HearthSong Wave Pool Noodles Review And Giveaway

My family loves anything that has to do with the water. You can find us swimming pretty much every day. We are always looking for new pool toys and floats.



HearthSong has a fantastic selection of water toys for us to choose from. Since its beginning in 1983, HearthSong has been committed to helping parents follow their instincts to provide their children with age-appropriate, wholesome, quality playthings. They have a large variety of items including toys, arts and crafts, jewelry, books, and more.

HearthSong sent us the Wave Pool Noodles.

Need someplace to relax? Use your Noodle! Make pool time more fun with this floatable foam pellet-filled Noodle. It’s huggable, squeezable and made of neoprene that’s completely comfortable. Use your Noodle in any combination of ways for hours of play and relaxation in the pool.

These noodles are basically mesh with little foam balls inside of them. They are 48 inches long and are 7 inches in diameter. They hold you up way better than any Styrofoam noodle and can actually support 250 pounds! I can sit crossed legged on them and lay back while the noodle keeps me up. I would normally have to use several regular noodles to do that.


They can be used in any type of water, but I would recommend keeping them at the pool. We have them on our boat and they're great for floating in deeper water, but I make sure not to take them out if we're at the beach part. Sand gets in the mesh part and is stuck in there with the Styrofoam pieces.


I know that these won't tear up as easily as regular pool noodles do and you don't use as many to hold you up. I was really skeptical about it holding up 250 pounds, but it keeps all of the guys above water with ease. Here is an up close look so you can see how it is made.


Visit HearthSong to view their full selection of products. You'll be amazed at how much they have!

Buy It!
You can purchase the Wave Pool Noodles for $24.98 each.

Win It!!
HearthSong is giving one of my readers a set of TWO Wave Pool Noodles!!

To enter, visit HearthSong and tell me another item that you would love to have. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1-For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and HearthSong

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a set of TWO Wave Pool Noodles from HearthSong @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/357hqsm #giveaway open to US AND Canada!

5- Place my PINK Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House Button on your blog.

6- Become a fan of/like HearthSong on Facebook. I'm sure they'd appreciate some comment love while you're there.

7- Become a fan of/like Two Of A Kind on Facebook.

8- Leave a comment on any non giveaway post.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on July 19th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US AND Canada!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to the company/pr agency who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Wordless Wednesday - Riding Around In My Automobile...

...My baby beside me at the wheel...



Link up if you have a Wordless Wednesday!


For more Wordless Wednesday go check out 5 minutes for mom and 7 Clown Circus!

CSN Stores Step 2 Easel Desk And Early Childhood Resources Paint Set

I have been a fan of CSN Stores for a while now. With over 200 specialty stores, it is easy for me to get lost on their website. They have pretty much everything you could think of at very affordable prices. With having two kids, I am especially drawn to their toys and games site. You can read my previous review of the Radio Flyer Scooter, here.



CSN Stores sent me the Step2 Flip and Doodle Easel Desk with Stool as well as the Early Childhood Resources 27 Piece Paint Set in Large Storage Crate.


This Step 2 Easel has it all. It doesn't take up much room, includes a ton of storage, and can be used as an Easel or a Desk. Here are the pieces that it came in. My husband was able to assemble it pretty quickly and easily.


This is a shot of Evan painting with the Easel flipped up. As you can see, there are four storage containers underneath. Two large ones and two small ones. There are also two more containers that are up top behind the easel part. The desk also comes with an 11" stool that he is sitting on. I LOVE that hey have this little cup holder that holds the cup of paint that he is using.


This is what it looks like when the Easel is flipped down and turned into a desk. You can see the two smaller storage containers and the top has a bunch of little slots for markers or crayons.


Here is a shot of the back of the desk/easel. You can store several coloring books and paper back there so everything stays together.


The Paint Set has everything that you need to get started. This reusable, large, collapsible plastic crate contains 7 (8 oz.) bottles of washable paint in red, yellow, blue, green, purple, black, and white. There are 7 plastic paint cups with non-spill lids, 6 paint brushes, 3 foam brushes, and 2 foam rollers.


Setting the crate up is really easy. You just fold it up or pop the pieces back into place.


Each paint cup has the name of the color in English and Spanish. Here is what it looks like with the top flipped up or closed.


Each paint cup comes with its own paint brush in the same color so that children don't mix the colors up.


I couldn't be more pleased with both products. Both are made from high quality products and will last my children for years and years of fun. I need to go out and buy some dry erase markers for Evan to use with the easel. There are just so many activities that he can do with the desk and paint set. I also haven't shown him how to use the foam brushes. He still gets excited when we paint and I'm sure he would get paint all over with the foam rollers. I'll have to take him outside early one morning before it gets hot for him to try those out. I know I would have loved these sets when I was little!


Be sure to visit CSN Stores to view everything that they have to offer. You can buy a sleeper sofa or toys and games all in one spot.

Buy It!
You can purchase the Step2 Flip and Doodle Easel Desk with Stool for $59.99 and the Early Childhood Resources 27 Piece Paint Set in Large Storage Crate for $35.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to CSN Stores who supplied the product for the review.

Max & Ruby: A Visit With Grandma DVD

Evan has a few shows that are his favorites, but Max And Ruby is at the top of that list. It is actually on my TV as I type this.

Max & Ruby: A Visit With Grandma became available on DVD June 15th. Evan was thrilled when we were sent a review copy.


The DVD runs for about 99 minutes and episodes include:

Grandma's Treasure Hunt / Ruby's Jigsaw Puzzle / Ruby's Recital
Grandma has organized a Treasure Hunt for Max, Ruby and Louise. Max thinks it’s all about “Pirates!” but Ruby and Louise know it’s all about treasure! The final clue leads them to Grandma’s house, where, to their surprise, Grandma greets them in the backyard, with a trunk full of treasure, but dressed as a “Pirate!”

Ruby is putting a puzzle together and Max is playing with his infamous diabolical lobster. When the lobster nabs a puzzle part, first Max, and then Ruby, go on a mad dash to get the puzzle piece back from the lobster.

Grandma’s coming over for an outdoor recital. Ruby doesn’t know what instrument she’s going to play, and Max keeps interrupting her search, asking for more glasses of “Water!” When Grandma comes, Ruby still isn’t prepared, but that’s okay because Max has followed Grandma’s instructions and they both play a recital for Ruby on glasses filled with “Water!”

Ruby's Rainbow / Ruby's Home Tweet Home / Max's Mudpie
Ruby wants to paint a perfect rainbow for Grandma, but she can’t remember the colors or the order they go in, while Max wants to go out to the “Backyard.” Ruby says he can’t go outside because it’s raining, but when she finally follows him out, there’s a rainbow in the “Backyard.”

Ruby & Louise build a birdhouse. Max says “Hungry” and Ruby gets him a peanut butter sandwich, then berries, then sunflower seeds. When the birds don’t come near Ruby and Louise’s birdhouse, Max uses the treats to attract the birds, who are “Hungry!”

Max keeps trying to make a “Mudpie!” Ruby wants him to stay clean, because Grandma’s coming over and she’s got something very special. Max gets himself and Ruby mucky, but that’s okay. Turns out that Grandma’s surprise is a messy-to-eat double chocolate fudge treat she calls “Mudpie!”

Ruby's Missing Tune / Ruby's Home Run / Ruby's Handstand
Ruby wants to get a home run on the baseball team, and Max wants to play with his “Airplane!” After several attempts, during which Max plane causes her to strike, Ruby accidentally hits the ball and then chases the plane around the bases, surprising herself by getting a home run, thanks to Max’s “Airplane!”

Ruby & Louise are putting on a ballet, and Max wants to drive his “Race Car.” When Ruby’s boom box is broken, Ruby can’t remember the tune, until Max’s comes up with the missing notes when he honks the horn on his “Race Car.”

Ruby is supposed to do a handstand and hold if for five seconds for her Bunny Scout “Gymnastic Bunny” badge. Ruby has two problems – one is that her arm muscles won’t hold her for five whole seconds, and the other is Max, who keeps interrupting and asking her to push him on the “Swing!” But when it comes time for her to perform her handstand for Bunny Scout leader, Ruby discovers she’s built up her muscles, thanks to pushing Max on the “Swing!”

Ruby's Good Neighbor Report / Candy Counting / Ruby's New Shoes
Ruby is collecting stories from members of the community for her Good Neighbor Badge. Max has his “Fire Truck”, which ends up helping him come to the rescue during each of Ruby’s interviews. In the end, Ruby’s Report is about her brother the Good Neighbor, and his “Fire Truck!”

Ruby’s the first one in the door of Candi’s Candy Store to try to win the Candy Counting contest. But it’s hard to get an accurate count when you’ve got a little brother who keeps interrupting when he thinks he’s helping.

Ruby wants to buy some new shoes at the shoe sale in the department store. Max wants to meet "Super Bunny!" who's making a personal appearance there. As Ruby keeps searching for the perfect pair of shoes, Max thinks he's going to miss his chance, until the day is saved for both of them thanks to "Super Bunny!'

We have watched this DVD several times since it arrived and Evan loves it-as I knew he would. We even took it with us on our recent beach trip and he watched it in the car on the way down. It was nice to have him occupied for 99 minutes. Even though Evan loves the show, I always wonder where their parents are because Ruby is so young and she takes care of Max all day, yet they have a grandma that they visit.

If you have Max And Ruby fans at your house, A Visit With Grandma would make a great addition to your collection.

Buy It!
You can purchase Max & Ruby: A Visit With Grandma for $11.99.

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to Paramount/Nickelodeon who supplied the product for review.

Don't Touch That - It's Hot!!

How many times have you told your child not to touch something because it is hot. I feel like I say those words 839 times a day. Evan has always wanted to help when I'm cooking. He pulls his stool right up to where I am, but I make him stand to the side if I'm at the stove. Up until yesterday, that wasn't a problem.

We were making Macaroni And Cheese for lunch yesterday. I took the pot of pasta off of the stove and Evan decided to randomly stick his hand on the stove at that time. Like anyone would, he immediately started screaming. After about an hour and a half I got him calmed down and had put Neosporin on his burned little fingers. This is a picture from last night-hours after it happened.


I was worried he would be in pain for a long time. He rocked with me and fell asleep about 2 hours after it happened. He slept for a while and when he woke up, he told me he felt all better. We kept his hand wrapped up and put a sock over it so he'd leave it alone.

I left it open for a while after his bath last night, but put bandages back on it at bedtime. He took them off right before going to bed and won't keep anything on them now.

I have some major mommy guilt, but know that these things happen. I just hope none of those blisters pop because that is when I'll have to really worry about infection.

Got Giveaways? 6/29

Please feel free to link up to as many of your giveaways as you'd like. If you linked up last week and your giveaway is still going on, please link up again!

If you could let other people know that I'm doing this, I'd really appreciate it. It's not mandatory, but it would be great if you could add my button to your blog or send a tweet out to get people here and post their giveaways.

Check out my current giveaways while you're here!

Select Comfort True Silver Mattress Pad


DownEast Basics Item Of Choice


Lime Ricki Swimsuit


V8 V-Fusion Picnic At The Beach Prize Pack


Sun Hat


$25 Gift Card to T.J.Maxx or Marshalls


Oreck Halo Flash Vac


Merino Kids Sleep Sack(over $100 Value)


Sansbug Pop-up Tent


BBQ 25


Miraclesuit Swimwear


$100 Borders Gift Card - TWO WINNERS


Keurig Special Edition Home Brewing System



Please link to the specific post for each giveaway-NOT just your blog! I will delete your link if it does not go directly to the giveaway.


***CLICK HERE for my Daily List of blogs with giveaway linkies.***

DownEast Basics New Arrivals Review And Giveaway

My husband recently informed me that I was starting to dress like an old lady(no offense to any elderly readers), and I decided to start my quest for a new wardrobe. Even though I'm only 25, I was starting to dress like a mom with no fashion sense.



DownEast Basics has a large selection of fashionable clothing that is also affordable. You can find dresses, jeans, skirts, sweaters, accessories, and much more. They even have a great selection that is on SALE, so their already great prices are even better.

DownEast Basics sent me this Vogue Bag, which I guess they no longer carry.


I couldn't find it on their website, but they do have several other adorable bags. My purse was stolen a few months ago and I've just been using my diaper bags ever since. When I saw the Vogue Bag, it was love at first sight.

It has enough pockets to hold everything that I need, but doesn't look like a total mommy bag. This is a look at the back.


The inside has several smaller pockets to help me keep my things organized. The quality is fantastic and I've received several compliments since I've had it.


Visit DownEast Basics to view their full selection. They have several other items that I'd like to add to my wardrobe. This Dress would make a great cover up when I'm on the boat or at the beach!


Win It!!
DownEast Basics is giving one of my readers an item of their choice from the New Arrivals section. The winner must have not won a DownEast Basics giveaway in the past 90 days. If you are chosen as the winner, you can't win another DownEast Basics giveaways for the next 90 days.

To enter, visit the new arrivals section of DownEast Basics and tell me what item you would choose. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1-For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and
DownEast Basics.

4- Follow twoofakind AND DownEast Basics on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN an item of your choice from the @DownEastBasics New Arrivals @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/22vf29f

5- Place my PINK Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House Button on your blog.

6- Become a fan of/like DownEast Basics on Facebook. I'm sure they'd appreciate some comment love while you're there.

7- Enter any of my current giveaways(1 entry for each giveaway that you enter).

8- Leave a comment on any post at the DownEast Basics Blog.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on July 12th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to the company/pr agency who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Lime Ricki Swimwear Review And Giveaway

If you've visited my blog at all in the past few months-you've seen several pictures of us in the water. We are in our swimsuits pretty much every day with the pool, boat, beach, or even the water sprinkler.



Lime Ricki has some seriously cute swimsuits. Lime Ricki offers the latest styles in modest swimwear at great, affordable prices that are simply unmatched. The collection includes a wide range of styles made from high-quality swimwear fabrics.

Lime Ricki sent me the Courtney Tankini Top and Pink Boy Cinch Shorts.

The top is fully lined on the front and back which makes me very happy. I think all swimsuit tops should be fully lined-even in the tummy/back area. The straps are reinforced with elastic for extra support and there is a padded shelf bra.

The shorts have an adjustable cinch on both sides so you control the length. I just looked on the website and saw that they won't be making these again. They only have small still available. I told them that I wished they had the pink in regular boy shorts and they said they hope to carry them soon!

I LOVE the top. It bought a size up and it fits a little snug, but is not too tight. It provides way more support up top than I thought it would and is long enough to cover up my whole tummy. I have gotten so many compliments on this top. It doesn't make me feel like an old lady mommy. The pattern is incredibly chic, but the design is still modest.


For some reason I thought they had pink boy shorts so I asked for shorts. When they arrived and were the cinch shorts, I was OK with it, but then my kids started pulling on the strings-not cool. I ordered up a size in the cinch shorts and I still feel like they were too tight. BUT, we go tubing, wake boarding, and skiing all the time and this is my favorite swimsuit to wear when we're doing those activities. If you have on anything that is loose at all, it starts to fall off when you hit the water. This swimsuit is not only super cute, but it stays on really well.


I fell in love with Lime Ricki as soon as I visited their site and saw how colorful it is. You have to go check them out and see all of their trendy, yet modest swimsuits. Pay attention to the description of each piece. I think the Bailey top is so stinkin' cute, but it says it is ideal for bust sizes A-B(*HINT*-I think they should carry a top in these colors for women with larger busts.

If you hurry, you can get free shipping through 11pm(MST) on June 29th!!


But It!
You can purchase the Courtney Tankini Top for $37 and Pink Boy Cinch Shorts for $32.

Win It!!
Lime Ricki is giving one of my readers a swimsuit of their choice!

To enter, visit Lime Ricki and tell me what you would pick. This is required and must be done before the extra entries count!

EXTRA ENTRIES!
You can do any of these things for an extra entry. Make sure to leave a separate comment for EACH thing you do.

1-For TWO extra entries, subscribe to my blog via email.

2- Follow my blog via google friend.

3- For THREE extra entries, blog about this giveaway and link it back to this post and Lime Ricki.

4- Follow twoofakind on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can Tweet once a day for an extra entry every day! You can copy and paste: WIN a Lime Ricki Swimsuit @twoofakind http://tinyurl.com/2d6p78f

5- Place my PINK Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House Button on your blog.

6- Become a fan of/like Lime Ricki on Facebook. I'm sure they'd appreciate some comment love while you're there.

7- Enter any of my current giveaways(1 entry for each giveaway that you enter).

8- Follow the Lime Ricki Blog publicly.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on July 12th when I will draw a winner at random. PLEASE leave your email address if it is not visible on your profile. I will notify the winner and they will have 36 hours to respond!

Open to US only!

This was not a paid post and honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may very from others. Thank you to the company/pr agency who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.