Play is work.

Saturday was the Worldwide Day of PLAY!

Love.

Play is the work of childhood.

Say it again.

and again.

and again.

Please us join the GoGo Gang on Facebook simply by uploading a photo of your playtime. When the GoGo Gang is 100,000 members strong, GoGo squeeZ will team up with Action for Healthy Kids to renovate a play space in an under-served community.

Want to share your story? Post your photo on your blog and tell us what got you moving.
Then share your post by adding your link to the #GoGoDayOfPlay challenge at Story Bleed Magazine.
We love play. It is the glue of family. xo

*GoGo squeeZ kindly compensated me for this post.
I’m thrilled to find out they not only make an awesome product
but have awesome hearts. 

ARM & HAMMER® Spin brush® My Way! ™ GIVEAWAY. Love those clean chompers!

update ******** winner ********* "The Sunshyn" thanks all xo

Art reigns supreme in this house. We do a ton of crafts and art type lessons each month. My kids love it all but one of the favorite activities involves glue or stickers lately and when I was offered to review the new ARM & HAMMER® Spin brush® My Way! ™ for Boys and the Orajel ® Kids My Way™ Toothpaste I knew they would love it because the toothbrush and paste comes with great decal stickers for the child to personalize their toothbrush and toothpaste tube. The great thing is there was a ton of sticker decals and they had fun using the decals later in other projects. I asked them to make the toothbrush look like they designed it. I guessed who made each brush and they were busy being little artists with the stickers.

We talked about oral health while we did this project together. It was a great 10-15 minute time frame to teach and have fun. The boys loved having their own toothpaste that was personalized and fun. I have to disclose that they did not love the taste of the toothpaste as much as their usual brand but they are still using it.

I would give these kits to my kids when it was time for a new toothpaste or brush because it got them jazzed about brushing their teeth. I think any type of excitement around oral health is ace for kids in the 4- 11-age bracket. I think they would make great additions to Easter baskets and holiday stockings. They are simple kits that are both fun and healthy.

For a chance to win 100.00-gift card from BlogHer and ARM & HAMMER please see rules:
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
This giveaway is open May 12th - June 9th.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
Visit the Official Rules

Visit the Official Spinbrush® MY WAY! ® site


Visit the Official Orajel® MY WAY!™ site

Visit the Exclusive Offers section

Euro Tote Review {5 products for three years in 1 system}

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER Hillary!!!!!!!!!

OK. So I am a desperate mother. 
I have a colicky baby and any carrier or wrap on the market I am game to try out for wee Scout!
Enter the Lilliebaby Euro Tote

The thing is like getting Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket. 
This carrier is quite amazing. 
The EuroTote isn't just a bag... it has five functions in one product:


Cradle Carrier- (up to 25 lb)
Bunting Bag- adjusts to baby's size
Stroller Bag- ideal for jogging or strolling
Play Blanket - a clean place to play, anywhere
Travel Bedding - a nest of familiarity and security


OK. The magic ticket for me is the cradle carrier function of the tote. 
Scout nestles in and loves the warm little nest it makes him. I think it has been the only product that has made the colic go away for us here in the mad house. We nestle him into it and the straps buckle around him and he settles down almost immediately. The tote has been a lifesaver for me. It is a nice quality product and the versatility is really ingenious. If I could only have three baby gear items it would be in the mix for this baby of mine. We use it every day and will recommend it to friends. My husband raves about this product too! He LOVES the carrier function and how simple it is to carry Scout upstairs and downstairs without waking the wee one. We love the Euro Tote!

But guess what? You can win one here! today!
Just leave a comment to win! 

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media,  
but the thoughts and opinions I express are my own!

{Holiday Gift Guide Day FIVE- MAMA K's Aromatic Play Clay}

Ok this company ROCKS!

 
1.THE BEST STOCKING STUFFER EVER
2. It's What to Give this HOLIDAY
3. The Complete PLAY CLAY SET

A little about Mama K:

Mama K's Play Clay is a kid-safe clay with subtle aromatherapy oils to soothe the mind. Ingredients are basic and natural: they include certified gluten free flour, extra virgin olive oil, vegetable colorants and pure essential oils. Available in seven scents, including soothing lavender, relaxing chamomile and tension-easing bergamot.
The ingredients are 100% natural and Mama K’s Play Clay is suitable for kids with Celiac and Autism Spectrum disorders.

Check out her AWESOME Blog HERE

Check out the FACEBOOK page HERE


You cannot go wrong with picking up some MAMA K for this Holiday season!

LEAVE A NICE MESSAGE ON MAMA K FACEBOOK WALL AND BE ENTERED TO WIN A LITTLE ALOUETTE TOY! XOXOOX

{Holiday Gift Guide Day FOUR Treasure Hunt}

Suzy is an amazing artist who is represented by the divine Lilla Rogers.


1. Crate and Barrel coolness

2. Crate and Barrel coolness

3.Chronicle Books

4. Heliotrope

5. Zeppe sister

6. Etsy Shop


FOLLOW the treasure HUNT STARS **********************

Leave a comment and WIN THIS:

{Holiday Gift Guide Day THREE- LISA LEONARD DESIGNS}

1. Brave LOVE necklace
2. True Love necklace
3. Custom Lisa Leonard
4. Through my Lens necklace



These are the real deal folks!
A great holiday gift idea that I really wear and love and purchase for others.
I hope you will check out this family company and check out Lisa's blog.
She is a talented lady and her blog pulls you right into her beautiful life.


Check out her SHOP
Read her gorgeous BLOG
Tweet with her

Lisa says:


Our custom, handmade jewelry is beautiful and full of meaning.
Create the perfect keepsake to wear next to year heart every day!
Our necklaces, baby spoons and leather cuffs make for a cherished gift.

Lottie Da- This one is for the GIRLS!

1.enchanted forest dress
2.autumn fox jumper
3. lil red holiday dress

OMG HOW ADORABLE!?

Lottie Da Baby Boutique is an amazing whimsical wonderland of gifting...
Check out the gorgeous clothes and toys and find something for yr little one.

WIN A HANDMADE DRESS OF YOUR CHOICE BY LEAVING A COMMENT!


(extra chances for following on twitter and saying hello to Amy the owner!)
follow the stars *******************

***dress and sizes must be available in listings***


WINNER IS MAKING IT LOVELY! twitter followers + comments:
True Random Number Generator Min: Max: 41 Result: 12

HOLIDAY 2010 {IGLOO LETTERPRESS}

1.Bicycle Pattern No -SEW refillable journals


2. Primary Colors ABC poster


3. VOWELS AND CONSONANTS Holiday card


4. Suzy Ultman Recipe Cards

Igloo Letterpress is a wonderland here in my little town.
Allison Chapman is a letterpress printer and book binder goddess.

In addition to being a great source for unique handcrafted work, Igloo Letterpress is also an active art studio where customers can tap into their creative ideas. Project-based classes, interactive tours and open studio time give visitors a chance to try their hand at making everything from pop-up books to wedding invitations.

www.iglooletterpress.com
info@iglooletterpress.com
@iglooletterpres

Leave a comment to win a PAIR OF GORGEOUS REFILLABLE BOOKS

{*********GO HERE for another chance to WIN!**********}

CSN STORES Stroller Review

OK. So you know we are having another baby soon! (less than six weeks!)

CSN stores contacted me for an opportunity to review a baby item and you know I said YES!
I love my old Maclaren stroller but after two boys and lots of road it is about to bite the dust.
A new stroller sounded just like an item I would love to review so I chose to upgrade to a Maclaren Triumph 2010 Stroller in Red!

I loved the way it looked and the fact that it had a lot of features that my old Volo did not.
I wanted a stroller that would work for the new baby and our three year old.

The stroller is great! I love the features like:

• Washable and soft
• For 3 months-55 lbs
• Removable, washable seat
• Lifetime sovereign warranty
• Protects from wind and rain
• Provide extra sun protection
• Attaches quickly and securely
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Baby sections includes 2 pockets
• Versatile style and ultimate comfort
• Keep baby warm on the coldest days
• Reversible liners with solid and pattern side
• 5 second one-hand fold, foot operated brakes
• Central section includes removable nappy bag
• 2 large pockets, 1 zipper pocket and card carrier
• Pocket for wipes,nappies and secure zip pocket
• Handles twists, turns, and small spaces with ease
• Stain resistant, washable bag with shoulder strap
• Insulated bottle bag, wet bag, central storage area
• Liner for comfort, safety, and ease of use
• Adjustable shoulder harness, carry strap, water resistant hood

This is such a nice stroller and I am very pleased that I now own it.

Here are some thoughts:

It is lightweight (although heavier than the umbrella version I had- the VOLO) and it handles really well over city streets and driveways and gravel.

The seat is padded and luxurious in comparison to the VOLO mesh seat. Nice!

It's super sturdy and the recline seat will be wonderful for the baby (3 months plus) but also for tired toddlers or preschoolers.

The sun shade is average and I still have my kiddos wear a hat and shades but that seems like most shades of strollers.

The harness snap is quite tricky I must admit and one of the negatives for me- but that is a good thing for my 3 year old as he cannot escape the stroller!

The shoulder strap is simple to use and the 11.5 lbs of the stroller is easy/light enough to carry and load in and out of vehicles.

My son loves it and we have been putting it to use all over our town!

Here is a comparison between my old VOLO and the new Triumph!



Thanks to CSN STORES and this is the third time I have shopped with them (via reviews and my own personal shopping) and I LOVE them!
The customer service is great and FREE shipping is a very big incentive for me!
I love me some free shipping. Don't you?

I need to just carry that Flip camera in my handbag everyday!

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and Flip Video.

Flip video cameras are the BEES KNEES.
I have one that I got last year for a job and it has been a life saver!
It's portable and simple to use. It captures AMAZING quality videos.
I still miss things though...
Life is full of moments that are (alas) right out of reach of a video camera.



Like when we sat together here and all of the sudden Blaise just started singing to me so sweetly like his brother used to do:

blackbird finn from Amy Turn Sharp on Vimeo.

Or last week when Blaise danced like Michael Flatley with leggings on and I nearly died from the laughing. I would loved to have had that for days of gloom and doom.

Or when Finn and Blaise played this adorable game involving baby dolls last week together.

Or when Finn pulls his underwear up his butt and walks around with a wedgie.

Yep, these are the days.

And there is NOTHING like sending a video to a friend via email.

I love to make small odd little slices of my life:

Easter madness from Amy Turn Sharp on Vimeo.

WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED?

Win a $200 Gift Card
Leave a comment
Twitter the link @amyturnsharp
Blog yr heart out
Let me know about a time you WISHED you had a flip camera!
WIN $200.00 so that you can buy your own Flip Video camera to insure you capture the moment next time!

JUST TELL ME THINGS! :)

OK the Rules:

* No duplicate comments.
* You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
* You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
* This giveaway is open to US Residents, aged 18 and older
* Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
* You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Contest runs from May 17 to June 14, 2010. Good luck! Visit the Official rules!
BlogHer.com exclusive offers page

There are FOUR other chances to win on the BlogHer round-up page! Click here to find out how!

I invite you to visit Flip’s official website for more information of the Flip HD
here: Flip Video website

thredUP and a FREE BOX OF SWAP! Don't wait!

DUDE!~

Do you know about thredUP?

Here is a COOL INVITE for my readers:

http://kids.thredup.com/dooblehvay

The first 1,000 boxes of kids clothes listed on the site will earn parents free swaps (up to $65 in swaps). Once we hit 1,000 boxes of kids clothes on the site, the swapping will commence...

FREE PEOPLE! free!

The Problem

Did you know that kids grow out of a set of new clothes every 6 months? That by age 17, kids have outgrown over 1,300 items and parents have spent nearly $20,000 on their clothing? Kids are expensive and they grow fast! Yet one of the most valuable things any kid has – clothing – typically gets given away when it’s outgrown because no great option exists to swap out the old for the new.

We also know that coordinating clothing swaps is hard – especially among your closest friends who live all over the place. Getting parents together and getting all the sizes right is always a challenge. Hand-me-downs always leave someone empty handed!

What is thredUP kids?

thredUP is where America’s busiest parents exchange boxes of clothes that no longer fit their kids for stylish ones that will. We coordinate swaps among a group of your closest friends or connect you with thousands of families nationwide. There’s no bidding, no auction lots, no rifling through consignment racks, and absolutely no trips to the post office. All swaps are done online, with scheduled home pick-up and delivery. thredUP is the next generation of swapping - a kids clothing revolution!

So what can I do on thredUP? Pick. Pay. Prepare and Send.

· Pick a box of gently used clothes you’d love to receive for your child.

· Pay for shipping

· Prepare and list a box of clothes your child has outgrown

· When someone picks your box, send it free of charge (we even have the Postal Service pick-up the box at your house).

We manage the quality control and review process and take care of all the details to make sure you get a quality exchange.

thredUP is green

Americans discard two quadrillion pounds (that’s a two with fifteen zeros!) of used clothes and textiles into landfills each year. thredUP lets you GO GREEN by swapping with like-minded moms and dads. By sharing what we already have, parents can make a huge step towards sustainability. Create a “thredbank” – the place for kids to save outgrown clothes to exchange when the time is right. thredUP allows you to teach your kids the importance of green living and lighten your family's overall eco-footprint.