Posts Written OnSeptember 2012

VTech Switch & Go Dinos – Hot New Toys for Kids Ages 3-8 {Review}

Switch & Go Dinos LogoCars and dinosaurs. Those are my sons’ two favorite things. They always want to play with cars, dinosaur toys, or watch either on TV. When it comes to toys, my sons tend to get bored with them quick and it is hard to find ones that capture and keep their attention. So what kind of toy could really make them go crazy (in a good way)? How about one that is a dinosaur and a vehicle in one. That’s what VTech has created with their new Switch & Go Dinos.

Switch & Go Dinos Review

I received two (of the seven) Switch & Go Dinos for the boys to play with and they exceeded my expectations. I have seen the commercials advertising them, as my 3 year old always makes sure to get my attention to tell me to ‘buy that’ every time it is on. I didn’t realize how big they are and how many features they actually have. Within a few simple steps, each one can transform from a vehicle to a dinosaur, and vise versa. They each have a screen in the front that is animated with the vehicle drivers or the dinos eyes. There are so many features to the dinos, I probably still don’t know them all.

We first played with the Attila the Ankylosaurus Dinosaur.  This heavy construction vehicle comes with a wrecking ball, tow hook, and a trailer. The tow hook can be used to tow around other Switch & Go Dinos. There are over 70 sayings and sound effects that it makes. My sons loved towing around the trailer and playing with the wrecking ball. When the Attila is switched into a dino, the wrecking ball is now a powerful tail and with the push of a button, the tail moves. I really love that there were two parts to the toys so my sons could each play with a different part as they played together with it.

Attila Switch & Go Dino Review

Next, we got out Brok the Brachiosaurus Dinosaur. This is the king of the Switch & Go Dinos. It comes with a smaller race car and a Pterodactyl. When it in the car mode, it can carried a car, including the race car. With just the pull of the spoiler, the race car launches down for front of the car and the Pterodactyl launches out of the car. They had so much fun launching the car. This was one of my two year old’s favorite features. When switched to the dino, Brok towers high and can move his neck and head all around. This Switch & Go has over 80 different sounds effects and sayings from real-life sounds, fun facts, and cool phrases.

Brok Switch & Go Dino Review

The dinos are heavy duty and I know my boys will test their durability (they aren’t really gentle with their toys). I really love all the different sound effects and sayings that each one has. Normally with new toys, it takes about ten minutes to memorize its sayings and I get annoyed hearing the same thing over and over again. Not with the dinos. I still notice something new every time they are playing with them. The sounds effects are also very realistic. I can’t tell you what my sons’ favorite things are about the toys, because they get so excited just seeing them and the excitement doesn’t die down as they continuously play with them. I can see the dinos being in our household for a very long time.

I would definitely be purchasing more of the collection for my boys. You can purchase the Switch & Go Dinos at national retailers near you, or on Amazon.com.

VTech is holding a Show & Tell Contest on their Facebook page! To enter the contest your child can DRAW or BUILD their own Dino, and no purchase is necessary! Submit your entry by October 1st, for your chance to win a lifetime supply of VTech toys, one of 25 Dino toy sets and more!

 

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for VTech. I received VTech Switch & Go Dinos product samples to facilitate my review.”

Family Night with the Newly Released Avengers Movie #MarvelAvengersWMT

When a hit movie is about to be released on DVD, my husband is normally anxiously waiting to purchase it on that day. Not only is he a huge movie fan, he is also a Marvel fan. When the Avengers movie was in the theaters, we never got a chance to go see it because we rarely get time for a ‘date night’ having three little ones. This past Tuesday, the Avengers was released and at my husband’s disappointment, we had to wait until Wednesday to go purchase it. We decided to take the kids and headed to Walmart because not only do they have an exclusive Avengers Blu-Ray/DVD/Graphic Novel Combo Pack for only $24.96, they also have an Avengers Augmented Reality App that we were looking forward to using.

Avengers Augmented Reality App #MarvelAvengersWMT

We downloaded the app on our Android phones and tablet via the Google Play Store for free. When we got to Walmart, we looked for special trigger points to activate the app and unlock quiz questions and 3D characters. We first headed to the Deli section to get a MarketSide Pizza for our family movie night and there was a trigger point to start the ‘Which Avengers Are You’ Quiz.

Avengers MarketSide Pizza at Walmart

Specially marked pizzas can also be activated for a 3D action scene in a city (I’ll get back to that later). We picked out a huge 16″ cheese pizza for under $10 which I think is a great deal and plenty of pizza us.

After we picked up some stuff to make a salad and a few other grocery items we made our way to the electronics section. There was Avengers everywhere: Playing the display TVs, lots of different movies available, and another trigger point on the movie display. This one lets you take a picture with the Avengers as they appear to be in the store with you. Our two year old was trying to get next to the Hulk.

Avengers Augmented Reality App at Walmart #MarvelAvengersWMT

We almost didn’t get the DVD because they were all out the that display. But we finally found one after walking around for awhile. As we were getting a few other things we needed, we tried to find more trigger points, but we had no such luck. We found some Avengers toys and apparel, but after almost two hours, we were ready to call it a night.

Avengers Merchandise at Walmart #MarvelAvengersWMT

My little guy really wanted to take his new friend Captain America home. He’s so cute, isn’t he?!

Avengers Pizza & a Movie Night #MarvelAvengersWMT

Last night we were ready for pizza and a movie!Avengers DVD Combo

Avengers Augmented Reality App #MarvelAvengersWMT

First, we played with the app some more with the pizza box and the DVD. My sons really enjoyed it. They thought it was funny, but kept looking for the city to really appear on the boxes. We could have played with it for hours, I am sure. It is pretty neat with sound effects and complete animation.

Excited for the Avengers Movie #MarvelAvengersWMT

My sons love pizza night. My husband has been getting our sons all pumped up about superheroes and the Avengers so they were pretty excited. It is a fairly long movie, so the kids watched the beginning with us while they played with some new hot wheels and colored. The DVD combo we got included an exclusive graphic novel, which I read to the kids for a little bit and then they were arguing over it because they each wanted to have it. It got added to their collection of books for future use and to ensure it would not get ripped up.

Avengers Graphic Novel with DVD Combo at Walmart #MarvelAvengersWMT

After the kids all went to bed, we finish the Avengers and as expected, we love it. Check out my Google+ album to view my full Avengers adventure and shopping trip.

Stay connected with Marvel for the latest and greatest updates by following @Marvel on Twitter, becoming their fan on Facebook, visit their website, and be on the lookout for the hashtag #MarvelAvengersWMT. Check with your local Walmart for Avengers Character Appearances in select Walmart stores on Saturday, September 29, 2012.

“I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Marvel. #MarvelAvengersWMT #CBias #SocialFabric. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.”

Provella – A Probiotic Dietary Supplement for Women

Provella LogoMy day-to-day routines always revolve around my sons and my husband. From the moment I wake up, I spend most of my time making sure they are well-fed, well-nurtured, and well-taken care of. As I always put them first, I tend to forget about taking care of myself and my health. My three sons are within 2.5 years in age (3, 2, and 8mo). Since they are so close in age, I was basically pregnant for three years straight (not exactly, but it felt like it) and it really took a toll on my body and hormones. Now that my youngest is 8 months old, I have been wanting to get back on track with my health, but haven’t found the time. I just recently learned about probiotics and Provella and had the chance to try a 30-day sample.

Provella Diet SupplementsProvella is a probiotic dietary supplement pill that helps promote digestive, feminine, and immune health.* What are probiotics? They are live microorganisms, typically bacteria, that are taken to benefit your heath. Everyone has good bacteria and bad bacteria that should be somewhat balanced. A woman’s good bacteria, flora, can be easily disrupted by the use of antibiotic, changes in hormone levels, diets and more causing changes, discomfort, or irregularities in different aspects of your digestive and feminine health. The use of a probiotic helps maintain a good level of flora and restore it, if needed.

Probiotic SupplementsTo be effective, Provella needs to be taken daily with or without food. Taking it daily is important to ensure the good bacteria stays in your system. I have been taking it for over three weeks now. I couldn’t feel a difference when I first started taking it, but I didn’t expect to. I am pretty sure the longer it is taken, the more effective  it becomes.  After three weeks, I will have to say, I do feel healthier. Last week as my sons got a mild cold, I managed to not get ill. I believe it has to do with taking Provella and having a healthier immune system. Things have also been more regular and I feel great!

View the video below to learn more about how it works.

 

Provella can be purchased at your local pharmacy without a prescription behind the counter. Make sure to print out and take this $6 off coupon. It is also available online on Drugstore.com.

 

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Provella. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

 

September 22 Lowes Free Kids Workshop – Fire Truck

September Free Build N Grow Clinic at LowesLowe’s offers a great ‘Build and Grow’ Clinic for kids once a month. This Saturday, September 22nd at 10am the kids will be building a Fire Truck.

The first 50 to register and be present at the store will receive the kit, an apron, and goggles. the recommended ages is 1st-5th grade.

For more information, store locations, and preregistration visit Lowe’s Build And Grow here. They also have fun activities, kits you can purchase and family projects.