The Full Mommy

Gimme the Jimmies!

2010-03-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

I'll admit that I don't typically like traditional children's music. I'm not a fan of the sappy, sweet stuff. I like a little edge with it! I mean, if it's not a song I wouldn't crank up in the car or jump around in the living room to, why would I cultivate a love of it in my kids.

(Caveat, my daughter did go through a Raffi phase when she was 2, and I did enjoy listening to him with her. Who doesn't like "Five Little Ducks." But I'm more of a Ralph's World fan.)

I'm always looking for new, edgy kids' music and I have found a new group to crank up and have a dance party to: The Jimmies.

Have you heard of them? They've actually been around for a while; their first CD Make Your Own Someday was released in 2007, but they have a new DVD called Trying Funny Stuff.

The Trying Funny Stuff DVD features quirky music videos of many of their songs as well as live performances. When I put it on, I can tell you my kids don't quietly sit on the couch watching. They get up and jump, dance, stomp, and run circles.

They rock it out!

I think my daughter's favorite song is "It's Cool to be Uncool." I only say that because it's the one that she sings for the rest of the day after hearing it.

I asked my husband how he would describe The Jimmies. Was it punk for the preschool set? He said, no, more like No Doubt for kids. We decided if you have to categorize it, it's alternative or Indy.

Whatever you call it, it's good!

Don't take my word for it, see for yourself:

Become a fan of The Jimmies on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, see more videos on YouTube and of course visit The Jimmies website.

Purchase Make Your Own Someday and Trying Funny Stuff on Amazon and from other places that sell CD's and DVD's like Barnes and Noble, or shop directly from The Jimmies website.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. The Jimmies sent me the CD and DVD to enjoy with my children.

Care.com Free Weekend

2010-03-18T16:00:00.000-04:00

Do you like to try before you buy?

Care.com is allowing people to use their service for free this weekend.

Looking for a babysitter? Pet sitter? Or even a tutor, housekeeper, or elder care provider?

Click on the Care.com image and when you enter your zip code, you can find providers in your area.

(From the company:) The Free Weekend begins at midnight (PDT) on the morning of Friday, March 19th and extends through Sunday, March 21. During these 3 days, Care.com will waive its regular subscription fee and allow all care-seeking families full access to hundreds of thousands of high-quality babysitters, nannies, and other caregivers for free. Every visitor to Care.com during the Free Weekend will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of paid, premium membership for FREE: post jobs, review mom-reviewed profiles of caregivers in their area, contact care providers to schedule interviews, check references and run a free background check.

I haven't personally used Care.com, but I am in desperate need of a babysitter. I think I'll check out their site this weekend.

Have you used Care.com to find a service provider? Let us know what you thought in the comments below.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Nowali Moccasins

2010-03-18T06:00:00.003-04:00

As much as I'd like to think that spring has sprung, nights are still pretty chilly in our parts. We're still bundling up after sun goes down and will be for quite a while.

That means we're still wearing socks and slippers and warm PJ's each night.

If you still need a few items to keep your kids warm, check out the new styles of Swedish moccasins from Nowali. The new styles are bright and fun and inspired by spring, yet warm and toasty for chilly nights.

The four new styles, $26.95 each, available this spring have all the features that make Nowali moccasins great: double elastic ankles, non-slip soles, and you can even throw them in the washing machine!

The four new styles are:

Dots & Stripes- Sizes 6M-2Y (Available in Pink or Red)
Frogs-Sizes 6M-2Y (Available in Blue or Brown)
Sailboat-Sizes 6M-2Y
Spring Flowers-Sizes 6M-4Y

These include styles that are decidedly boyish and definitely girly. And some in between.

Nowali sent my daughter a pair of moccasins so we could get a feel for the quality and fit. I ordered according to her age and they fit nicely, in fact I think they will fit for a while, even into next winter.

We have hard wood floors that are incredibly slippery in socks. The moccasins were not slippery and even kept her from slipping during an impromptu dance party and chasing her little brother.

Two features I particularly appreciate are the standards that make them eco-friendly and that they can be thrown in the washing machine. Oh, and they are stripey and cute! I love stripey things on little girls.

(From the company:) Each traditional Swedish moccasin is hand-stitched, and made with yarn and foxing materials that meet the Öko-Tex Standard 100, an ‘eco’ standard which ensures they contain no harmful dyes or substances. Parents have turned to Nowali for their high-quality moccasins for the past 60 years. All moccasins come with a double elastic ankle, so they actually stay put and can’t be kicked off. Each moccasin also comes with a non-skid sole, which is especially important for little ones learning to walk, or for children walking on wood or slippery surfaces.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: Nowali
Prize: One pair of Nowali moccasins, choice of the four new styles
Number of Winners: One (US only)
Entry Question: Visit the Nowali website and tell us what your favorite style is (not including Dots & Stripes, Frogs, Sailboat, or Spring Flowers.)
Enter By: March 25, 2010
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Nowali sent me a pair of moccasins for the purpose of this review.

Tweeting 'Bout the Palm Pre Plus

2010-03-17T12:00:00.003-04:00

You've been reading about my experience over the last month with the Verizon Palm Pre Plus phone.

You Oughta Be in Pictures
Social Networking for Us Social Moms
Staying Connected Even at the Coffee Shop
The 3G Smartphone Smart Enough for Mom

Here's your chance to chat it up during a Twitter party tonight with several moms who also have been using this phone.

Head over to Technology for Mommies for the details, the time, and the hashtag.

And if you want to get your hands on one, they are giving one away!

Have fun & good luck!

Super Circles Card Game

2010-03-16T05:24:00.003-04:00

I was sent a travel tin containing Super Circles, an easy to learn and fun to play card game. The game consists of 73 cards featuring colorful concentric circles as pictured here.

Super Circles is somewhat reminiscent of Uno, in that cards are piled down, but in this case, players match up colored circles. As you see in the illustration, a card with a pink "3" circle is put on another card with a pink "3" circle, followed by a match-up of blue "2" and then lastly, pink "1." It's a race to see which player can discard her cards first. Watch quick demo game.

It's not rocket science, but it does take a bit of concentration to stay on track. And based on my family's experience, there is a learning curve, as each person develops strategies after a round or two.

The game is suitable for 2-4 players and takes about five to ten minutes per game. It's advertised for ages 8 and up, though if you are wiling to slow down the pace, it can be suitable for younger children.

It's a portable game that is well suited for family travel. Super Circles could help pass time in, say, an airport, or even at the beach.

We noticed that the coating on our cards gave off an unpleasant odor when we first unwrapped the deck. You may need to air the cards out before you being game play.

Super Circles retails for $9.99. You can order Super Circles online or check the Out of the Box Games website to find a retailer.

Written by Kim Moldofsky who muses on parenting, education ad whatever else floats her boat at Hormone-colored Days and writes about marketing with mombloggers at MomImpact.com

Please read our disclosure statement.

Nick Presents Storytime Live!

2010-03-15T06:00:00.015-04:00

photo credit: Carol Rosegg

My daughter loves going to see live performances that include her favorite characters. I think one of the absolute best shows we had seen so far was the Backyardigans. Of course we've been to just about every offering geared towards kids in the last three or four years that has come to our local venue.

Your kids have no doubt seen the commercials for Nickelodeon presents Storytime Live!

Recently, we received four tickets for my husband and I to take our two kids to see Nick Presents Storytime Live!

The emcees for the evening are none other than Moose and Zee (my daughter asked for a Moose and Zee stuffed animal as a souvenir and I gave in and purchased it for her). The show features a combination of actors in costumes and puppets.

The show is an hour and a half and that includes a 15 minute intermission.

I could tell you what I liked (I liked that my kids enjoyed it), but the best commentary probably comes from my kids. Here are a few quotes about the show from my five-year-old:

"The bubbles and confetti were great because it looked like a fiesta. And it was a fiesta because Moose and Zee and all the characters were dancing around on the stage and they were singing 'Put Your Hands Up' and I started dancing with them."

"I liked that the Wonder Pets went down the hole (a la Alice in Wonderland)."

"I liked that Dora brought a moonbeam to the king and queen."

If you have a preschooler or child in the early grades, they will surely find their favorite characters in the four stories presented in the show (from their website):

Ni Hao, Kai-lan
"Kai-lan and her friends meet their favorite superhero, The Monkey King, and agree to help bring all the pandas to his Panda Party. Join the happy celebration at the Monkey King’s castle."

The Backyardigans
"Mayor Stinkypants (Austin) has forced the dirty townspeople (Tasha, Tyrone and Uniqua) to take part in the annual Festival of Dirt. Journey through Purewood Forest, as Robin Hood the Clean (Pablo) helps clean up the village of Filthingham."

Wonder Pets
"What’s gonna work? TEAMWORK! Hop into Wonderland with Wonder Pets, as they gather Ollie, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and The Queen of Hearts for a special celebration."

Dora the Explorer
"A witch has placed Boots under a sleeping spell that can only be broken by a true princess. Leap into Fairytale Land with Dora as she magically turns into a princess and saves Boots from the sleeping spell."

photo credit: Carol Rosegg

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Our local venue and the production company provided our family with tickets to the show.

Animal Crackers iPhone App

2010-03-10T06:00:00.011-05:00

I am amazed that at two and five, my children know how to operate my iPhone. They love flipping through the photos and watching videos of themselves. And they love playing games.

We've had a few times that we've been stuck at the doctor's office or in a long line and I have handed a kid my phone to keep him or her occupied playing games.

Last Legion Games let us try out two of their apps which are games for kids. Both are available from iTunes for your iPhone.

MY NAME
MY NAME is a spelling game. You can enter up to four names and children spell each name by choosing the letters in the right order. When they spell the name correctly, the get a cookie added to their cookie jar as a reward.

Features (from the company):

Teaches both spelling and letter recognition with colorful letters and animated animal characters.
Allows parents to enter up to four different names from which kids can choose. Enter a child’s first name, a middle name, and/or a last name. Enter family members’ or caretakers’ names. There are endless possibilities!
Enter a name in ALL CAPS, all lowercase or both, allowing kids to learn spellings with lowercase and uppercase letters.
Names can be added, deleted or edited as you please.

Purchase the My Name app on iTunes for $0.99.

HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES & TOES
This game uses the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" to engage kids. It includes four mini-games: Song, Tap Along, Puzzle and Tickles.

Features (from the company):

Features the popular children’s song HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES & TOES.
HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES & TOES stars an adorable lion who teaches preschoolers parts of the body such as head, eyes, arms, toes, and more.
Vivid, colorful text helps teach kids word recognition.
Features an interactive reward screen.

Purchase the Head Shoulders Knees and Toes app on iTunes for $0.99.

My Verdict
For 99 cents apiece, you may think it is worth the money to keep your kids occupied while waiting in lines or for an appointment. I have an entire screen of apps for my kids and my two-year-old often chooses these two games.

The 2yo can't spell the names, but he likes touching and naming the letters. Who knows, maybe this will help teach him to spell our family members' names. My five-year-old can spell our names and is learning to read. We change out the saved names. You could easily add spelling words that your child is working on. For the preschool set, four choices may be enough to keep them occupied, but perhaps the app will be updated to include a larger number of names/words.

The Head Shoulders Knees & Toes game has enough variation with the mini games that both kids can be engaged for quite while. The 2yo is doing a pretty good job of touching each of the body parts when prompted.

I think my 2yo thinks the phone is his! I'll look over and he's taken my phone off the counter and has seated himself at the table, flicked over to the kids' game screen, and begins playing.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. The company provided me with codes to download these games at no charge to me.

Easter New Releases! The First Easter Rabbit: Deluxe Edition and Bugs Bunny’s Easter Funnies

2010-03-09T00:01:00.002-05:00

There can only be so much chocolate that any child needs in their Easter basket, am I right? Well, they don't think so, I'm sure. But moms and dads will likely agree. An Easter basket would be the perfect place to slip one of these new DVD releases featuring a couple of funny bunnies.

Warner Home Video (WHV) has released classic Easter specials The First Easter Rabbit: Deluxe Edition and Bugs Bunny’s Easter Funnies on DVD for the first time.

The First Easter Rabbit Deluxe Edition is narrated by Academy Award winner Burl Ives. It is a holiday classic that tells the story of the origin of the first Easter Bunny. Stuffy is a plush rabbit given to a young girl. He is brought to life by a fairy and is sent to Easter Valley, where it’s always spring. In Easter Valley, Stuffy hopes to bring the first-ever basket of Easter goodies to its children. Stuffy runs into trouble, but in the end, arrives at a "hoppy"ending.

The First Easter Rabbit: Deluxe Edition is fully re-mastered for a more modern look. Special features include an all-new interactive puzzle game.

On to a rabbit that needs no introduction- Bugs Bunny! Bugs Bunny’s Easter Funnies is the animated Easter special that features a star-studded lineup of all-time favorite Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, Granny, Pepe Le Pew, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam and Daffy Duck.

In Bugs Bunny’s Easter Funnies, Granny tries to recruit a substitute for the Easter Bunny when he falls ill. Someone has to help deliver Easter baskets and so Bugs Bunny and his pals all volunteer and audition for the job. Aside from the special, the DVD will also include a bonus short titled His Hare Raising Tale and three menu-based puzzle games.

I think it's cool to be able to sit with my boys and share a cartoon that was around back in olden days when I was young. Both are available now.

Suggested Retail Price for both DVDs: $14.97. My copies were free. Thanks WHV!

This was written by AmyJo who can be read at Binkytowne.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Verizon Palm Pre Plus: You Oughta Be in Pictures

2010-03-08T00:00:00.019-05:00

Last week I told you that making phone calls is only a small percentage of what I've been doing with my Palm Pre Plus that Verizon is letting me test drive.

This week I have two more reasons that this phone makes mommy multi-tasking possible.

Camera
Us moms like to capture memories, but if you are like me you have enough stuff to lug around and the big camera usually stays at home.

The Palm Pre Plus phone comes equipped with a 3 megapixel camera to catch those kids whenever and wherever they do something picture-worthy. (Just being cute is reason enough to snap a photo!)

When you slide the phone open, it reveals a mirror on the upper fourth of the back side of the phone. I have heard other moms say it's great for applying lipstick. Since I don't wear lipstick daily, I'll tell you why I think the mirror is good.

Sometimes when I take photos of my monkey children, they look everywhere but at the camera lens. Or my son wants to come around to my side of the camera so he can see what's on the screen. With my point-and-shoot, I hold up two fingers near the lens and tell them to look at my fingers.

With the Palm Pre Plus, I had the bright idea to tell them to look at themselves in the mirror!

Needless to say not only did they look toward the camera lens more often than not, but seeing themselves produced more smiles and giggles.

A feature of the Palm Pre Plus that some other smart phones do not have is a built-in flash. This is great for lower light situations.

I'm not sure if the photo quality is good enough for printing (I honestly haven't tried), but it is incredibly easy to share photos. I don't print out too many photos anyway, but I do like to share them with the kids' grandparents. The Palm Pre Plus makes it very simple to e-mail photos. You can also download them by connecting the phone to your computer with the included USB cord.

(Have I told you that I like the power cord because it doubles as a USB cord? I so appreciate not having yet another cord to wrangle!)

Video
When I first received the phone I thought the major flaw was that it doesn't have video. Well, they've solved that problem with a software update that became available in February. WebOS 1.4 adds video capture to the phone!

Take videos of the kids (or anything for that matter). You can download them via the USB cable, upload directly to YouTube or Facebook, or even e-mail it to Grandma.

I thought that the colors in the video were vivid and I had no trouble trimming the video down to about 20 seconds to e-mail. The file is an MP4 that can be downloaded by the recipient and I watched my videos using QuickTime.

WIN IT!

Prize: Palm Pre Plus Phone* (one winner)
Entry Question: Check out the Palm Pre Plus on the Verizon website and tell me which feature you think would make being a mom of today easier.
Extra Entries: (Fill out entry form again for each additional entry.)

Tweet about this giveaway: HUGE giveaway: Verizon Palm Pre Plus Phone from @fullmommy http://tinyurl.com/yaeeatl #VerizonPalmPrePlus (enter by 3/14)
Tell your friends on Facebook linking to this post.
Become a fan of The Full Mommy on Facebook.
Blog about the giveaway linking to this post.
Subscribe in a reader.
Subscribe by e-mail.

Enter By: March 14, 2010
Rules:

Winners will be notified by e-mail.
US mailing addresses only.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.
*Phone only, service is the responsibility of the winner.

Entry Form:

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This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I wrote this review while working on a Verizon Palm Pre Plus campaign by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of Verizon Wireless and have been given a Palm Pre Plus (and prizes for giveaways) to facilitate my review.

1StopBox Storage System

2010-03-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

I have a problem in my dining room. It's my table. It's covered in stuff: Art projects, catalogues and junk mail. Reminders, checks, keepsakes, permission slips, photos from school and anything else you can think of. The amount of paper that cycles in and out of my house is astounding.

So here's some good news: “If you can file it you can organize it!”— that's the motto behind the 1StopBox. The 1StopBox is a set that goes beyond the average storage solution, providing a system that functions both as a place to permanently store important items and as a type of “file cabinet” to easily locate something when you need it.

I received a baby 1StopBox from creator Stacy Fenske for a review, which is a 4-piece set made of blue or pink chenille fabrics that has a place for a baby book, (umm. yeah. I still need to work on that but it's nice to know it has a home waiting for it) a baby calendar, baby blankets or clothes. The storage box is big enough to house a first pair of shoes, the outfit your baby wore home from the hospital or any other keepsake item. (I have a soft spot for the little baby hats they wore home.) The baby 1StopBox also comes with a matching photo album because goodness knows you can't ever have too many photo albums for your kids.

If your babies are not babies anymore, the kid’s 1StopBox has a place for immunization records, birth certificates, report cards, school projects, artwork, medals, trophies and mementos. Should you ever need more, additional storage components can be purchased from the website.

For the organizationally-challenged folks out there like me, this is a great product. Instead of dumping all of the kids artwork in a big bin to be sorted out later, now I easily file the ones I want to keep and secretly pitch the rest. I have a spot for immunization records and kindergarten papers. I also no longer have to pull crinkled photos out of my big mom bag and cringe because I forgot they were in there. I have my filing box on the table where my piles used to be and it's a good feeling to not come home to that mess every night. (Ok, sometimes there is a still a mess there, but I can organize it much more efficiently now.)

To learn more about the 1Stop Box Storage System, visit 1stopbox.com. There are storage sets for lots of occasions including a wedding 1StopBox and one for pets that is currently in the works!

The 1StopBox Storage system runs for $59.95 but right now it's MARCH MADNESS at 1StopBox. Use coupon code MM2010 for $10.00 off any set and half price shipping.

This was written by AmyJo who can be read at Binkytowne. Thank you to 1StopBox for sending me a storage set at no charge for review.

Please read our disclosure statement.

Better Baby Bums: for diapers that are better for the environment

2010-03-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

I try to be eco-freindly, but let's face it, having babies means we consume so much stuff!

One area where I feel like I have partially succeeded in being good to the planet is diapering.

I use cloth diapers most of the time, but I use disposables for nap and bed time and when we are away from home, including preschool. (My motto is: Do what you can, don't sweat what you can't.)

Traditional disposable diapers freak me out a little because of the absorbent gels. One brand is so heavily perfumed that it triggered my allergies and I had to give away a nearly full package. And another brand gave both of my kids rashes.

I love that there are so many eco-friendly choices in disposable diapers these days!

Better Baby Bums is an online store that offers good choices for diapering, wipes, skin care, sun protection, sippy cups, bottles, feeding accessories, teething, toys, and more.

(Canadian shoppers should enter through this link. All other links will send you to the store for US shoppers.)

Better Baby Bums sent me two different brands that they offer to try out on my son. (Boy I wish this was a post stating that he was finished potty training!) I haven't heard of these brands so I was excited to get my hands on them and put them on my little guy's bum.

(Yes, I get excited about diapers. Is that strange?)

Broody Chick 100% Natural and Fully Compostable Diapers

Broody Chick Diapers are the first fully compostable disposable diaper on the market. You could seriously put them in your compost pile.

Broody Chick Diapers are:

100% natural and compostable
Chlorine-free
Plastic-free
Plant-based absorbent gel
Packaged in a 100% recycled cardboard box printed with plant-based dyes

Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Diapers

Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly diapers are made in Denmark and have the highest standards for environmental and health standards in the US.

Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Diapers:

The absorbent core of these diapers has a cornstarch super-absorbent polymer which is 100% biodegradable.
The pulp used in the diapers is also 100% biodegradable and harvested from sustainable Scandinavian forests.
These diapers are totally chlorine free and whitens the diapers using an oxygen delignification process in combination with hydrogen peroxide or ozone.
Wetness indicator lets you know when it is time to change them.
The only natural preemie diaper on the market.

My Verdict

I love the Broody Chick diapers. They are both soft and fit really well on my child. I didn't have any issues with leakage, including naptime when he usually wets heavily. The Bambo diapers performed as well as the national store brand I often buy. My only issue was that the size I chose was a little big for my guy. But we all know that diapers fit so differently and the size that works for one brand might not fit in another (he's right on the cusp of two sizes right now).

Both diapers performed as well as other more eco-friendly diapers I have purchased.

If you are concerned about the chemicals in traditional disposable diapers or are looking for diapers that are more eco-friendly, I would definitely consider these two brands or the others offered by Better Baby Bums.

DISCOUNT
Readers of The Full Mommy can receive a 20% discount off their order at Better Baby Bums by using code: greenbum

You will also receive free shipping on orders over $49.99 and a free stainless steel water bottle with orders over $10 while supplies last!

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: BABY BUMS
Prize: $50 gift card from Better Baby Bums
Number of Winners: One (US and Canada)
Entry Question: Besides the two brands of diapers mentioned in this review, what is another diaper brand offered by Better Baby Bums?
Enter By: March 12, 2010
Entry Form: Click here
Extra Entries: (Fill out entry form again for each additional entry.)

Tweet about this giveaway: Giveaway $50 Gift Card to Better Baby Bums from @fullmommy http://bit.ly/daIghf (enter by 3/12)
Tell your friends on Facebook linking to this post.
Blog about the giveaway linking to this post.
Subscribe in a reader.
Subscribe by e-mail.
RSVP for the #ecowed Twitter Party (March 10)

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I received these diapers as part of a Mommy Go Green Blog Tour.

Thomas & the Runaway Kite

2010-03-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

If there is a new Thomas DVD, you had better believe my son is glued to the screen.

The latest adventures can be seen on Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Runaway Kite in Full Steam CGI Animation. My husband loves the latest Thomas offerings in CGI because they can really bring the characters and adventures to life.

As in other Thomas DVD's, we meet a live character at the station who talks to the children between episodes.

My son was excited because one of the episodes features Hiro, who we haven't seen since Hero of the Rails. And we also get to see more of Charlie who we met on the Splish, Splash, Splosh! DVD earlier this year.

(From the DVD:) There's a kite on the loose and Thomas needs to catch it before the wind blows it from Sodor! With Gordon, Charlie and Toby by his side, Thomas learns that a helping hand keeps him on the right track when it comes to rescuing kites, saving a swarm of bees, and preventing railway disasters from taking flight. Hop on board for a high-flying ride with Thomas & Friends in these train adventures!

Also new on DVD:

Easter is fast approaching! If your kids are fans of Barney, they will enjoy Barney: Egg-cellent Adventures.

(From the DVD:) Your search for tee-riffic fun with Barney & Friends is over! Baskets full of egg-citement abound when Mother Goose, a nest full of eggs, and a mysterious, carrot-eating visitor bring super-Dino adventures to the whole family. Hop along for the super-dee-duper adventures with Barney and his friends!

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. DVDs were supplied by Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment and I was not paid for my review.

Planet Dog Green T's

2010-03-02T12:01:00.002-05:00

The Planet Dog Green T was designed with a dog lover in mind, but you don't have to have to have a dog to love this collection of eco-friendly tee shirts. (I'll be you can even be a cat person...)

If you are interested in Green clothing, you should know that each is printed in the U.S.A. with earth-safe, phthalate-free inks after being made in India in a factory that operates with partial wind and solar power. That's all great, but could you sleep in it if you wanted to? Planet Dog states that the 100% certified organic short-sleeved shirts are "As soft as a puppy's ears". I think they may be right.

The Green T collection includes four styles: "reduce your carbon pawprint"; "reduce. reuse. rewoof."; "think globally. act doggedly" and "you had me at woof." Each is offered in both women's and men's cuts except for "you had me at woof." which is only available in women's sizing.

The suggested retail price is $29.95. Mine was free. Thank you Planet Dog!

To order one, you can visit here or here or by calling Planet Dog directly at 800-381-1516.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: Planet Dog

Prize: A Planet Dog T-Shirt
Number of Winners: 1
Enter By: 3/9/10

Entry Form: Click here

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by AmyJo who can be read at Binkytowne.

Please read our disclosure statement.

New Release: Wallace and Gromit A Matter Of Loaf And Death

2010-03-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

The newest adventure from the hilarious British icons Wallace & Gromit™--A Matter of Loaf & Death -- available now on DVD.

Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf & Death, as you may gather from the title, is a silly murder mystery with Gromit searching to discover the identity of the Cereal Killer (ha!) before Wallace becomes the next victim.

While I think the antics and the cartoon nature of the DVD renders this safe for family viewing, I think the subject matter may lead to some unwanted questions from the 4-5 year old set. Parents should watch first and decide if the little ones are ready for it.

This DVD is packed with special features including :“How They Donut” – The Making of A Matter of Loaf and Death featurette, Audio commentary with director Nick Park and editor David McCormick, a Wallace & Gromit Grand Adventure Video Game Demo, and a bonus episode of Shaun the Sheep™ “Off the Baa!”

Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf & Death DVD is available now.

This was written by AmyJo who can be read at Binkytowne.
Please read our disclosure statement.

Verizon Palm Pre Plus: Social Networking for Us Social Moms

2010-03-01T06:00:00.007-05:00

Did you know that a cell phone can actually make phone calls?

Yeah, I have to say that using the Palm Pre Plus as an actual phone makes up only a small percentage of my use.

So what do I use the phone for?

Social Networking

I am constantly on the go between working outside the home and two kids who are both in school. Not to mention dance classes and ice skating lessons. I find that I often have five minutes here or twenty minutes there when I am just sitting there waiting.

I make the most of that time by using apps to socialize with my friends. How can you socialize on your Palm Pre Plus, you ask? Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail are all easy to use on the phone.

Facebook

With the Facebook app you can see what your friends are up to and post your own status updates on the fly. The qwerty keyboard makes it pretty easy to type in your updates.

Twitter

If you are addicted to Twitter like I am, you can use an app like TweeFree on the Palm Pre Plus.

You can see the timeline, messages written to you, direct messages, and even search for keywords like #VerizonPalmPrePlus.

E-Mail

And I downloaded the Gmail app to check my e-mail. I have this dream of "zero inbox" (going through e-mails so that your inbox is empty) and spending a few minutes here and there to read, answer, or trash e-mails keeps me on top of things.

And More!

If social networking isn't enough to occupy your time, how about a game. I'm currently going through physical therapy and have appointments three times a week. For 15 minutes of each session I'm hooked up to a machine. Instead of staring blankly at the ceiling or reading magazines that are, well, old news, I've been using the phone to play Sudoku. Yes, there's even a free app for that! I also have People Magazine and Newsweek apps on the phone to keep up to date on current events and pop culture.

WIN IT!

Prize: $25 Verizon Gift Card
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: Check out the Palm Pre Plus on the Verizon website and tell me which feature you think would make being a mom of today easier or you can tell me what social networking sites you would use on this phone.
Extra Entries: (Fill out entry form again for each additional entry.)

Tweet about this giveaway: #VerizonPalmPrePlus Giveaway 3: $25 Verizon gift card from @fullmommy http://bit.ly/cSjRyd (enter by 3/7)
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Enter By: March 7, 2010
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Come back next Monday for the last of the four giveaways: a Palm Pre Plus phone worth $150! Entries from all the Verizon giveaways will count toward the big prize, so I hope you've been entering each week and taking advantage of opportunities for extra entries.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I wrote this review while working on a Verizon Palm Pre Plus campaign by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of Verizon Wireless and have been given a Palm Pre Plus (and prizes for giveaways) to facilitate my review.

Infantino Wrap and Tie Baby Carrier

2010-02-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

My infant is not really an infant any more. He's approaching 20 months old already. So officially, he's more like a toddler now, but he's still only around 20 pounds give or take a wet diaper and he wants me to carry him every single minute of the day, so I was more than happy to accept an opportunity to review the newest Infantino baby carrier: The Wrap & Tie.

The Wrap & Tie does just that: It wraps around your body and ties in different ways which offers you more options that other baby carriers. This is a three-in-one backpack carrier which offers the versatility of allowing your baby to face in or out in the front and switches to backpack style for additional wear. I've tried a lot of baby carriers and I think it's a nice benefit to have the option to wear in front (my preferred choice for napping on the go) or in back (better for going for walks or a run through the grocery store.)

The other nice thing I found about the Wrap & Tie Carrier is that it's adjustable to fit parents of all sizes. That's not always true of all baby carriers.

The Wrap & Tie Carrier is suitable for newborns up to 35 lbs. Even though it's good up to 35 lbs, I don't think it's really meant for a bigger baby like mine because he's skinny but he's long. He wasn't comfortable in the front but it worked well for us in the backpack mode.

I'll admit that when I unwrapped the carrier I found the long straps a little bit daunting, but the instructions were easy to follow and the straps turned out to be cushioned and comfy on the body.

Infantino Wrap and Tie Baby Carrier sells for around $39.99, so it's a good price for something with such practical applications. (Mine was provided by Infantino. Thanks Infantino!)

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: INFANTINO
Prize: 1 Wrap and Tie Carrier
Number of Winners: 1
Entry Question: How many ways can you carry an infant in the wrap and tie?
Enter By: 3/16/10
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by AmyJo who can be read at Binkytowne.
Please read our disclosure statement.

LeapFrog Math Adventure to the Moon DVD

2010-02-26T00:00:00.003-05:00

My two-year-old is currently obsessed with three DVD's from LeapFrog: Let's Go to School, Letter Factory, and Talking Words Factory. He tells us, "Let's watch the Learning Path!" I love that my five-year-old can practice her newly acquired kindergarten skills and the preschooler can learn right along side her. They really are engaging and I hear my kids shouting out answers and later singing the songs. Now when my son sees a letter he recognizes, he starts singing "B says buh, b says buh, every letter makes a sound and b says buh." (Read my review of these three LeapFrog DVD's.)

Since he is a numbers buff (I think he developed a love for numbers from his favorite train show and toys), I was excited when Lionsgate offered me a copy of the latest DVD in this series from LeapFrog: LeapFrog Math Adventure to the Moon

One of the bonus features are several sing-along songs. As I am writing this, we are literally watching the "Counting" song sing-along for the tenth time. In the song they count by two's, five's and ten's. I bet her learns these quickly if we keep watching over and over and over again...

Make that the eleventh time!

This DVD is a great addition to the DVD learning series introducing number and early math skills.

(From the DVD:) Tad and Lily need the perfect collection of things to take to school for their math assignment. When they finally decide on moon rocks, there's just one problem--how will they get them? With some magical help from their firefly friend, Edison, they board a rocket ship to start their quest. Soon the twins learn that math is everywhere, even in outer space! Watch as they use their skills in counting, sorting, skip counting and recognizing patterns to overcome obstacles, find new friends and make the trip back to Earth!

Math Skills:

Counting
Sorting
Patterns

Special Features:

The sorting game
4 sing-along songs
Alphabet Song from Let's Go to School™

The DVD is recommended for ages 3 to 6, but I tell you my 2.5 year old just loves them. And in the car on the way to preschool this morning he was pointing to letters on signs and singing the little LeapFrog song for each one he recognized. On the way home we was reading numbers off of signs.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Lionsgate sent me this DVD for review though I would have totally spent my own money on it.

Shaun the Sheep: A Woolly Good Time DVD

2010-02-25T00:00:00.003-05:00

You know, I find some children's TV to be quite irritating. There are some shows that have so little value that they are banned in the house (a certain square, yellow guy). Other shows have characters who's voices sound like nails on chalkboards.

But if there is one show that I actually like sitting down with my kids to watch, it's Shaun the Sheep.

What can I say? It really cracks me up. It's a rare show that can make moms and dads laugh alongside their children, maybe even a little louder.

HIT Entertainment, knowing of my fondness, sent me (whoops, I meant "my kids") the latest DVD Shaun The Sheep: A Woolly Good Time.

Does it live up to other Shaun DVD's? Um, of course!

It's rare that we catch an episode of Shaun live, though we did happen to see the last few minutes of one last night. So I love having a library of Shaun the Sheep DVD's to reach for when mom, er, I mean the kids, want a little entertainment.

(From the DVD:) A little pinch of zaniness and a big dash of fun is the perfect recipe for laughter as Shaun the Sheep™ and his barnyard buddies Bitzer, Shirley, and Timmy get into more wacky shenanigans along with those fun-loving Naughty Pigs next door. The laughs keep rising, as the creators of the Academy Award®-winning Wallace & Gromit™ are on a roll, dough-ling out more sheep-herding mayhem by the baker’s dozen.

Yes, shenanigans!

Read our other reviews of DVD's featuring the hilarious Shaun the Sheep.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. DVDs were supplied by Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment and I was not paid for my review.

New Releases Minnie's Bow-tique DVD

2010-02-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Boys and girls will love the new DVD from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minne's Bow-Tique. But I think it's fair to say the girls will really love it. In this new release you will find shopping, Minnie Mouse and pretty bows, including one on Daisy Duck that changes color according to mood.

Get ready for some fun and fashion! The grand opening of Minnie's Bow-Tique offers a store of bow and bowties. Problems arise, but Minnie finds a way to help her special customer. The Bow-Tique's grand opening is a success and it all ends in a Big Bow Show with your favorites from the Clubhouse modeling the latest fashions under the biggest bow of all, you guessed it -a Rain-Bow. Clever!

Disney fans can catch four episodes on this DVD starring Minnie Mouse, including "Minnie's Bow-Tique," "Minnie's Bee Story," "Minnie's Picnic" and a new episode, "Minnie's Pajama Party." “Minnie’s Pajama Party” and “Minnie’s Bee Story” include Disney’s Adventure Mode – an interactive game using the remote control.

Minnie's Bow-Tique is in stores now.

This was written by AmyJo who can be found in Binkytowne.
Please read our disclosure statement.

Whip It: Be Your Own Hero

2010-02-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's not often that I tell you about movies here on The Full Mommy that aren't rated G. Heck, it's not often that I stay awake late enough at night to actually watch a grown up movie!

I was sent a couple of DVD's recently including the newly released Whip It.

So I may be a little biased because as a kid I dreamed of being a jammer in the roller derby (I speed skated as a kid, no kidding!). I just found out about a local league and if I hadn't just had wrist surgery, I would so grab my skates and join up.

Anyway, the movie...

Whip It is a coming of age story about seventeen-year-old Bliss. Her mom wants her to be in pageants, but when Bliss happens upon a flier for the roller derby she trades in her gown for skates.

I thought the movie was charming and fun. And the cast was great. If you liked Ellen Page in Juno, you'll like her even more in this role. This is Drew Barrymore's directorial debut.

You'll root for Bliss as she finds her passion, literally getting bumps and bruises along the way.

(From the DVD:) Hang onto your helmet and get ready to break away from the pack! Ellen Page scores huge laughs as Bliss Cavendar, a small-town teenager with a big dream: to find her own path in the world. Tired of following in her family's footsteps of compliance and conformity, Bliss discovers a way to put her life on the fast track... literally. She lands a spot on a rough-and-tumble roller derby team and becomes Babe Ruthless the hottest thing on eight wheels! Co-starring Drew Barrymore (in her feature film directorial debut), Marcia Gay Harden, Juliette Lewis, Daniel Stern and Jimmy Fallon, Whip It is a triumphant, free-spirited comedy loaded with high-speed action and nonstop fun!

Whip It is available wherever DVD's are sold.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I was given a screener of the movie for review consideration.

Verizon Palm Pre Plus: Staying Connected Even at the Coffee Shop

2010-02-22T00:00:00.003-05:00

I am the queen of multi-tasking. What mom isn't? I try to squeeze a little work (professional or blogging) in whenever I can. I try to take advantage of the five minutes I am sitting in the car before the school bell rings.

Sometimes while I am sitting in the car waiting, I use the phone to check my e-mail, To Do lists, and calendar. Sometimes I am keeping my mind sharp by getting in a quick game of Sudoku. (There are a ton of fun apps at no or low fees that you can download to the Palm Pre Plus, including games to keep the kids occupied.)

Let's face it, sometimes we need to actually be productive and get real work done.

Palm Mobile Hotspot for Pre Plus
Mobile Hotspot is a downloadable app that allows web access for up to 5 WIFI enabled devices. Uh yeah, total coolness! You just download the free app and then your phone basically becomes a wireless router allowing you to connect other devices to the internet. You can even password protect it like you would any other router to keep others from using your service.

How many times have you gone to a coffee shop to get some work done and realized that either they have no WIFI (gasp!) or there is a fee for use (I'm talking to you, big chain coffee shop!).

That happened to me just the other day. I stopped for lunch at a small locally owned cafe between appointments. I wanted to get a little work done, but they didn't offer WIFI. With the Palm Pre Plus, I could connect my laptop to the internet using the Mobile Hotspot on the phone.

I will warn you that it does burn a little battery life. But if there's an outlet, you could plug your phone in. There are times when it is definitely worth it.

And how nice would this be on long car trips or commuting by train? I recently took a long train ride to go to and from a conference. There were outlets at the seat, but no WIFI. With the Palm Pre Plus and Mobile Hotspot I could have plugged the phone into the outlet to keep the battery charged and worked on my laptop the entire trip.

I stayed at a hotel that charged $10 a day for internet access. Really? Twice I've been at blogging conferences and the hotel wireless couldn't handle the number of users. I gave up both times and didn't open my laptop even to check e-mail. I couldn't blog at a blogging conference! The irony. With Mobile Hotspot, not only could I have been Tweeting away, but four of my friends could also have connected. I would have been so popular.

For someone who seems to be connected online 24 hours a day, Mobile Hotspot is one of my favorite features of Palm Pre Plus. Even if I didn't use it on a daily basis, I like the security of knowing it's available anytime, anywhere.

Screen Capture

If you want to know how I took the above scene shot of the wireless in action, I held down the gray square, SYM, and P keys. I love taking screen captures, though I will say that it's a little awkward to hold three keys at once and the phone doesn't give an indication that it actually recorded an image. You can find your screen captures with your photos.

The Palm Pre Plus does it all.
What can I do on the fly with this phone? Twitter, e-mail, Facebook and more. Check back next Monday when I will tell you how this phone makes social networking a breeze and of course I'll have another great giveaway.

Did I mention you can also use the Palm Pre Plus to make phone calls? LOL!

WIN IT!

Prize: $25 Verizon Gift Card
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: Check out the Palm Pre Plus on the Verizon website and tell me which feature you think would make being a mom of today easier or tell me how Mobile Hotspot would have saved you.
Extra Entries: (Fill out entry form again for each additional entry.)

Tweet about this giveaway: Palm Pre Plus Review & $25 Verizon Giftcard Giveaway from @fullmommy: http://tinyurl.com/ylbcjmv #VerizonPalmPrePlus (ends 2/28)
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Enter By: February 28, 2010
Rules: Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.
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This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I wrote this review while working on a Verizon Palm Pre Plus campaign by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of Verizon Wireless and have been given a Palm Pre Plus (and prizes for giveaways) to facilitate my review.

Giveaways!

2010-02-19T12:00:00.000-05:00

Have you entered our current giveaways? If not, what are you waiting for? The prizes are always great and entering is always easy.

Verizon Palm Pre Plus: I'm trying out the Palm Pre Plus and Verizon service for four weeks. Read my first review and enter to win the first of four prizes: $25 Verizon Gift Card. Come back each week for a new giveaway. Enter by 2/21/10.

America's Biggest Bedtime Story: John Lithgow read one of his books for America's Biggest Bedtime Story. Enter to win one of his picture books as well as a Pizza Hut gift card. Enter by 2/25/10.

V.SMile Motion Active Learning System

2010-02-19T00:00:00.002-05:00

My daughter wants to play games on the Wii, but she just can't quite use the controller properly when it requires movement and pushing buttons at the same time. She is interested in playing video games on the TV and I have been on the lookout for a system appropriate for her age.

VTech sent us the V.Smile Motion Active Learning System to play with. It was easy to set up. I just inserted batteries into the console and the wireless joystick and attached it to the TV with the video/audio inputs.

(From VTech:) Put your child in motion while driving home lessons in math, reading, science, spelling and more with V.Smile Motion™ TV Learning System! V.Smile Motion™ is a breakthrough gaming console that combines wireless, motion-activated play, web connectivity and educational gaming into a system that plugs directly into your TV! V.Smile Motion™ has all of your child's favorite characters including Scooby-Doo, Thomas the Tank Engine, Winnie the Pooh and Spider-Man, as well as new ones like Disney Fairies, Pixar’s Up!, Handy Manny, and Ni Hao Kai Lan Your child will love these wireless action packed toys that guide them through age-appropriate skill levels and developmental activities.

This gaming system is recommended for ages 3 to 7. The available game cartridges are compatible with other VTech games (they call it the V.Smile Smartridge library), which is good if you have any of their other toy systems.

The package shows two children playing, but the system only comes with one wireless joystick. And unfortunately the power cord for the console is sold separately!

My daughter quickly figured out how to use the controller to play Action Mania, the game that comes with the system. As with other gaming systems, the included game is a good enough introduction to the system, but additional games with characters that children know seem to keep their attention more.

VTech also sent us the Scooby-Doo Funland Frenzy game which is recommended for ages 4 to 6.

(From VTech:) We've got a mystery to solve so get ready for action! Join Scooby and the gang to investigate the haunted happenings at the Funland Amusement Park with this exciting V.Smile cartridge for the new V-Motion system featuring motion-sensor gameplay! Funland Frenzy features four learning Adventure games including Coaster Caper, Deepsea Dunk, Maze Manor and Sky Sail. And Funland Frenzy comes with four Learning Zone games including Logic Ball, Math Rally, Letter Train, Scooby-Doo's Clues.

This game teaches matching, numbers, logic, vocabulary, math, letters, and spelling. Scooby is one of her favorite characters and this game kept her interested. She enjoyed trying out the 4 Learning Adventure and 4 Learning Zone games and used both the joystick and the motion-activated controller to play the games.

I appreciated that she wasn't instantly able to breeze through the games, but had to pay attention to learn how to play the games and figure out the hand-eye coordination involved. Though she was frustrated during her first run through, I used it as a teaching moment to let her know that everyone has to learn how to play a new game and she needed to have a little patience and we could figure it out together. It didn't take too long before she could successfully jump over the gaps on the roller coaster!

My two-year-old wanted to get in on the action so I humored him with his own play time. Of course he wasn't good, but he liked emulating his older sister and had fun trying to use the remote.

Games are available with Scooby-Doo, Tinker Bell (Fairies), Thomas, and more.

I think for my five-year-old the V.Smile Motion Active Learning System is a good introduction to video games. She likes using the controller for motion and also the joystick. And she's using her newly learned kindergarten letter and number skills to successfully navigate the games.

If you are interested in the V.Smile Motion, also read this review written by Full Mommy editor Mayberry.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I was given a V-Motion and one game cartridge by VTech for my review. I was allowed to keep the product, but the opinion I am sharing remains my own.

America's Biggest Bedtime Story: Lithgow's Carnival of the Animals

2010-02-17T00:00:00.013-05:00

It's that time of year again: time to snuggle up with your children and watch a video of John Lithgow reading one of his stories for America's Biggest Bedtime Story sponsored by Pizza Hut as part of their Book It! reading program.

I told you about this program last year (read my post). As we participated I have two admissions:

I tried Pizza Hut for the first time in a long while and now it's our regular pizza place. I LOVE the breadsticks!
We have a new found love for John Lithgow's books.

Last year he read I Got Two Dogs and ever since it is one of my daughter's favorite books. We love howling the chorus together. The book even comes with a CD of Lithgow reading/singing/howling the story.

This year join Lithgow as he reads Carnival of the Animals.

(From the website:) Calling all children, parents, and teachers - grab your books and pajamas because the nation's largest annual bedtime story event, America's Biggest Bedtime Story, is back by popular demand for the third year. BOOK IT!® is teaming up with children's author and Golden Globe-winning actor John Lithgow to invite readers to participate in America's Biggest Bedtime Story by logging on to www.bookitprogram.com on Thursday, Feb.18th. (Available all day beginning at 9 a.m. CST.)

For this year's event, Lithgow will share his book, Carnival of the Animals, and if more readers participate in America's Biggest Bedtime Story than in previous years, BOOK IT! will donate funds for 50,000 meals to Haiti Relief through the World Food Programme. The magic number was set last year when 197,972 participants watched Lithgow read his book, I Got Two Dogs.

Since you can view the video throughout the day, make sure to grab your kids and the computer and watch the story together on Wednesday. If it's even half as good as last year's, I know we'll watch a dozen times in one day!

And as a bonus, they will show us I Got Two Dogs again.

WIN IT!

Prize: Lithogow's Book Marsupial Sue Presents the Runaway Pancake and Pizza Hut Gift Card
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: What animal is on the cover of Carnival of the Animals? (Hint, look at their website.)
Enter By: February 25, 2010
Entry Rules: Winners will be notified by e-mail. US mailing addresses only. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

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This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Pizza Hut sent me a book and gift card for the purpose of this review.

Verizon Palm Pre Plus: The 3G Smartphone Smart Enough for Mom

2010-02-15T00:00:00.004-05:00

When Verizon asked if I wanted to test drive the Palm Pre Plus cellular phone I, of course, said yes. I love shiny new techie toys!

The Palm Pre Plus allows moms to take multi-tasking to the next level. Internet connectivity allows you to make use of those free minutes as you are waiting in long lines or sitting in the car waiting for school to get out.

I always giggle when I sit in the school parking lot and see all the moms looking into their phones and typing away. Are they doing important business or surfing the internet? I like to do a little of both.

Over the next four weeks I'll bring you posts about the phone itself and it's functionality. And each of these posts will come with a great giveaway ending with a prize you'll literally want to get your hands on.

For interactive tutorials on the Palm Pre Plus phone, you can visit the Verizon website. I've been there a few times.

Out of the box, there are several great features that kept this Full Mommy on track.

(The following images are actual screen captures from my use of the phone. And yes, the colors are this vivid!)

Launcher
It's pretty easy to navigate in the Palm Pre Plus. Along the bottom are the icons for four commonly used items and an arrow which opens the launcher.

In the launcher you'll find your camera, photo album, web browser, music library, YouTube, and all your apps.

Web Browsing
Web browsing is easy on the Palm. You browse just like you do on your home computer. You can even turn the phone to switch between landscape and portrait view and you can zoom in and out by pinching your fingers on the touchscreen. Bookmark your favorite sites to pull them back up quickly.

Memos
Virtual sticky notes!

I feel like I'm pulled in so many directions these days that if I don't write it down, I'll forget. Jot a quick note to yourself on the fly. You can even choose the color of the note.

Tasks
Write out your errands or to-do list and mark off the items as they are accomplished. You can organize them by due date or priority.

Google Maps
You'll never have an excuse for getting lost again. With Google Maps you can view maps and even get turn-by-turn directions. The satellite view is cool!

Come back each Monday as I give away more prizes from Verizon and Palm and tell you about additional features of the Palm Pre Plus that help make life a little easier for us moms.

WIN IT!

Prize: $25 Verizon Gift Card
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: Check out the Palm Pre Plus on the Verizon website and tell me which feature you think would make being a mom of today easier.
Extra Entries: (Fill out entry form again for each additional entry.)

Tweet about this giveaway: Palm Pre Plus Review & $25 Verizon Giftcard Giveaway from @fullmommy: http://tinyurl.com/yd5ubq3 #VerizonPalmPrePlus
Tell your friends on Facebook linking to this post.
Blog about the giveaway linking to this post.
Subscribe in a reader.
Subscribe by e-mail.

Enter By: February 21, 2010
Rules: Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways. US mailing addresses only.
Entry Form:

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This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I wrote this review while working on a Verizon Palm Pre Plus campaign by TheMotherhood.com on behalf of Verizon Wireless and have been given a Palm Pre Plus (and prizes for giveaways) to facilitate my review.