Out on DVD! Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

My girls like to watch movies. A lot.

Although I do my best to limit "screen time" - there's nothing quite like sitting down together for family movie nights. Have a 5 and 2 year old, the movie is more than likely going to be animated.

We were lucky enough to snag an advance copy of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel for our most recent movie night. I have to admit, I never saw the first one so I can't compare this one to that one but I do however remember watching the Chipmunks on Saturday mornings when I was a little girl. - Needless to say I was excited to have a little trip down memory lane.

As far as kids movies go, it was really cute. My girls LOVED it, which I'm not surprised at all. Ever since movie night, they've asked me to pop it in every day. Before I wrote this review, I asked my 5 year old what her favorite part was - her response: "All the singing and dancing". She also really likes The Chipettes...Eleanor, Jeanette and Brittany, and I'll admit, they are pretty much adorable.

The Synopses for the movie (with no spoilers) is basically a concert mishap lands Dave (the Chipmunks dad) in the hospital. The Chipmunks take a break from their superstardom and enroll in school to fit in with kids their age. Then the Chipmunks enter a competition in order to save the schools music department. They meet the Chipettes - the competition heats up, and.... you will have to watch the rest of the movie to find out how it ends! (sorry)

The music in the movie is pretty fun, assuming you can stand listening to it in falsetto voices! FYI - There is a bit of mild rude humor, so use your best parental judgment before your kids see it.

GET YOUR OWN! Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is being released March 30th and you can pre-order yourself a copy from Amazon. After the March 30 date - I'm assuming it will be sold everywhere!

WIN IT! We have three (3!) copies to give away to Simple readers! To enter, leave us a thoughtful comment letting us know why you want to win.

Extra entries (leave a separate copy for each):

• Follow @SimpleReviews on Twitter.
  
• Tweet this giveaway: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel comes out March 30th. Enter to win a copy over at @SimpleReviews
  
• Become a fan (or already be a fan) of SIMPLE on Facebook
• Become a fan of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel on Facebook

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced March 30, 2010.

Simply putting together a Banquet for your Baby!

Make your feeding time easier with Baby Banquet! One reason I love this product is because I can divide out generous portions for on the go. It makes life simple...when sometimes simple just isn't available! Just fill up the cups and you are good to go! This holder has many great uses. Here are a few:

*It can hold 3 jars of baby food at one time. I think that is great because at meal times with my baby we never only feed one item.
*Great for holding three different forms of snacks - cheerios, puffs, dehydrated fruits, etc.
*It has a handy holder that makes it much easier to hold - no more worries about the food slipping out and onto the ground or the baby!
*This is great for on the go traveling - again, just fill it up and go and then pull it out when your baby needs to eat! A great portioned meal at your fingertips while you are away from home.

*Click HERE to read about more uses.

By the way, the insert is microwavable as well - perfect for those days that you prepare food ahead of time if a babysitter is coming over. I just had her take the Baby Banquet out of the fridge and pop it in the microwave. Simple!

This product is BPA Free too! That is so great especially since there is direct contact with the food my kids are eating!

Baby Banquet was featured in Parents magazine (Feb 2010 issue) and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine (Feb 2010 issue). They have also been recently awarded the iParenting Media Award for 2009.

GET YOUR OWN! Head on over to Baby Banquet to purchase your own food holder ($14.99) for that special baby in your life! You will not be disappointed!

*I was provided with the sample mentioned in this review free of charge, as well as the giveaways.*

Pampers Winner Announced!!

Congratulations to #7 - Diana - You have won the designer Liz Lange diaper clutch as well as a week's supply of the new Pampers Cruisers (in coupon form).

I will get in touch with you via the email address provided in your winning comment...but feel free to contact me if you read this before I can get in touch with you. (If I don't receive a response within a week, a new winner will be chosen).

Grow REAL grass for your little one's Easter basket!

What a great idea! Instead of having that plastic, fake grass (that only the Lord knows what the ingredients are), let's have REAL grass instead in our Easter baskets this year! My husband ran across this product and company at the New York Toy Fair and came home with business card in hand. I couldn't wait to share this great idea with you all!

It is such a simple process too. All you have to get, that is not included in the Easter Grass Kit, is a basket...the rest is all set up for you. You have enough contents in each package to make 2 medium sized baskets.

While you are checking out the Easter Grass Kit, check out the other product they feature...the Sandy Feet Casting Kit. By clicking on the link you can watch a video about it. This was actually their first product! I plan on purchasing two of these this year to "capture" the size of my girls' feet. I think this will be a very fun tradition to start yearly...

Become a fan on Facebook of this company by clicking HERE!

GET YOUR OWN! Click HERE to find out where you can purchase this great product! There are many websites attached to the participating retailers in case you don't live close to a store that sells this!

WIN YOUR OWN!! SIMPLE is giving away one Easter Grass Kit to a lucky SIMPLE reader! Head on over to their site and tell us which product you like! Read below on other ways you can enter this giveaway. Be sure to leave your email address...you can't be contacted as a winner if we don't have your email address!

Extra Entries: (leave separate comment for each)

• Blog this giveaway linking back to SIMPLE and Spots and Ladybugs
  
• Tweet this giveaway: Just in time for Easter. Enter to win a Easter grass kit over at @simplereviews http://tinyurl.com/yhuy9g9
  
• Become a new fan of SIMPLE on Facebook
• Become a fan of the The Sandy Feet Casting Kit on Facebook (Click HERE)
• Invite your friends on Facebook to become a fan of SIMPLE. Click on the "Suggest to Friends" tab under SIMPLE's profile picture when you are on the SIMPLE Facebook Page. Come back here telling us how many of your friends you invited!! (this will be one entry into the contest - just put a comment stating how many friends you invited) :)
  

Winner will be randomly selected and announced March 19, 2010. Good Luck!

*I was provided with the sample mentioned in this review free of charge, as well as the giveaways.*

Buckle up that Easter Basket!

I have the perfect gift for your kids' Easter baskets this year! And even better, this gift is NOT filled with sugar!! It is an educational, fluffy stuffed animal that is covered in buckles!! This is not your average stuffed animal!

I love this toy! It is a wonderful, cuddly toy that my daughter has been walking around with non stop. This BuckleyBunny is now going with us everywhere. The cool thing about it though, is my daughter will just take a break from playing and start working on the buckles. I can just see her brain working - she is trying to get her hands figured out so she can do the buckles. Not all the buckles are the same as you can see in the picture. The excitement that exudes her when she accomplishes a new buckle is priceless.

One other thing I like about the BuckleyBoo is that after my daughter gets all the buckles unbuckled, she has to put them back together. This starts by matching the ribbons that go with each buckle. So, yet another learning experience! Click HERE to see for yourself how this works...this is a great video that shows how this toy can benefit kids as young as 15 months old!

Click HERE to head on over and see the awards this has won, what press articles have been written as well as testimonials.


















Become a fan on Facebook of BuckleyBoo by clicking HERE!

GET YOUR OWN!! Head on over to BuckleyBoo today and take a look around. There are so many animals to choose from if you are not interested in the adorable bunny. You can get a 12" ($19.99) or 17" animal ($29.99) in most all the other animals. Do a little shopping of your own and use the coupon code SMPLE15 to get 15% off your order! This does not include gift wrapping and shipping. Offer is good from today through April 1st.

*I was provided with the sample mentioned in this review free of charge.*

Micralite Toro Stroller with Rider Attachment

A few months ago we featured the Micralite Toro Stroller with the All Terrain Kit. You can read the full review here. Recently Micralite introduced a new accessory for the Toro stroller called the Rider. The Rider is a boogie board attachment for your older child to stand on, and if you ask me, its PURE GENIUS! The Toro Rider also comes with Multi-Position handles that extend out so you're not reaching over your older child to be able to push the stroller.











This entire stroller and accessories is by far the easiest and most convenient option for my family! I have an infant that needs to ride in the stroller, and a toddler that likes the freedom of walking on his own, but riding when he wants. He thinks riding on the back is the coolest thing ever! And I love that it is still incredibly easy to maneuver.

When my toddler isn't on the Rider, it folds up and easily attaches to the back of the stroller. Then easily comes back down again when he's ready to hop on. The entire stroller folds up more compact than expected! It easily fits in the back of my car.

GET YOUR OWN!! The Micralite Toro stroller, Rider, Multi-position handles and more can be purchased through the Micralite website. The Rider, which comes with the Multi-position handles sells separately from the stroller for $120.00.

Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event and Giveaway

Whose pantry doesn't need some stocking up??? Mine totally does!!!

The rest of the week and weekend is the final days of Kroger and the Kroger Family of Stores Cart Buster Savings Event. It's a great time to check out their advertised specials on many brand names such as Honey Nut Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Pillsbury, Yoplait, Progresso, Green Giant, Cascadian Farm, Tide, Charmin, Bounty, Pampers, Pantene, Crest, Iams, Febreze, Old Spice... you get the point!!!

I love that the sale is on products that we use daily at my house!!! And I plan on taking a trip to the store to see what we can stock up on during the sale. I also found some of this week's deals posted on Southern Savers or BeCentsAble(organized by state and store)

Find your store HERE!!

WIN YOUR OWN!! MyBlogSpark would love for a SIMPLE reader to use a $25 Gift Card when they take part in some of the upcoming sales at their local Kroger Family Store!!! In a comment, leave what you hope to stock up on or what you HAVE stocked up on at the Cart Buster Savings Event already and your email address.

For additional entries: (comment once for each entry)
* Blog about this giveaway linking back to SIMPLE
* Tweet this giveaway: Need Groceries? $25 GC to Kroger over at @simplereviews Just leave comment to enter to win! #contest http://tinyurl.com/ydof5g9
* Become a new follower of SIMPLE
* Become a Facebook fan of SIMPLE

Winner will be randomly selected and announced 3/18/10.




**The Kroger Family of Stores gift card, information, and giveaway are all provided by the Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills through MyBlogSpark... thank you!

Getting Ready for Outdoor Fun

In preparation for all the summertime activities we're so looking forward to, we headed to Dick's Sporting Goods the other day. OH, THE FUN TO BE HAD THERE. One of my fave areas is the tailgating section in the store. There are so many fun travel-type games that we can pack up and take camping with us. But Dick's carries so much more. They have golfing supplies, baseball and basketball gear, things for soccer and tennis, and any other activity that you'd care to participate in.

And here's where I want to help YOU get excited about Spring as well. Dick's is generously offering one reader a $50 gift card. Think of the possibilities! In addition, Dick's is offering a unique sort of contest that they're opening up to Simple readers. On the Dick's Twitter page, you can enter to be a part of the Starting Lineup. If you're chosen, you will try out and preview new products before Dick's carries them in the store. To enter the contest, simply follow Dick's Sporting Goods on Twitter, and tweet that you'd like to nominate yourself to be in the starting lineup. (It might go something like this: “@dickssportcmo I nominate @(TwitterID) for the #startinglineup because...”)

WIN YOUR OWN: To be entered to win the $50 gift card, simply leave a comment here on what you would use it for.

To enter the Starting Lineup, follow the above direction over on Twitter.

The winner of the gift card will be chosen Wednesday, March 17. The Starting Lineup contest ends March 31. Dick's Sporting Goods will announce a winner on Twitter.

Skip into Spring with a pair of UMI

It's coming. Spring is slowly creeping in and I couldn't be more ecstatic. I'm not sure where you're from, but it's been a long, cold winter! I cannot wait for playing in the backyard, skipping down the street, and picnics in the park.

This spring, our tiny toes will be wearing none other than a cute pair of UMI. We've told you how we love them for Fall, we've raved about how playground tough they are, but oh how adorable they are for the warm weather of spring!

What's our favorite pair? My daughter will be wearing skipping around in a chocolate colored pair of barroca's ($65). I love them because they are super sturdy and won't fly off her feet when she's playing. I adore that you can see her little toes peaking out. And oh boy, how could I forget the boys! I am over the moon excited about the cool kid style of the Trek ($60) and the Coronado ($60).

It's true - yes you could could find cheaper shoes. But in the case of UMI - you get what you pay for. UMI shoes are made from high quality nappa and nubuck leather. Each and every pair of UMI's goes through 20 quality control checks. I guess you could say they take covering little feet very serious!

Want more UMI? Become a fan of theirs on Facebook and sign up for their UMIfriends program!

GET A PAIR (with a coupon)! Right now, UMI is having a special deal for the readers of Simple! Enter DM323 to receive 10% off your total order! (discount code good through March 23rd, 2010).

Life Verse Design - Beautiful Art!

The woman who creates these beautiful pieces of art is a fun mom of 3! Her kids are actually spread apart very similar to my own. With kids 6.5, 4.5 and 2.5 this artist discovered with a simple piece of scripture she had written on a note card... that she could take those "plain note cards" and make them beautiful!

When her youngest was just 6 weeks old she did her 1st craft show and almost sold out! She is now on Etsy and Demdaco discovered her work. She is now being licensed by them internationally.

I could go on and on about her work.. but it really does speak for itself.

Her creations are just stunning!!!
As a professional photographer myself I appreciate photography and the art behind it... but to take photography and turn it into even more is a beautiful talent. It takes a natural gift and this ladies got it!

GET YOUR OWN: Framed or not, there is a great variety of prints available on Life Verse Design. Not just geared towards us moms :) There are some great designs that I think husbands would love in their office and more.

You can also check out Life Verse Design on Blogger!

A SIMPLE COUPON: At checkout leave the note to the seller "SIMPLE" and you will get a FREE GIFT with any purchase :)

WIN YOUR OWN: I get to giveaway an 8x10 to one of you! Winners choice! Can be any 8x10 in the store.

So to enter comment letting me know which 8x10 you would like if you did win.

For additional entries: (comment once for each entry)

* Blog about this giveaway linking back to SIMPLE and Life Verse Design.
* Tweet this giveaway
* Become a new follower of SIMPLE
* Become a Facebook fan of SIMPLE

Winner will be randomly selected and announced 3/16/10.