.::Review & GIVEAWAY::. CollageIt Pro

I am really excited to show you this software!  CollageIt allows you to make professional looking collages without professional skills!  This is a wonderful way to make a digital scrapbook to share with family and friends.  You can create a theme for every collage you create!  It is really fast & easy to download AND to use! 

We made the pink collage above for my daughter to share electronically with her classmates.  The other (pictured below) is for her Grandpa for Father's Day!  She picked out the photos & placed them herself, and she is six.  I did sit with her to explain it, but it really is that easy!

As simple as the program is, there’s still a lot of room for creativity. The fact that a stunning collage is done in seconds doesn’t mean you can’t have fun playing with
different easily available layout options. By changing the background color, distance between pictures, rotation angle and series of other options you can endlessly create
collages with new design and each time results will look unique and fresh.

Use CollageIt to turn photo viewing into an entertainment event for the whole family. Create vibrant collages right away or experiment with different layout options and
number of photos. It’s time to give your memories the classy look they really deserve!

Download your FREE TRIAL version - for PC or Mac - in time for Father's Day so you can create some awesomeness, too!  

Enter below to win CollageIt Pro - a $19.95 value!  There will be 19 winners!

PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 1 MINUTE FOR FORM TO FULLY LOAD.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

.::Review::.THE PRINCESS DIARIES: 10th Anniversary Edition + THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: Royal Engagement DVD/Blu-Ray Combo

My 6 year old is convinced she's really a princess.  It's no surprise that we have watched every movie that has royalty in it.  When we got the chance to review The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, we were ecstatic! 

In The Princess Diaries, Mia Thermopolis is the average teenager - sweet, a little geeky and pretty much invisible to everyone with the exception of her mother, best friend Lilly and Lilly's older brother Michael. Making it through high school without throwing up is a challenge in itself for Mia, so it doesn't come as welcome news when her estranged grandmother shows up out of the blue and calmly informs her that she is in fact the heir to the throne of a European country called Genovia. Suddenly Mia's life is thrown into complete overload. She's being taught about scarves, waves and pears in order to become a perfect princess, she gets a makeover and a tough looking yet sweet bodyguard/limo driver called Joe. Things get out of hand when the media gets a hold of the story and suddenly Mia is thrust into the spotlight in both the newspapers and in school. On top of all that Mia has a choice to make. She must decide by Genovia's Independence Day Ball whether she longs to relinquish her claim on the throne or to become the princess and heir to the throne and father and grandmother want her to be.

In The Princess Diaries 2, this modern-day fairy tale picks up right where The Princess Diaries left off!  As future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia (Hathaway) has everything a girl could want – except the magical romance she’s always dreamed of.  But soon, Mia’s shocked to discover that she needs to get married right now or her family will lose the crown!  Comic complications rule the day in this delightful family story about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true!

We found both movies to be delightful and very funny! My daughter had a deep belly laugh throughout, especially when Mia uses a wooden leg to fake riding side saddle, and then it falls off!  It has an underlying moral to the story of being true to yourself, which all little princesses should learn!  You can purchase your own copy of THE PRINCESS DIARIES: 10th Anniversary Edition + THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: Royal Engagement DVD/Blu-Ray Combo on Amazon for only $39 shipped!

.::Review & GIVEAWAY::. PottyCovers

http://penny-pinching-polly.blogspot.com/2012/06/review-giveaway-collageit-pro.html

If your child plays on any team, or takes any outdoor lessons, or travels in the car with you, you probably have used a porta potty or similarly filthy bathroom.  No more squatting and hoping for good aim. (Ladies, we've all done it!)  PottyCover has your kids (and YOU) covered! 

PottyCover is a disposable toilet seat cover for children that covers the sides and the front of the toilet, to keep away germs at public restrooms.  It is made of non-woven fabric coated with a layer of plastic, creating a waterproof barrier between the toilet and the child. This product has the largest coverage of all seat covers on the market and for added convenience, each seat cover is individually packaged in a small, easy to open bag that makes it super easy to always keep one or two in a purse or a back pocket. 

My daughter takes riding lessons.  It's a 30 minute drive each way, plus the 60 minute lesson.  The only restroom on the premises for public use is a porta potty.  I put my PottyCovers to good use at her last riding lesson AND when we went fishing!  I then put 2 in my purse, and 2 in my glove compartment.  Yep, you get 6 in a pack! I also ordered another package, just in case! 

 

A pack of PottyCover sells for $5.99 and it is available on Amazon, Ebay, all Buy Buy Baby stores around the country and at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

 

Now for the GIVEAWAY:

 

PottyCover wants to give one lucky PPP reader a free package of PottyCovers!  Use the easy entry form below!  Best of luck!

 

 

 

 

Javascript must be enabled to enter this giveaway. Learn how to activate Javascript by clicking here.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

.::Review & GIVEAWAY::. The Perry Files DVD with Digital Copy and Perry Activity Pack!

Synopsis:

While Phineas and Ferb do it all to make every day the best day ever, evil lurks just around the corner! But there is hope for the unsuspecting citizens of Danville. Now, for the very first time, crack open the top- secret archives of O.W.C.A. (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) to expose... THE PERRY FILES!

Join Perry the Platypus–a.k.a. Agent P.–on his most exciting adventures as he thwarts his nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, at every turn. With groovy gadgets, mad skills and his trademark brown fedora, this semi- aquatic, egg-layin’ mammal of action is unstoppable! Experience the hilarious havoc as he defends the Tristate Area against Doof’s “inators,” battles rogue agent “Dennis the Bunny,” and much more. When it comes to secret agents, Perry’s not only the real deal, he’s real teal!

Cast:

Vincent Martella (TV’s “Everybody Hates Chris”) as voice of Phineas 

Thomas Brodie-Sangster (TV’s “Phineas and Ferb”) as voice of Ferb 

Dan Povenmire (TV’s “Phineas and Ferb”) as voice of Dr. Heinz Doofenschmirtz 

Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure) as voice of Candace 

Alyson Stoner (Step Up 3D, Camp Rock 1 & 2) as voice of Isabella 

Caroline Rhea (TV’s “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody”) as voice of Mom

Creators/Executive Producers:

Dan Povenmire (TV’s “Family Guy” and “The Simpsons”) 

Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (TV’s “Rocko’s Modern Life” and “The Simpsons”) 

Bonus Features:

Nerves of Teal

Do you have nerves of teal? Then OWCA (Organization Without a Cool Acronym) wants you! See if you have what it takes to become like Agent P in this spy recruiting video.

Platybus Tour

Take a look inside the Platybus, the traveling Phineas and Ferb exhibit that toured North America.

Polly's Thoughts:

This was a wonderful collection of some of my favorite episodes from Phineas & Ferb that featured Perry!  As huge fans of the shows, and even bigger fans of Perry (my daughter and I have matching Perry t-shirts), this DVD has quickly become one of my house's favorites! 

A digital copy is included so you can view this on the go! This will make our upcoming road trip go much smoother!  There is also a Perry Activity Pack included!  This is a MUST HAVE DVD for the Summer of 2012!  If you don't already own it, be sure to pick up a copy!

Here's a sneak peek inside the Platybus:

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY PORTION!!! I am stoked to be able to give this away!!!  Just use the super easy form below!  Good luck!

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.::Review & Giveaway::. Ooh La Leggies

Ooh La Leggies are one of a kind, one size fits most (newborn through adult) leg warmers.  The leg warmers are approximately 15 inches long.  They are made of  80% cotton, 15% polyester, and 5% spandex. They are super stretchy, yet retain their shape!  They are also SUPER CUTE!  My daughter just loves her Cupcake Cuties Ooh La Leggies!  She wears them to school under a dress or skirt.  All the other little girls ooh and aah over them!  

These would be PERFECT for a birthday outfit!

When leg warmers first hit the scene, I was a bit skeptical.  Some place were charging more than I pay for an outfit for my child.  Not Ooh La Leggies! Their prices start at $8 for a single pair, or a gift set of 2 starts at just $13 

These are NOT just for babies!  Yes, they are wonderful for babies - you can protect their little legs while they're crawling, keep them in just a diaper (or onesie) and leg warmers for easy diaper changes - but, they grow with your child!  The same baby girl who was so cute in her leg warmers and onesie will be beautiful in a pretty dress and leg warmers!  The same baby boy who sported his Ooh La Leggies with a diaper can wear these under his uniform to stay warm during cold sporting events!  My personal favorite?  I use these to turn a t-shirt into a long sleeved shirt!  When we're going to do something messy (or wet!), I just take off the arm warmers.  Rolling up sleeves has NEVER worked for us! 

These will work like pants (foot to hip) on babies, and still be usable for years to come!  They are a great investment, especially with Ooh La Leggies' low prices!  There are 14 styles currently available with 5 more coming for their summer line! 

Ooh La Leggies Summer Line

Now for the FUN part!  Ooh La Leggies wants to give one of you a FREE Pair!!!  Use the simple entry form below and you could win!

Be sure to LIKE Ooh La Leggies on Facebook so you can keep up with the new designs, sales, and giveaways!  

Ooh La Leggies



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.::Review & Giveaway::.Build a Dream Playhouses

Build a Dream Playhouses was created with the belief that imaginative play is absolutely critical to the developing minds of children.  This line of products is centered on creativity and imagination, and is completely kid-driven.  Build a Dream Playhouses supplies the palate for children to paint their dreams, and ideas for the playhouses can be generated from children all over the world.

Their website features videos of how to assemble each Playhouse, which I think is amazing!  There have been many occasions where I have wished for a how-to-video for putting things together.  I am more of a visual person, and sometimes simply reading the instructions just doesn't work for me!  Thank you, Build a Dream Playhouses, for thinking outside the box! 

My own daughter (whom I refer to as Mini-Me), has a deep love for cardboard boxes.  I am always cutting little windows in cardboard boxes for doll houses or play houses for Mini-Me.  Unfortunately, the fun never lasts long, as the boxes that have already been beat up while housing whatever it is they were used to ship.  Mini-Me is always sad when the box she decorated with love falls apart after a few days of play.  That is why Build a Dream Playhouses are so wonderful!  Mini-Me can decorate her Imagine Wagon and enjoy it for a very long time!  It's built to be played with by kids!  It arrives safely packed inside a shipping box, and ready for you to build a dream.

Here is a photo of the Imagine Wagon:

Mini-Me is crazy about the ice cream truck, and at six years old, she thinks driving an ice cream truck is her dream job!  The only downside is now she charges me for every freeze pop I eat.  Luckily, I get to be the banker she deposits her money with at the end of the day, or I'd end up bankrupt by the end of summer! The reusable stickers from Build a Dream Playhouses are WONDERFUL! My daughter can transform her ice cream truck into a taxi, ambulance, fire rescue truck, police car, or pizza delivery truck with just a peel & stick!

I'm sure you're wondering about the GIVEAWAY portion of this blog post.  Build a Dream Playhouses is letting the winner pick either The Dream Machine or The Cosmic Cruiser!!  I told you they're a cool company! 

I've already shown you the super cute Imagine Wagon above.  Now, for the rest of the playhouses!

Growing up, I was that cute kid at the garage sale that was selling lemonade and water.  Unfortunately, I didn't have this cute Snack Shack to decorate and sell from.  I only had a styrofoam cooler and a lounge chair that collapsed on me if you didn't balance yourself just right. 

The Cosmic Cruiser makes me want to put on the astronaut's helmet I got for my 7th birthday and fly to the moon!  I'm still going to be an astronaut when I grow up.

 The Dream Machine brings back memories of my sister and I pushing two kitchen chairs together to build our dream car.  I must admit, this one looks much cooler, and nobody will rip it apart at dinner time!

This Pop 'n Play Castle is a little one's dream come true!  Who doesn't dream of being a knight slaying dragons or a princess living the pampered life?  ::sigh::  I should have been a princess!



Oh, Pop N' Play Kitchen the fun we would have had when I was a child.  I liked nothing better than playing house.  How I long for the days when the chores were pretend!

Have you decided if you prefer The Dream Machine or The Cosmic Cruiser?  Even if you don't win, their prices are very affordable, and shipping is super fast!

Prior winners of any giveaway hosted by Build a Dream Playhouses are not eligible to enter this Giveaway.

PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 1 MINUTE FOR FORM TO LOAD.

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.::Review & Giveaway::. PetCakes® Collectibles - Series 2 - Forest Animals

Like most kids, my daughter loves stuffed animals.  She also loves anything cupcake themed.  That made PetCakes a HUGE HIT in our home!  I wish I had the willpower to hold onto these for Easter, as they'd make the perfect Easter Basket toy, but I was only able to keep them a secret for about 30 minutes after mini-me got home from school.  I was just so excited, and I knew she would fall in love with them.  I was right!  She squealed with delight upon seeing them. She loved that they were hidden inside an adorable cupcake wrapper with a frosted hat topper! They really brought out the giggles in her. 

From PetCakes' website:

Well Made™ Toy Manufacturing Corporation, introduces PetCakes™, a new collectible plush pet line that will be a sweet treat for children ages 3 & up. Each PetCakes animal features a "frosting" hat, comes nestled in its own cupcake wrapper and has its own whimsical backstory. At first look, children will see a delicious cupcake but will then be surprised by the pet they find snuggled inside! Combining sweet faces and cuddly plush with a clever cupcake theme, PetCakes are collectible and provide hours of open-ended imaginative play. PetCakes make perfect gifts for a special friend and for pet lovers. They are ideal for birthday party favors, stocking stuffers and as rewards for good grades. Most of all, PetCakes deliver the kind of fun kids eat up!

Right now, there is a special offer: Buy (4) or more PetCakes Collectibles plush toys and receive the PetCakes Collectibles Minis - 4 pack FREE! You only pay an additional $1.99 shipping and handling.

We received PetCakes® Collectibles - Honey Cakes™ and PetCkes® Collectibles - Nutty Nicky™!  Honey Cakes is my daughter's favorite! She sleeps with him and puts him in her doll stroller when we take our walks. 

You can WIN one of PetCakes® Collectibles - Series 2 - Forest Animals below!  There is Honey Cakes™, Bamboo Berry™, Nutty Nicky™ & Roco Coco™.

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.::REVIEW::.. Freestyle Motorcross

I felt like a kid again at Freestyle Motorcross!  I had no idea what to expect. I've seen it on TV, but that is NOTHING like being there!  The sounds, the sights - you can FEEL the excitement!  Wow! The riders are beyond talented AND courageous!  It's right there IN YOUR FACE!  They're literally above your head!  If you like excitement, you will LOVE FMX!  You should definitely see them when they come to your town!  

The finale is absolutely incredible!  Motorcycles, bicycles & quads - oh my!  All flying or jumping at the same time!  

Check out Ticketmaster to see when they will be in your neck of the woods!

 

.::PRODUCT REVIEW::. Thermos King Travel Mug

I am a Daddy's girl. My childhood memories are full of being excited that Daddy was finally home from the glass factory.  I can still see him rinsing out his Thermos in the sink after work, and filling it up with hot coffee before work.  Often, he'd work 16 hour days, and his coffee stayed as hot as when it was freshly brewed.  My dad carried the SAME Thermos for 37 years, until he retired.  

Due to these fond memories, and knowing the superb quality of Thermos, I was elated to try a Thermos travel mug!  Specifically, I tested out the Thermos King 16 oz Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Tumbler.  I put it to the test with piping hot cocoa, and a snow filled sledding trip! This travel mug is incredible!  My daughter likes her hot cocoa only lukewarm, so I had to actually transfer her portion into a separate cup.  The Thermos travel mug kept it hot for 6 hours!  

I also put this travel mug to the test at the opposite side of the spectrum.  My daughter is allowed water at school, but we can never keep it cold for the entire day.  I'm happy to report that water from the refrigerator is still refrigerator cold 24 hours after being put in the Thermos travel mug!  When they say spill-proof, they mean it! My daughter tosses everything into her book bag.  The thermos was rolling around amongst her papers and books, and nothing got wet!

With its vintage 1950s look, and the same high quality that Thermos is famous for, you cannot go wrong with the Thermos King 16 oz Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Tumbler!

.::Review & Giveaway::. POP for Addition & Subtraction

Learning Resources sent me POP for Addition & Subtraction to review.  (I also get to give one away - so be sure to enter to WIN one!)   I was especially excited to review this game because I think it is important that children think of math as FUN.  Math is such an important part of every day living!

This cute math-fact game comes in a box that looks like a gumball machine!  There are different levels at which you can play.  The various levels makes it fun (and a great learning experience) for kids ages 4-12.  

Level 1 has you place the gumball machine (container) in the center of the playing area. The player spins to see how many gumball cards he/she should take.  For each gumball, if you solve the math fact correctly, you keep the gumball.  If you answer incorrectly, you place the gumball in a pile of "un-popped" cards.(Go through the pile later for practice.)  If you draw a "POP!" card, you have to put all your cards back in the box. You keep taking turns into all gumballs are out of the machine.  The player with the most gumballs wins! 

My daughter and I like to put our own little spin on things.  Since she is only 6, we play until one of us has 10 gumballs.  The first person with 10 gumballs is the winner.  We've also played it where whoever gets the "POP!" card gets to take their opponents gumballs!

I took this to my daughter's kindergarten class.  They do 9 minute centers, so we played it where whoever had the most gumballs at the end of 8 minutes (we need clean up time) got a REAL gumball!  It was a hit!  Sure, they start out using their fingers, but they quickly start memorizing these essential math facts from the repetition.  My daughter's class LOVES this game!  

Product Details: Includes 90 math-fact cards (1-10), 10 POP! cards, spinner and guide (printed on box). Measures 3½L x 3½W x 6H". For 2-4 players.

Would you like to win your very own POP for Addition & Subtraction Game from Learning Resources?  It's easy to enter!  Just use the form below!  If you don't win, you can buy this for only $9.99 on the Learning Resources' website.  This makes it a very affordable very fun birthday or classroom gift.  If you have a child who is struggling with math facts, I highly recommend this game!

Please be patient while the form loads. It may take up to 1 minute. Good luck!

Gain Exposure Through Review & Giveaway

I am seeking items to review. Items reviewed will not be returned. The length of your giveaway is negotiable, as are the number of Facebook and twitter mentions. If you are interested in having your item(s) reviewed, please contact me HERE. I look forward to helping you gain great exposure and a ton of new fans!

My home consists of a 37 year old female (myself) and a 6 year old female.  I also have a 14 year old niece and a 16 year old niece who are available for teen items.  I also babysit an infant and toddler. 

I am a member of the Amazon Vine Review Team.  My reviews are honest, thorough, and well written.

.::Review::. nomorerack

After being downsized from my job, I learned how to be frugal. I love to shop, and I love to have nice things, just like everyone else! I am so glad I found daily deal sites, especially nomorerack! I can shop in the comfort of my own home. I can even shop in my pajamas if I wish! 

I have always received great customer service from nomorerack. If you check out nomorerack reviews, you may see some complaints about slow shipping. If you shop daily deal sites at all, you know the prices are lower because items are not stored in a big warehouse. That means shipping takes a little bit longer. However, the awesome price difference more than makes up for the slightly slower shipping.

Before shopping on nomorerack, I did a quick search on Google for nomorerack scam. Some people who have not yet tried nomorerack believe that with prices this low, it must be a scam. I have both ordered items that I paid for, and received items at no charge from their friend rack referral program. Friendrack keep track of your friends who sign up for nomorerack. Once you have as few as 12 friends, you can turn those referrals into free items like electronics, video game consoles, jewelry, an iMac, and so much more! 

If you want high quality items at sample sale prices, you definitely want to check out nomorerack! Every day at noon, new items are put up until they sell out, or until the following day at noon. Throughout the day, Insanity Deals could appear! These are extremely limited quantities of items with INSANELY low prices! They have had an Apple iPad for $43.20 and a Playstation 3 for $26.54. Those LOW prices is why they are called Insanity Deals!

I highly recommend nomorerack to my friends, families, and readers. I am confident you will be pleased with their products and customer service. Make sure you keep an eye out for their Insanity Deals! I’ve got my eye on an iPad! You’ll want to visit them every day to see the newest batch of low priced deals!

.::Review & Giveaway::. Purex Triple Action Formula Detergent

I was pleasantly surprised with the new Triple Action Purex detergent! My whites remained BRIGHT WHITE and the stain removal is very impressive! With a ninja fast kindergartener in the house, who never sits still, the laundry contains a LOT of stains.

Purex sent me the Mountain Breeze scent, which I love.  They also have a Free & Clear formula.  Purex is committed to bringing consumers a great product at a great value.  Pure Triple Action formula is an even better clean for half the price of the leading brand! 

Purex Triple Action, like all Purex detergents, is formulated to work in High Efficiency (HE) as well as traditional machines.   

Purex would like for one of my lucky readers to try the new Triple Action Formula for FREE!

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.::Review & Giveaway::. SodaStream Fountain Jet Soda Lover's Start-Up Kit

I would find life very difficult if I had to give up my diet cola!  I drink a minimum of a 12 pack of diet cola per day.  Plus if I'm out and about, I stop and get a fountain diet cola.  I love fountain pop! I do realize and fully admit my ridiculous addiction to diet cola.  

I recycle my mountain of cans weekly, but still feel guilty about how many there are.  I no longer have to worry!

SodaStream sent me the Fountain Jet Soda Lover's Start-Up Kit along with a selection of their soda mixes and a nice variety of flavored water drops. I am delighted to report that SodaStream's Zero Cola tastes fantastic! It is a nice, crisp, fresh taste and is very similar to the major Diet Cola brands! Yum! I also love the Diet Lemon Lime, Diet Ginger Ale and the Diet Cranberry Raspberry.  The Diet Green Tea Pomegranate Peach was surprisingly good!  I don't normally care for Pink Grapefruit or Root Beer, so I don't feel I can accurately judge those flavors.  

Since I cannot have sugar, my picky teenage nieces and their friends were the critics for the regular flavors.  You'll be happy to know that the regular Cola  was enjoyed by several teenagers!  

I was nervous about operating the SodaStream Genesis Machine.  I had flashbacks to the days of being a restaurant manager and having to mess with the fountain pop machines.  My worries were unfounded!  This is so easy, that my 5 year old even uses it! The process consists of pouring cold water into the bottle, pressing the button on the top in order to carbonate the water and then adding your flavor choice.  Shake, serve, and sip!   

If you currently buy 2 liter bottles of your favorite pop (or soda depending on where you live), you won't see a huge savings by using SodaStream.  However, if you're like me and prefer the freshest drink possible and purchase cans, you WILL save a significant amount of money!  

Now, for the fun part!  SodaStream wants one of my readers to WIN a FREE machine!  

The giveaway will include:

Fountain Jet Soda Lover's Start-Up Kit, valued at $99.95. It includes:

• Fountain Jet – winner’s choice of color (black/silver, red/silver or white)
• 1 carbonating bottle, reusable for up to 3 years
• Reusable carbonator to fizz up to 60L of soda
• Variety 6-pack of popular sample-size flavors
• 3 full-sized flavors of the winner’s choice

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.::Review & Giveaway::. Pretend & Play® Supermarket Set

When this Pretend & Play® Supermarket Set from Learning Resources arrived for me to review, I did the ultimate in penny pinching.  It was so adorable, I couldn't resist wrapping it up and putting it under the tree.  I knew it would be one of my daughter's favorite gifts, and I wanted to surprise her with it on Christmas morning! I was right!  She absolutely loves it. 

This set has everything necessary for a child to run their own pretend store!  There are 93 pieces!  We love the durable apron with name tag!  The shopping basket, groceries, dry-erasable sale signs, pretend coins, money, credit card and shopping list make it so much fun.  Of course, my favorite pieces are the pretend coupons! This set has been played with daily since Christmas.  Sometimes, I even let my daughter play with the coupons!

I use this set as a teaching tool as well as just plain fun!  By assigning everything a price (right now everything is $1 since my daughter is in Kindergarten), my daughter is learning simple addition and subtraction when it is time to check out.  When she wants 6 items, but only has $5, she learns to budget by using coupons or putting items back.  The lessons can increase in difficulty as she matures.  The possibilities are endless!

NOW FOR THE FUN PART!  Learning Resources wants one of my readers to WIN a Pretend & Play® Supermarket Set of their own!  If you just can't wait to get your own, visit Learning Resources or Amazon and get yours today!

 

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Prior to becoming a Purex Insider, I was strictly a Tide girl. My mom always used Tide, so it's the only detergent I trusted. I reluctantly tried Triple Action Purex. I admit it, Purex is even better than Tide! (It's cheaper, too!) My daughter's brightly colored clothes are still BRIGHT! The blacks are still black, and my very important whites are super white. There is nothing I hate more than yellowed whites. Triple Action Purex cleans like a dream, and the Mountain Breeze scent is A-MA-ZING!

Laundry is one thing I will not skimp on. I won't pinch my pennies by buying a no-name detergent, because I want my daughter's clothes to look their best. Thank you, Purex, for making an affordable, and effective detergent!

My name is Polly, and Purex is my new love.

.::Review & Giveaway::. GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™

From the Manufacturer:

The perfect first microscope! Great for introducing scientific observation.

 

-Features a dial children can turn to listen to fun facts about what they’re seeing on the slides
-Challenges children to remember what they’ve learned in an electronic quiz game
-Includes 12 prepared slides of common insects
-Magnifies 5x and provides a light for easy, close-up viewing
-Requires 3 C batteries, not included
-Grades K+

Polly's View:

My 5 year old absolutely adores this microscope from Educational Insights.  I'm a proud Science nerd, and I hope she grows to love Science as much as I do.  I leave this microscope down on a lower shelf in her playroom so she can access it as she pleases.  She loves to listen to the bug facts and take the quizzes.  

The slides are separate from the microscope, so you have to make sure you supervise your child when he/she cleans up so that slides don't go missing.  I do hope they expand beyond just the 12 slides that come with the miscrope.  My daughter loves the bugs, but we'd love to further our exploration with other slides as well!  Also, in case some slides are misplaced, I'd like knowing I can order replacements.

Don't let the lightweight feel of the microscope fool you!  It is very well made. It is made for 5 year olds by a company who knows 5 year olds!

I love that even if the batteries are dead, you can still use the microscope.  You won't have light or voice, but you can still use the magnifier.

You can purchase your own GeoSafari® Jr. Talking Microscope™ on Educational Insights for $39.99 or on Amazon for $25.08. You can enter to WIN one below from Educational Insights!

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*Educational Insights provided me with the item free of charge, but this is my honest opinion.

.::Review & Giveaway::. GeoSafari® Talking Electron Microscope™

From the Manufacturer: 
View more than 180 amazing, up-close images with the Talking Electron Microscope. Zoom in and out and hear 5 fun facts about each image in Learning Mode—then switch to Quiz Mode and test your knowledge. Images include the human body, viruses and bacteria, plants, animals and other “stuff.” Grades 3+/Ages 8+. 60 amazing subjects with 2–3 zoomed images of each and 300 fun facts. Crystal clear high resolution LCD screen. 2 modes—Learning and Quiz. Requires 3 C batteries (not included). 

Polly's Thoughts:

I love science! I always have. I was very excited to get the chance to review this GeoSafari® Talking Electron Microscope™ from Educational Insights, and am very happy with the microscope!  The biggest plus is that there are no loose pieces.  The information and the slides are built right into the microscope!  Convenient, huh? The microscope's voice is very clear and easy to understand.  There are 180 images and 300 facts, which will keep a child (or a grown up) interested for a long time!  I love doing the quiz method and seeing who can get the most right!  

The microscope is lightweight.  Since I often have a house full of younger kids, I keep this high up on a shelf.  Being lightweight make it easy to pull out when we're ready to use it.  It also has volume control, which is ALWAYS a plus.


GIVEAWAY:
Educational Insights is giving one lucky Penny Pinching Polly reader their own FREE GeoSafari® Talking Electron Microscope™! Just fill out the form below for your chance to own your very own GeoSafari® Talking Electron Microscope™!


If you don't win, you can buy your own GeoSafari® Talking Electron Microscope™ on Amazon for just $54.99!

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*Educational Insights provided me with this item free of charge.  I gave my honest opinion of the item.

.::FREEBIE::. Review Opportunity: Online Fitness Class

I need some assistance in giving constructive criticism for an online workout. The music and workout are GREAT, I already know that. The kinks of lighting, video quality, etc. are still being worked out. Please LIKE the fan page of Always Believe Fitness and join us! Whether you just watch the video while you're cooking, or join in the fun, we'd love your feedback. Feedback should be emailed to smlis@rocketmail.com!

The video will just show a "rainbow" until it goes live at 7pm EST tonight! It will be 60 minutes of a fabulous workout!

.::Review & Giveaway::. Laundry Jumble Game

This is an adorable game from Educational Insights! My 5 year old and I love to play it. Her friends run to it when they come over. Our favorite part of the game is when we pull the sock out of the dryer. My daughter immediately plugs her nose and says "EWW! SMELLY SOCK!" and the giggling commences!

The game comes with 11 items of doll sized clothes (washable), 30 games featuring full-color illustrations , and a fabric dryer. Dryer measures 8" x 6.5" x 10" The player takes a card, reaches in the dryer and tries to find the correct piece of clothing depicted on the card. No peeking allowed! You have to use only your sense of touch. If you pull out the right item of clothing, you keep your card. Get it wrong & the card goes to the bottom of the pile.  


Laundry Jumble Game is on sale right now for $16.83 with free shipping! 

Specs: 

Focuses on touch as game play encourages children to match picture cards with articles of clothing they feel inside the dryer

Encourages tactile exploration, fine motor skills, and counting

Builds vocabulary as students name animals and clothing

Grades PreK+

Does this game interest you? Enter below to win one!  

I received this item free from Educational Insights.  My review is my honest opinion of the product.

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