with 3/4 inch sleeves. It's a designer label that has been deeply discounted. It is dressy enough for a night on the town, or can be casual enough to be paired with jeans. The fit is great and I love the feel of the material and ruffled front.




The pants are khaki denim, straight leg, and are a very well known designer brand. These jeans come with built-in slimming panels that will help shape your curves, and flatten your tummy with ease. These jeans are absolutely comfortable, and the khaki color will easily go with everything in your wardrobe. I will be shopping at Label Shopper again soon. I just love getting great bargains on all my favorite designers.




Use the Code frugalfamily25 to save 25% off an order of $15 or more. One time use per customer.


GIVEAWAY

Win a $25 Gift Certificate to LabelShopper.com

To Enter This Giveaway:

What is your favorite item at LabelShopper.com

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Label Shopper on Facebook +1
-Follow Label Shopper on Twitter +1

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1
Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win a $25 Gift Certificate to@LabelShopper at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 12/10 http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/2011/12/label-shopper-clothing-review-and-25.html


*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts December 1, 2011 and ends on December 10 , 2011 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Frugal Family Tree Holiday Gift Guide Starts Today

Happy Holidays from Frugal Family Tree!! Today starts Day 1 of our Holiday Gift guide. December 1st feels like the official start to the Holiday Season but we do buy our tree shortly after Thanksgiving. We want to enjoy the spirit of the Holidays as long as we can. This is the time of year where all the coupon clipping, deal finding, rebates filled out and sales we have taken advantage of really pay off. We like to save all year to splurge a bit on ourselves, our families and friends.

This year we want to share with you our great holiday gift finds for all ages. We have a huge family tree so we need to find great gifts for everyone. From newborns to grand parents for Moms, Dads, Spouses, Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters, In Laws, Cousins and of course Friends. We want to share the gift giving with everyone by hosting some great giveaways as well!

We have awesome companies working with us to provide great gift ideas for your Holiday Lists and have offered giveaways of the items to win here at Frugal Family Tree. You can read the list of participating companies here.

Happy Holidays to everyone! We would love to hear some of your holiday traditions. Having new ones to add to the season can make it even more fun. We have all the kids wear matching pajamas on Christmas day. That way they feel connected even though they live states away.

DreamWorks Dragons Gift of the Night Fury and Book of Dragons DVD Family Movie Night Review

I am a big fan of the original How To Train Your Dragon movie. It was a really great story with good characters and design. Now only if it was as easy to train my little one right?! lol When I heard that Dream Works was making another movie with the same characters and more dragons I was excited to watch it. I have always loved the time period the movies take place with Vikings and my son loves anything with cool stuff like Dragons and Hats! He yelled "Hat" and point to his own at least 15 times during this short movie.

I liked the Holiday storyline in Night Fury with Hiccup and his friends celebrating Snoggletog, their winter holiday. For a short movie is was delightful to see the great characters again. The Book of Dragons was a short about all the different types of dragons that live in Hiccup's town. They all have different personalities. These two short films are perfect to excite any Dragon fan for the upcoming 2014 full length film!


My son and I had a blast watching this movie. We wore Viking hats, read the DreamWorks book and made Viking S'mores, minus the dragon breathe to roast the marshmallow of course. I am sure they would have tasted much better that way!

Movie Summary:
DREAMWORKS DRAGONS Double DVD + Online Video Game Pack includes the follow-up “Gift of the Night Fury,” in which the epic story of Hiccup and Toothless picks up where it left off and they take flight in a thrilling, all-new adventure to discover an island of never-before-seen dragons; the all-new “Book of Dragons” that reveals seven never-before-seen dragons as Hiccup, Astrid and Gobber share insider training secrets and new dragon mythology; AND a game card that grants exclusive access to the ultimate interactive Dragons challenge: a brand new Dragons Online Video Game in which players use the new training secrets they’ve learned to earn badges as they fight and train new dragons to become the ultimate dragon trainer.

The DREAMWORKS DRAGONS Double DVD + Online Video Game Pack includes the following:
Disc 1:
•    DreamWorks Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury
•    Gobber’s Training Secrets
•    Deleted Scenes
•    Spot the Difference
•    Learn How to Draw a Baby Gronckle
•    How to Host a Snoggletog Party (DVD-ROM)
•    Previews
•    World of DreamWorks Animation
Disc 2:
•    DreamWorks: Book of Dragons
•    Dragon Lair (DVD-ROM)
o    Your Book of Dragons
o    3-D Land of the Dragons
Plus:
•    Dragons Online Video Game—The ultimate interactive Dragons challenge!  Once you’ve learned all the insider training secrets in the Book of Dragons, you’re ready to use your exclusive game card to gain access to this all-new, high-quality video game:
o    Create your own Viking avatar
o    Learn to train Dragons
o    Fight epic dragon battles
•    14 battle arenas
•    8 Dragon lairs
•    4 legend games
o    Challenge the Dragons you loved in the film
o    Discover and battle seven never-before-seen Dragons
o    Earn training and battle badges


This DVD pack is now available to purchase and would make a great Holiday gift for any Hiccup and Toothless fan! You can find it at Walmart, Target and online at Amazon.



*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free a copy of the movie, the book, hats and smores kit for my review by the PR Company/Brand that represents them.

Bandai America Incorporated Review Birthday Bash

I have mentioned here before that JJ is a lover of all things Super Hero and Action Hero's from Cartoons. As a Mom of two boys I am learning more and more about things like Ben 10, Power Rangers and Thunder Cats. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to keeping up with! In order to know what and who is "hot" in the toy department you can check out Bandai America Incorporated . They have all of the latest and greatest in all things cool, just check out their product line. The neat things about Bandai is if you like an item you click on it and they will tell you the retailers who sell it are. Easy I tell you. Bandai and Saban Toys have teamed up to introduce the newest line of Power Rangers toys, "Power Rangers Samuria" TV series. The line includes action figures, vehicles, role-play items and Megazords that are unique to this brand.






I can remember Power Rangers when I was a kid. Mind you my little brother was the true fan, but I did see my fair share of episodes. It seems they are still around and the show and products are still in full force! JJ is just starting to get into them and it is making his Uncle proud, he is learning their names and starting to follow the story lines. When JJ opened the mask and sword set he was so excited! The fact that he too could look like his favorite Power Rangers was awesome!!




Along with the mask set we also got a few Power Rangers Action Figures. Go Go Power Rangers!






As far as a favorite action packed show around here, Ben 10 is a big one. I hear about all of his alien forms and JJ even knows the names of all of them. He was so excited to receive the Ultimate Ultimatrix for his birthday this year! It is a wrist band just like Ben uses to change into his many forms, it lights up and makes some pretty cool noises. What a hit! Bandia and Ben 10 toys marked their sixth year in retail this year. The fan base just keeps growing and growing!



Again to go along with the Ben 10 theme he also received a few action figures! We love action figures around here, the boys just love to make anything fight.


Check out Bandia America Incorporated today, after all don't you want to be in the know when everyone is talking about the Ultramatrix (wink wink).

You can become a fan of Bandai America on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about their cool toys!



* I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was sent a the toy mentioned in this post for my review by the Company/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Belly Washers and Tummy Ticklers Juice Drinks Review and Giveaway Birthday Bash

My son loves to drink juice, smoothies and milk. I like that I can get him to get some vitamins and hydration in him without a fuss. For his birthday party I wanted to get him something fun to drink that would be special. When I was in Walmart looking for honey I spotted these cute juice bottles with characters on them. They are called Belly Washers, Tummy Ticklers and Tummy Tickler Tots. The tots version is juice mixed with water. We thought these were really cute for a special occasion like a birthday and kids do like them. Since these were for my son I gave him the Clifford the Big Red dog one on his birthday and the other two I let him drink before his party. He liked the juice in them and now plays with the tops. He makes me be Ariel or Strawberry Shortcake when we play action figures. They are a little expensive for an individual one but the multi packs are a better deal. I think these are fun as a party item.

These juices are:

-100% real fruit juice – no added sugar, colors, flavors or preservatives

-Topped with no-mess, push-pull sports cap and licensed characters grade school kids love

-One whole serving of fruit!

GIVEAWAY

Win a Sample Pack like the one I reviewed

To Enter This Giveaway:

 What Juice flavor is your kids favorite? (My son loves Apple Juice the most)

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Belly Washers on Facebook +1
-Like Tummy Ticklers on Facebook +1

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1
Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win Belly Washers and Tummy Ticklers Juice Drinks at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 12/8 http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +2 (right hand side)

*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts November 30, 2011 and ends on December 8 , 2011 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Fisher Price GeoTrax DC Super Friends Batcave Review Birthday Bash

Do you have a go to brand for gifts? I have a few and Fisher Price is one of them! I know when I shop Fisher Price I am getting quality and durability. They carry so many Products and Brands you can always find something for your little one.


Like most 5 year old boys JJ is really into Superhero anything. He loves BATMAN!!! With that in mind the Fisher Price GeoTrax DC Super Friends The Batcave RC Set was a perfect Birthday gift! JJ loved the Batman Cave and the tracks that he and his dad built. It is simple to put together and take apart, the pieces are not too small so I don't have to worry about Baby L putting them in his mouth. The fact that the GeoTrax has a remote control was just awesome to JJ, there is something about a remote control that kids just love. JJ has been hiding out in his room (so his little brother can't bother him) playing with his new Fisher Price toy playing for long stretches of time. The GeoTrax has really made him a happy boy! I recommend this toy to anyone that has a child that loves all things Superheros and/or Trains. This is a great toy and will have many hours of use around our house, this I know.

From Fisher Prices Web Site-

To the Batcave! That’s where Batman is heading in his Turbo RC Batmobile! Once he sees the Bat-Signal in the sky, he’s out on the road again, chasing down The Riddler to save the day! Grab your Batmobile RC, other RCs, play sets and track packs, and you can create your own world, home to Batman, The Joker and other DC SUPER FRIENDS—it all works together!

We are loving our new Fisher Price Toy!!

Fisher Price has so many great toys to choose from this holiday season. Check them out for yourself, I know you will find something your child cannot live without!


If you would like more info on the latest great toys and discount codes you can Like Fisher-Price on Facebook



* I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was sent a the toy mentioned in this post for my review by the Company/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Power Capes Personalized Side Kick Cape Review and Giveaway Birthday Bash

It seems all little boys I know adore super heroes. Its so cute they want to be super powered and save the world, or at least the world they create in imaginary land! My son has started to like superman, batman and other cape wearing super heroes. He says Whoosh and kicks all around as if he is battling bad guys. Over the summer my sister got a personalized superhero cape for JJ and it was so cute! At the time my son was too little for one but this birthday I thought it would be perfect for him.

Finding the right kids capes for me is about the brand. I have seen a few companies that make these types of superhero capes but I wanted one that had a quality that would last my rough and tough toddler. We decided to have a Side Kick size cape made by Power Capes for my son's birthday. They have many colors for the cape, emblem and letter to select from. You can customize it to fit your super kids personality.

When the cape arrived I was impressed with the vibrant colors and details. It was very light weight and had a Velcro neck closure that would come apart easily if it was caught on something but enough to stay on while my son was having fun wearing it. He wore it the rest of his birthday party after he opened it. I had to take it off him when he rode his new ride on car toy and he was upset about that! I put it back on him after he was done since he would not let me do anything until I did. I know he will be wearing his cape many places and will soak up all the attention that come with it. He adores people making a fuss over his cool stuff.

I think the Power Capes Superhero Capes are perfect for boys and girls as a great gift. They are super cool and cute. They even make adult size ones! I can so see my husband needing one to match our son so my super boys can save the day!

My sweet Super Hero! Saving the world with a Giraffe in his arms lol

He wanted to wear the cape while he rode his new car. He was mad when I took it off of him.

If you are planning to shop for a Power Capes you can use the code FRUGAL10TREE to get an additional 10% off - EVEN ON SALE PRICES!! They even take paypal!

GIVEAWAY

Win a Personalized Side Kick (kid size 22" age 2-7) Power Cape.

To Enter This Giveaway:

 What Color Cape would you get for your Superhero?

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Power Capes on Facebook +1
-Tell Power Capes on Facebook Wall that Frugal Family Tree sent you +1
-Follow Power Capes on Twitter +1
-Sign Up for the Power Capes Newsletter +1

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1
Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win Personalized @PowerCapes at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 12/8 http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/2011/11/power-capes-personalized-side-kick-cape.html

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +2 (right hand side)

*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts November 29, 2011 and ends on December 8 , 2011 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Wham-O Snow Boogie Air Disc Review and Giveaway Birthday Bash

Have you heard of Wham-O ?It is a site that has all kinds of cool items and brands that you may know and love like Sprig Toys, Hula Hoop, Slip N Slide,  Snow Boogie and many more.

Living in Washington State we are not guaranteed snow every year, but it always seems to happen. In fact we had a chance of snow this weekend, it never hit our area but others around us we seeing white. I know it will come this year at sometime so we are pretty excited about our new Snow Toy! We got an Air Disc from their Snow Boogie products and it is really cool. JJ was so excited to see his new snow toy, he has been trying it out in the house but I know that he will have a blast when our first storm hits. In fact he and Baby L have been pulling each other on it around the house, JJ has been throwing it ahead of himself and jumping on it while it is still moving and they have even tried it out in the rain! I know that the Air Disc will send us flying down may hills, it has a slick bottom and a handle on each side. We cannot wait for the snow now!!

GIVEAWAY

Win a Snow Boogie Air Disc by Wham-O

To Enter This Giveaway:

What is your favorite Snow Activity?

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Wham-O on Facebook +1
-Follow Wham-O on Twitter +1

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1
Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win a Snow Boogie Air Disc from @WhamOTweets at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 12/8 http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/2011/11/wham-o-snow-boogie-air-disc-review-and.html

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +2 (right hand side)

*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts November 29, 2011 and ends on December 8 , 2011 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

My Baby got his First Haircut!

I have known this day was coming soon. My son has been pushing the hair out of his eyes and on Halloween got candy stuck in his hair. It was time to get a haircut! I have been dreading this day because he has the sweetest long curly hair and I am worried his curls won't come back. That somehow this means he is a big boy. He just turned two hes only just a baby still. Perhaps I am over emotional about it, maybe I am more calm than some moms, either way I knew I had to cut it for him. He hates his hair brushed and to wash it makes him so very mad! He started to pull at it when it annoyed him. There is always the people who say oh dont cut it the curls will never come back to the people who say your little girl is so cute! LOL But in reality it is up to me and my husband on what type of hair do he will have until he can tell me himself what he likes.

His long curly hair!

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we took him to our local mall to go to my favorite place to get my haircut. I had an awesome coupon to use too! It just arrived in the mail a few days before this and I already cut my hair so it must have been meant for him right?! When we left the house around 6 pm it was oddly very very foggy like creepy foggy. When we arrived at the mall I took his picture a bunch of times and almost thought no dont do it. But I did not want to be that kind of mom that gets all crazy about sentimental things. Its hair it will grow back!

As we were getting his haircut he was calm like wow calm. He is a wild monkey most of the time. He watched himself in the mirror as the woman cut his hair. He had his BFF stuffed giraffe in his arms and there was a giraffe on the cover he was wearing too. He liked that. We wanted a trim at first then it got shorter each time she asked is that short enough. We decided to go ahead and cut it short like in his baby pictures so we could see his sweet face and big blue eyes. The cutest thing was when he would take out his binkie look in the mirror smile at himself and then put it back. Toward the end he did get a bit restless and his bangs and side burns need to be straightened but for the most part the haircut is great. After his haircut we changed his outfit and let him go play at the mall play yard. He had a blast running around a squealing with the other kids. This time he did not have to push his bangs out of the way as he was running he seemed very happy about his new hairdo. For a moment I almost cried that he did not have those bouncing curls flowing in the air as he whooshed down the slide but than I told myself hes happy so I am happy.

His new Big Boy Hair cut