Category — Giveaways

Hi everyone!  Well our Facebook giveaway did well and jumped our “fans” up over 300!  Now we’re going to do another gift certificate giveaway, this time for Google Friend Connect because this is what companies look at more than Twitter or Facebook and we’ve actually gotten turned down by some companies because we didn’t have enough followers on Google Friend Connect.  You may have noticed we have made following us on GFC part of the required entry in our giveaways and we may have to start checking that a little more closely because we only have 167 followers on GFC when we have over 300 on Facebook and over 500 on Twitter!

We’re going to give away a $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com this time so you can spend it on diapers, toys, books, or whatever else you want,  and all you have to do is follow us on Google Friend Connect.  If you are already following on there then you are already entered!  No need to comment on this post or anything, just follow us!  We will draw a winner when we have 500 followers, which if our Twitter and Facebook followers all follow us on GFC we will be there in no time!  Please remember, the more followers we have the more giveaways we can have, plus with more followers we can get bigger prizes!

Hi Amy here with another great giveaway that will keep your skin feeling as smooth as a baby’s bottom! Skin Free is an all natural skin care company that specifically caters to people with a wide range of special needs: people with allergies, eczema, acne, psoriasis, delicate, sensitive, and dry skin. While there are many “natural” skincare products on the market, few are rated by the Environmental Working Group with “0” toxicity. Skin Free Skincare has that honor. Skin Free was created by a practicing pharmacist in response to patient’s needs. It is safe, effective, and affordable. “Each product is formulated using natural oils and butters with specific moieties that actually do what we promise they will do. Sometimes they even do more.” Julie Hilton, founder and practicing pharmacist of Skin Free, explains what led her to create Skin Free:

“Working in a typical retail pharmacy setting, I was constantly frustrated when asked to recommend products for patients with difficult skin problems, especially those with fragrance allergies. I recognized a void in the market and knew that I could offer effective and affordable products to fill it. Atopic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis are life-long conditions and need to be addressed for the long term. Patients with diabetes or renal disease, pregnant women, babies, the elderly, and patients treated with radiation therapy can all benefit from quality natural products. Even people who just have dry, sensitive skin can appreciate wholesome natural skincare products.”

“Since I personally suffer from chronic allergies and eczema, I understand that it is very important for people with these conditions to maintain the integrity of their skin and reduce their exposure to antigens to help prevent acute outbreaks. These diseases can be quite debilitating and cause increase depression, work loss, and pain.”

“Naturally occurring vegetable oils and butters contain indigenous nutrients, antioxidants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and antibacterial agents that petroleum-based oils just don’t have. Natural oils absorb into the skin and do not feel greasy. They also come from replenishable sources, which is a great environmental concern.”

My kids both have sensitive skin as well as the occasional eczema flair ups. I also have sensitive skin. Several years ago, I started developing allergic reactions to anything scented, all shampoos, most detergents, most soaps, certain foods, etc. I was miserable. Turns out that I had a hormone imbalance and apparently all of these products have base components in them that can affect your body’s hormone levels. I was quite surprised to hear that several ob-gyns recommend menopausal women use Dove Sensitive Skin soap because it seems to have less of an affect on these women. From that point forward, I made it my business to to try to keep our bathroom (and our kitchen) as natural as possible. I made our own soap, cut out unnecessary products, significantly reduced packaged food, etc. I have since heard of many others who for similar reasons try to keep their bathrooms (and kitchens) as natural as possible.

In case you have never delved into all things soap related, let me give you a little background before I tell you just how great these Skin Free products really are! The story goes that soap was originally discovered thousands of years ago when people would go up in the mountains to offer animal sacrifices at a spring festival. The fat from the animals would mix with ash from the fire as well as water from melting ice caps. This would be washed down the mountain into the streams where people would use it to bathe. In order to create soap, you must have fat, water, and lye (which is made from wood ash). If you do not have those three ingredients, you do not have soap. The trick to getting a great bar of soap is in the amounts of these ingredients and the types of fats you select. Today soap can even be made using vegetable fats. The best soaps for your skin are those that are superfat, in other words have a higher fat content than average. (You do not want a superfat bar of soap for laundry though because some fat can be left behind on your clothes, which can lead to an “interesting” fragrance.) You may have heard older relatives talk about their mother’s homemade lye soap that burned when you bathed with it. Soap is a very delicate process. Everything must be measured precisely. Back in the day, they did not have digital scales to aid them in this process, so many women’s soap turned out caustic, the opposite of superfat.

The Skin Free Extra Moisturizing and Shampoo Bar is a fantastic bar of soap, especially for people with sensitive skin or those looking for a REAL bar of soap to keep in the bathroom as opposed to the bars of detergent they sell in the store. It is made with saponified coconut, palm, extra virgin olive oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. (Saponified is what happens to the oils once they are mixed with water and lye.) This particular mixture of ingredients produces a creamy, rich lather that will leave your skin feeling moisturized and soft! (If you want to check it out yourself, visit this soap calculator and click on the different fats to see what properties each has.) It also works well as a shampoo bar. Shampoo is also a detergent that can be hard on your hair and skin. If you are used to using a commercial shampoo and conditioner, be forewarned that it may take you a little longer to brush your hair, but I believe you will be pleased with the end results. I have noticed that I get more volume out of my fine hair when I use a superfat soap. Also, Skin Free offers a truly excellent price for a such a high quality bar of REAL soap. I have made soap at home for pennies a bar, but the quality of the fats is nothing compared to what is offered by Skin Free.

We also tried the Skin Free After Shower Moisture Spritz. The bars of detergent sold in the stores are not the only things that can dry out your skin. Water can also wash away oils that keep the skin from drying out. If you routinely take baths, you can simply add oils to your bath as people have done for thousands of years. Now you can get the benefits of bath oils in a simple after shower spray bottle. Simply spray the oil on your body while it is still wet from a hot shower. Then towel dry. I absolutely hate lotion. Either it irritates my skin or it leaves my skin feeling greasy! This After Shower Moisture Spritz is absolutely wonderful! It leaves your skin feeling soft and moist without that greasy feeling! Also the oils that are used (olive seed oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E) are particularly great for your skin!

Finally we also tried the Extra Moisturizing Liquid Soap. I personally prefer bar soap, but we do use some liquid soap in our house. If you are used to commercial liquid soap (or detergent), be aware that this will be thinner than what you are used to. The Extra Moisturizing Liquid Soap is made of saponified oils of sweet almond oil, olive seed oil, castor, shea butter fruit, and sodium borate. The sodium borate is a mineral that has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes including cleaning. It is added to liquid soaps to neutralize and help thicken the soap; however, the thickening is more or less significant depending on the types of oils used. While the Extra Moisturizing Liquid Soap is great on the skin, I seemed to note a particular odor to it that I couldn’t place. It could have been my super sensitive, pregnant nose at the time, but if you tend to be very sensitive to scents, you may want to be aware of that. (My friend down the street said she thought it smelled just fine….so maybe it was my pregnant nose!) Otherwise, this is an excellent option if you want a liquid soap for sensitive skin that is not a detergent! It would actually be a great soap to keep in the kitchen since hands are likely to get dried out and cracked from cooking and doing dishes!

Now you can enter to win $30 in Skin Free products!

Required entry:

• Tell me why you would like to win $30 in Skin Free products!
• Must be following Mommy and Me Giveaways via Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Also, be sure to give us your email address (You can leave it in name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like).

Extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway (including @MommyMeGiveaway, and a link to this post) and give us the permalink (1x per day).
• Subscribe to Skin Free’s blog.
• “Like” Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Blog about this giveaway and give us the link.
• Put our blog button on your blog or website (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

Giveaway ends September 18, 2010 at 11pm CST.

Hi, Lisa here with a great giveaway from Catchick6 Creations!  Elizabeth at Catchick6 Creations sent me a custom wool shortie with a sock monkey applique on it, and I have to say it is one of the cutest things I have ever seen!  She designs her own appliques and makes truly unique and fun clothing for children to wear!  You can see some of her current designs on her custom longies listing and her  custom shorties listing, and here is the adorable one she sent me:

Not only did she make these with my choice of fabric and design, but she also took Davey’s measurements and made it to fit him!  However, she asked if I wanted elastic in the waist or not, and I told her no, and with how stretchy this wool was it was actually just a little big for Davey when I got it.  I definitely recommend having her put elastic in it!  It would have fit perfectly if not for that.  So I waited a little while to try it out, and it fits Davey just fine now and works great as a diaper cover with no leaks!  It is very well made, and she even lanolized it for me, which is great because that is something I have not done before.

I really enjoyed working with Elizabeth at Catchick6 Creations to work out the details on my custom shorties and on the giveaway she is sponsoring!  She has offered to send one lucky winner a custom wool shortie with one of her current designs!

Required entry:

• Check out Catchick6 Creations and tell me what design you would choose if you win.
• Must be following Mommy and Me Giveaways on Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Please be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.  You can leave it in Name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like.

Extra entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

• Follow @Catchick6 on Twitter.
• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway and give me the permalink.  Include @Catchick6, @MommyMeGiveaway, #clothdiapers, and a link to this post.  (1x per day)
• Like Catchick6 Creations on Facebook.
• Like Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Follow the Catchick6 Creations blog on Google Friend Connect.
• Make a purchase from Catchick6 Creations during this giveaway.  Please give me the name you used to place your order so we can verify this.
• Blog about this giveaway and give me the link.
• Put our blog button on your blog or website and give me the link (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

Giveaway ends September 14, 2010 at 11pm CST.

Giveaway open to US and Canada only.

Hi, Lisa here with a great cloth diaper giveaway!  Mother-ease Cloth Diapers started out when Erika and Rick Froese’s son, Sandy, was born, with the design of their All In One cloth diaper.  They later found the need to design a diaper for heavy wetters, and they made the Sandy’s fitted cloth diaper, which I have tried and must say it really does work well for a heavy wetter!  Later they decided to make a One Size Cloth Diaper that folds down to reveal a second row of snaps to make it fit from birth through potty training.  This has been their best-selling cloth diaper!  I have had the chance to try out the Mother-ease One-Size Cloth Diaper over the last month or so, along with the Mother-ease Air Flow cover, which was designed because other covers were not made to fit well over the Mother-ease cloth diapers.  The sale of Mother-ease cloth diapers dates back to 1991 when they worked out of their basement at home, first only available in Canada, but they soon made them available to Europe and their best sales were from Germany and Austria.  Mother-ease cloth diapers became available in the United States in 1995.

Mother-ease One Size Cloth Diapers are available in cotton terry, organic cotton terry, bamboo terry, and cotton terry with stay-dry fabric sewn to the inside.  I have been trying out a cotton terry one and have been very impressed with how absorbent it is!  Cotton has become my favorite material in cloth diapers lately; there are no stink issues like you get with microfiber, and it is soft and very absorbent.   The Mother-ease One Size Cloth Diaper has a snap-in insert and folds down to adjust the diaper to fit from approximately 8.5 pounds to 35 pounds.  It also has cross over tabs to fit your tiny newborn.  You can see pictures of how the Mother-ease One Size Cloth Diaper fits on different size babies here:  One Size Fit.  It fits Davey on the large setting.  At first I was worried about the row of snaps on the inside possibly leaving snap marks, but the snap-in insert covers that row of snaps and we’ve not had any problems with snap marks.

The Mother-ease Air Flow Diaper Cover is a breathable cover with adjustable snaps at the waist and legs.  It has an air ventilation system between the snaps to allow for maximum air flow while baby moves.  The Mother-ease Air Flow Cover is a sized cover and is made to fit with the Mother-ease One Size Diaper or Sandy’s Fitted Diaper.  It comes in different colors and 5 cute prints!  We’ve had no leaks while using the Mother-ease One Size Diaper and Air Flow Cover.  The only complaint I have is it is a little snug around Davey’s thighs, but that is a problem we have with most diapers and covers and probably is not a normal issue with this cover with most babies.

Mother-ease Cloth Diapers has offered to send one lucky winner an introductory package with a Cotton Terry One Size Cloth Diaper and an Air Flow Cover in your choice of size and color or print.

Required entry:

• Check out the Mother-ease Air Flow Cover and tell me which print or color you would choose if you win.
• Must be following Mommy and Me Giveaways on Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Please include your email address so we know how to contact you if you win.  You can put it in Name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like.

Extra entries:

• Follow @motherease on Twitter.
• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway and give me the permalink.  Include @motherease, @MommyMeGiveaway, #clothdiapers, and a link to this post. (1x per day)
• Like Mother-ease Cloth Diapers on Facebook.
• Like Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Blog about this giveaway and give me the link.
• Put our blog button on your website or blog (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

Giveaway ends September 13, 2010 at 11pm CST.

I am always looking for ways to save money; I have to admit the “green” things I do are mostly for the sake of saving money, though of course I do also care about the environment and I know that by using reusable products instead of throw-away products we can help the environment and keep waste from entering our landfills.  Wooltopia Wooly GoRound Dryer Balls can replace chemical-filled dryer sheets.  They are all natural, made of 100% wool.  Not only do they save money on dryer sheets, but I was told they improve air circulation which cuts down on drying time, which saves energy.  I haven’t been able to really test out that part yet because my dryer is giving me problems and not drying well, though definitely not caused by the wool dryer balls!  I was having this problem with laundry sheets as well.   I can’t wait to see how much they cut down drying time when I get a new dryer!  Erin at Wooltopia told me that  using 4-6 dryer balls in a medium load should cut down drying time by 25%!

Erin sent me 4 undyed Wooltopia Wooly GoRound dryer balls.  She also has them available in different colors, as well as scented dryer balls!  Just one scented dryer ball is needed to make your laundry smell wonderful!  I have been using them in place of dryer sheets for awhile, and while I have to admit I did not really know much about the advantages of wool dryer balls before, I was impressed!  My laundry has been coming out static-free, and soft and fluffy!  I had never used any kind of dryer ball before, and I had been skeptical on if all Davey’s fleece shorties and longies would come out static-free.  At times they even came out with lots of static when using dryer sheets.  So that was the real test…  when I wash Davey’s clothes, including his 3 pairs of fleece longies and 3 pairs of fleece shorties, they come out completely free of static using the Wooltopia wool dryer balls!  Definitely very impressive!  Also I do not use any fabric softener in the washer, yet our clothes come out nice and soft after being dried with the wool dryer balls!

Wooltopia has offered to send one lucky winner a set of 4 undyed Wooly GoRound dryer balls!

Required entry:

• Check out the Wooltopia website and tell me one thing you learned.
• Must be following on Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Please be sure to leave your email address.  You can leave it in name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like.

Extra entries:

• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway and give me the permalink.  Include @MommyMeGiveaway, #wool, and a link to this post.  (1x per day)
• Like Wooltopia on Facebook.
• Like Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Blog about this giveaway and give me the link.
• Put our blog button on your website or blog and give me the link (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

Giveaway ends on September 10, 2010 at 11pm CST.

Giveaway open to the US only.

Hi Amy here. Do you get tired of listening to children’s music that sounds like you recorded it in your bedroom using a cheap keyboard? It drives my husband crazy…especially when we are driving to see family for 9 hours in the car! Perhaps you would rather be listening to the radio but don’t want your child repeating EVERYTHING he or she might hear. Well, the answer to your problems is here! They are The Rattles, an eclectic group of furry musicians from the swamps of Central Jersey. Their debut album, Rattle On, is set for release September 25th and contains a sound reminiscent of classic rock with a touch of power pop! It actually reminds me of The Beatles and The Monkees. They also have some great, fun lyrics with underlying themes of sharing and friendship! You can meet the band: Gus, Kitty, Hal, and Sal along with their manager, Benny, and their groupies (all named Elvis) on their website. You can also listen to their mp3 of Wavy Lane. This cd will definitely be going with us on our next car trip!

Now you can enter to win a copy of The Rattles debut album, Rattle On! One lucky winner will be chosen….it just might be you!

Required entry:

• Go to The Rattles website and tell me something fun you learned about the band!
• Must be following Mommy and Me Giveaways via Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Also, be sure to give us your email address (You can leave it in name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like).

Extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway (including @MommyMeGiveaway, and a link to this post) and give us the permalink (1x per day).
• “Like” Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Blog about this giveaway and give us the link.
• Put our blog button on your blog or website (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

Giveaway ends September 7, 2010 at 11pm CST.

Hi Amy here. Now that I have two kids in diapers, I am having great fun reviewing one size diapers and trying them out on both of my kids! It is really neat to be able to see how the diaper will fit on a little one and how it will continue to perform on an older child! Our second one size diaper review and giveaway, brought to you by Jessica and John, is the Doopsy Cloth Diaper! Unfortunately, this will also be the last cloth diaper giveaway in which both Jessica and John participate in product testing because Jessica up and decided that she was done with diapers!!!

The Doopsy Cloth Diaper is a pocket diaper that comes in 5 bright colors with many different options to meet the needs of the many different cloth diapering families! The “R” style diaper comes with two 4 layer microfiber inserts for just $14.95! This should take most babies from 10 lbs to at least 35 lbs and is easier on the budget than many other pocket diapers available! The “D” style diaper comes with one 4 layer microfiber insert AND a Doopsy PUL insert/bamboo soaker to give you extra protection from leaks all for just $15.95! This unique insert/soaker can also be easily adjusted to fit infants between 10 and 35 lbs as well. Finally the “SD” style diaper comes with one 4 layer microfiber insert, a Doopsy PUL insert/bamboo soaker, AND an extra bamboo/hemp absorbency pad all for just $16.95! Exceptional absorbency, leak protection, and a trim fit with a variety of price options available! This is truly one of the most versatile cloth diapers on the market!

Unlike the last time I got a diaper made with bamboo in the mail, this time I remembered to boil the diaper BEFORE using it! The absorbency is absolutely awesome, AND you still get a great trim fit! I also love all of the different options! The Doopsy Cloth Diaper is a great diaper, especially for parents with multiple children in cloth diapers or parents who are looking for a cheaper pocket diaper without sacrificing quality! After using the diaper with both of my children at night and during the day, I only have one complaint and that is the snaps. I have only recently started using diapers with snaps as opposed to hook and loop. Of all the snap diapers I have tried so far, the Doopsy Cloth Diaper gives the best fit. However, I think that you get the best fit with hook and loop because you are not quite as limited as to where the tabs must be attached. However, I also realize that snaps are more durable so it just depends on the family.

Now you can enter to win a Doopsy SD style cloth diaper!

Required entry:

• Go to the Doopsy website and tell me what you like best about this diaper!
• Must be following Mommy and Me Giveaways via Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Also, be sure to give us your email address (You can leave it in name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like).

Extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway (including @MommyMeGiveaway, and a link to this post) and give us the permalink (1x per day).
• “Like” Doopsy on Facebook.
• “Like” Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Blog about this giveaway and give us the link.
• Put our blog button on your blog or website (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

Giveaway ends August 26, 2010 at 11pm CST.

Hi Amy here with a great giveaway from my #1 favorite place to purchase baby carriers: Carry Me Away! They offer the widest selection of baby carriers I have seen to date! They also offer free shipping on all orders $50 and up! Along with great customer service, they also break down all of the different options available in baby carriers to help you find the one that is right for you! They are a wonderful company, and I am pleased to be hosting an ERGO Backpack giveaway with them!

If you have never tried an ERGO carrier, you are truly missing out! You can put a child on your back without assistance with just two simple buckles! They are also incredibly comfortable, even when carrying a toddler while pregnant! While I was pregnant with baby John, I ended up flying with my very busy two year old, Jessica, and the ERGO carrier was a lifesaver!!! I had a direct flight, which unfortunately was canceled due to a busted windshield. I ended up having to go through Atlanta. I would have never made it with Jessica, her carseat, and our two carry-ons without the ERGO carrier! Being new to the ERGO carrier, I didn’t know they made an ERGO Backpack that attached to it….that would have made it even easier!!!!

Me and Jessica at the airport!

The ERGO Backpack is the perfect solution for a day hiking trip, an on-flight carry-on, and outings around town. It could very easily replace a diaper bag for most outings!

The ERGO Backpack stuffed to the brim!

...with 12 Bumgenius diapers w/inserts, 12 baby washcloths, 1 sippy cup of water, 1 plastic baggie for dirty diapers, 1 large receiving blanket, and 1 huge container of Goldbond powder....everything we HAVE to have for a day out with both kiddos!!!!

I actually prefer a backpack style bag to a diaper bag most of the time because it is not constantly sliding down my arm while I am dealing with my busy toddler (and this one is very comfortable)! The ERGO Backpack can be worn as a backpack, carried by the handle, or attached to the ERGO carrier. It attaches to the ERGO carrier by looping a tab around each of the top two straps. The older version has four looping tabs – two at the top and two at the bottom. I don’t see why they did away with the bottom two looping tabs. Even if you didn’t want to use them to allow for more expansion in the bag, there might be times you would want the bag better secured. Amazingly, once you are used to the ERGO carrier it is still pretty easy to put the carrier on without assistance even when the bag is fully loaded! I was also surprised that I was actually able to get some things out of the bag while wearing Jessica on my back. I do wish it was a little easier to get the bag off while wearing a child in the carrier. I also wish that the bag either had a lock or a drawstring….to keep my mischievous toddler OUT of it!!

Overall, I love the idea of having a bag that can be taken on and off of my carrier, giving me the ultimate arms-free experience when out with my little ones! If the quality of the ERGO Backpack is anything like the ERGO Carrier (and it seems to be), then it should last through all of my children and will be worth the retail value of $29.99-$64 (although I rarely pay that for a backpack…). I would definitely recommend it to others, especially those who find themselves needing the ultimate arms-free experience while out with their little ones!

Now you can enter to win an ERGO backpack of your choice of remaining stock at Carry Me Away!

Required entry:

• Go to The Sling Lady’s blog and tell me something you learned there!
• Must be following Mommy and Me Giveaways via Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Also, be sure to give us your email address (You can leave it in name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like).

Extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway (including @MommyMeGiveaway, and a link to this post) and give us the permalink (1x per day).
• “Like” Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Sign up for Carry Me Away’s newsletter.
• Blog about this giveaway and give us the link.
• Put our blog button on your blog or website (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

Giveaway ends August 16, 2010 at 11pm CST.

Hi, Lisa here with my first Fun in the Sun giveaway!  Amy has been focusing on the sun safety products, and I have been trying to find great products you can enjoy outside with your little ones (while practicing sun safety!).  Little Tikes has been making kids toys since 1970 and just celebrated their 40th anniversary this year!  They are committed to making safe, quality, durable fun toys that encourage discovery and learning, and they urge kids to play outdoors and “Get up and grow!”

I was so excited when Little Tikes offered to sponsor a giveaway on our blog!  I had been looking forward to Davey getting to the age to have ride on toys, especially Little Tikes ride on toys because I remember how durable and safe they are since my younger brother had them when he was little.  Actually, up until recently my mom still had his Little Tikes classic pick up truck from about 13 years ago and it was still in good condition!

Little Tikes sent Davey a Spray & Rescue Fire Truck to try out and I have to say it quickly became his favorite toy!  As you know, I’ve had a lot of family stuff going on lately, so it was actually quite some time before we even took it outside and put water in it, but Davey climbed in and rode it around the house all the time!  It was the first toy he’d go to when he got up in the morning and after naps.  We finally did take it outside not too long ago, and he loves playing in the water and climbing on it outside, though it is a little hard for him to push in the grass outside, as he is on the lower end of the recommended age range (1 1/2 to 5 years).  I love that this is a toy he can grow with and play with for a few more years!

The Spray & Rescue Fire Truck was fairly easy to assemble, though trying to put it together while Davey was awake made it a little more difficult!  It has a pressurized water tank and hose that really squirts water!  The water tank is easily removable which makes it easy to fill up, and it holds up to 2 gallons of water.  Davey was able to move the pump up and down, but of course he did not understand that was what makes the water come out.  It definitely would be easier for a slightly older child to play with on their own though.  There is a button on the end of the water hose to make it spray, which Davey could do himself, but he preferred to have me spray him than to play with the hose himself!

The Spray & Rescue Fire Truck is very sturdy and durable.  Davey climbs in and out of it, even head first over the side that doesn’t have a door, and he has not even come close to flipping it over!  It rolls easily on smooth surfaces, but not so easily that your little one will have it roll out from under them.  It is definitely of the high quality you would expect from Little Tikes!

Little Tikes has offered to send one of our lucky readers their own Spray & Rescue Fire Truck!

Required entry:

• What was your favorite Little Tikes toy (or your siblings’ or child’s favorite)?
• Must be following Mommy and Me Giveaways via Google Friend Connect to enter.
• Also, be sure to give us your email address (You can leave it in name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like).

Extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow @LittleTikes on Twitter.
• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway (including @LittleTikes, @MommyMeGiveaway, and a link to this post) and give us the permalink (1x per day).
• “Like” Little Tikes on Facebook.
• “Like” Mommy and Me Giveaways on Facebook.
• Sign up for Little Tikes‘ newsletter.
• Blog about this giveaway and give us the link.
• Put our blog button on your blog or website (code is in the sidebar).
• Put our Fun in the Sun button on your blog or website (code is in the sidebar).
• Subscribe to Mommy and Me Giveaways by email.

This giveaway is open to US and Canada.

Giveaway ends August 14, 2010 at 11pm CST.

Hi Amy here again with an opportunity for TWO lucky winners!! (I wasn’t kidding when I said we would be having several more giveaways in the very near future with Sierra Summits!!!) If you remember, earlier this summer Sierra Summits provided our readers with a discount code for a limited time on the purchase of sunscreen from their website. Well, now they are giving away bottles of their new Tahoe Kids Sunscreen to our readers throughout the rest of the summer! The Tahoe Kids Sunscreen is the same great product I reviewed earlier this summer, only this time in a fun, kid-friendly bottle!! Currently it is retailing for $12.99 for a 3oz tube. Yes, quality sunscreen is expensive, but protecting your kids from melanoma is truly priceless!  I am a rather frugal person, but I pay through the nose to keep my kids safe from dangerous UV rays. I never want them to look at their own children and wonder if they will live to see them start talking due to melanoma. If you missed my review of the Sierra Summits sunscreen earlier this summer, I have re-posted a portion of it below.

Sierra Summits’ sunscreen was the first to obtain the Melanoma International Foundation’s Seal of Approval. The main active ingredient in Sierra Summits’ sunscreen is Zinc Oxide, which has been used for over 300 years and has a history of being safe for longterm use and effective for blocking UVA and UVB rays. It also does not degrade in the sunlight like Avobenzone so no photo-stabilizing chemicals must be added. They avoid the use of oils, fragrances, and Avobenzone to create a sunscreen that will not irritate sensitive skin. They have also avoided using Oxybenzone (which appears in 98% of mainstream sunscreens) because of its reputation with regard to how it is absorbed by the skin and longterm effects. It also goes on lightly like lotion so you are not stuck feeling greasy all day!! They choose not to offer a spray-on version because you are less likely to get full coverage and effects of inhaling those chemicals is unknown. The average sunscreen you pick up at the grocery store cannot boast of these things and many of them will cause reactions in those with sensitive skin (specifically our little ones). This is a sunblock that the entire family can use and be protected from dangerous UV rays!! (except for those under 1 year of age)

Required entry: Name one thing that makes Tahoe Kids a great sunscreen choice for your family and leave your e-mail address (You can leave it in name (at) email (dot) com format if you would like).

Extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Follow @MommyMeGiveaway on Twitter.
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• Tweet about this giveaway and give me the permalink (1x per day).
• Blog about this giveaway and give me the link.
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• Add our Fun in the Sun button to your blog or website and give me the link (code is in the sidebar).
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Giveaway ends August 4, 2010 at 11pm CST.