Songs from the Heart - Celtic Woman CD

Back in college I dated a boy with Celtic roots. He introduced me to Celtic music, and, being that I was in love with him at the time, I did what any lovesick girl would do, I immersed myself in the music he loved.

Celtic music back then was not cool. (He wasn't all that cool himself. M would tell you he wasn't cool at all. But eh.) It was haunting and lyrical, but not cool. I pretended it was hip, but, if we're being fair, I had to hunt pretty hard for the CDs that I bought. Then we broke up, I moved to the US, and the CDs were lost somewhere along the way.

I didn't think of them again until I popped in the Celtic Woman, Songs from the Heart CD. Familiar haunting strains poured out of my CD playing, instantly transporting me back. It's not the same music, not by any stretch of the imagination. This CD mixes music you already know and love - Fields of Gold, Amazing Grace - with classic Celtic strains and harmonies. Just beautiful.

This CD has been a hit with everyone at home, something that is definitely rare considering our very different tastes in music. But tonight even my extremely musically picky husband admitted that it was a very pleasant and soothing CD to listen to. The girls were much more easily won over - they're convinced that this is the music to Belle or another Disney Princess movie. I'm just glad that we get to listen to something other than Elmo or Kermit the Frog for once!

There are definite times this CD sounds like it could be a film score, but that doesn't take away from its aesthetically pleasing music. It's not something you're going to get up and dance to, but if you're looking for something soothing and relaxing to listen to, then this CD is definitely for you!

The Celtic Woman group is on tour right now. Visit http://www.celticwoman.com to find show dates and locations.
You can find the album for purchase at Amazon and other music retailers.

Please note: This CD was sent to me by EMI Music to review because I am a member of Music Moms, a group of bloggers who review music. Nevertheless, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.

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Clorox Helps You Fight the Flu

Anyone who reads my regular blog knows that I have been particularly scared of the flu this winter. I struggled to get my daughters vaccinated against the H1N1 flu and I've been beyond anal about avoiding germ infested places. (Public library anyone?)

Beyond not taking my kids to places that might be harboring more than their fair share of germs, I've also been making a conscious effort to keep our home as sanitized as possible. I routinely disinfect door knobs, phone handsets, remote controls, and anything else that strikes me as potentially germy.

Lucky for me and anyone else who's on the "no germ, no virus" bandwagon this winter, Clorox has decided to make our lives a little easier. They've packaged the best of their disinfecting products with a handy guide that tells you, step by step, how to keep your house flu free this winter.

Best of all? If you buy the Clorox Home Flu Kit you'll actually be saving money - buying all the components separately costs more and you don't get the handy dandy cheat sheet!

Now personally I was already a big fan of Clorox even if I am a hair scared of bleach and what it can do to jeans and cute clothes. And I may be a hair obsessed with Clorox wipes. So it wasn't a stretch for me to fall in love with the Flu Kit. (It's for killing the FLU! I love killing the flu!) Add the fact that the kit includes Clorox's hospital strength hand sanitizer (my other obsession this winter), and I'm sold. You can't buy that stuff in stores and if rumors are true, sooner rather than later this winter it's going to start getting hard to find Purell on store shelves...

The Clorox Home Flu Kit isn't yet available in stores. Right now you can only buy it online. For $24.99 +shipping you get:

• 2 canisters of Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes, one Fresh Scent and one Lemon Scent  (35 wipes in each)
• 1 bottle of Clorox^® Bleach (24 oz)
• 2 on-the-go packets of Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes (9 wipes in each)
• 1 bottle of Clorox^® Clean-Up^® Cleaner with Bleach (32 oz)
• 1 bottle of Clorox Commercial Solutions^® Clorox^® Hand Sanitizing Spray. (16.9 oz)
• 2 on-the-go bottles of Commercial Solutions^® Clorox^® Hand Sanitizing Spray (2 oz each)
• A 4-color guide and laminated wallet-size card describing the most effective ways to use these products at home and on-the-go.

So? What are you waiting for? Let's teach those germs who's boss!

Please Note: I am in no way affiliated with Clorox. I was sent a Clorox Home Flu Kit to test out at home for review purposes and was in no other way compensated for this review. The opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.

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Gift Guide for Tireless Moms

Moms just do. We get up in the morning no matter how little we've slept. We get through the day no matter how much is thrown our way. We don't question, we don't complain (much), we just do.

So take a second this year and think beyond the bath salts and get your mom something awesome for this holiday season. Need some ideas to get you started? Read on.

1) The iPhone.

OK, fine, you might not be an AT&T customer, but I guarantee you that the iPhone is at the top of every mom's wishlist this holiday season. That or another awesome smart phone. So she can Tweet, Facebook, text, and connect with her friends no matter where she happens to be - soccer field, grocery store, or even the library. Oh yeah, and so she can manage the family's calendar and stuff...

2) An eBook Reader - the Barnes & Nobles Nook, an Amazon Kindle, or a Sony Reader.

Granted there's nothing like finishing an awesome book and handing it over to your best friend over a cup of coffee, but there's also something to be said to never being without something to read. You know, for those hours moms spend waiting in the car and everywhere else.

3) A Camera!

Go with a fancy DSLR or a more modest point and shoot, but a mom with a camera in hand is a happy mama who can capture every moment that she's scared she'll forget.

4) A Spa Certificate.

Sure it's a bit cheesy and definitely overdone. So it's a good thing that massages, mani-pedis, and facials can be enjoyed over and over again. Want to make it extra special? Get her two, one for her and one for her best friend, it's like two gifts in one - the massage and a girl's afternoon out.

5) A Year of Coffee.

A latte here, a venti here, it adds up, but it's a small price to pay for a moment of zen in the middle of the chaos that fills a mother's day. Make that moment even sweeter by sparing her the mad 'hunt-for-change-under-the-cars-seats' dance.

6) A maid service

Fine, not everyone can afford a regular cleaning service, but a one time clean-up won't break the bank and will be an incredibly welcome treat for even the most zen mom out there. You see, a cleaning service is going to clean behind the chair that mom always ignores, and she's going to dust the top of those light fixtures that are always forgotten. For about five minutes the house is going to sparkle. Then someone is going to track in mud or spill something, but those five minutes will be well worth it.

7) A new car.

Oh, who am I joking. Nothing could replace the beat up mom car packed to the gills with toys, sippy cups, and cheerio crumbs.

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Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café - Review

I was such a Strawberry Shortcake kind of kid that I even dressed up as Strawberry herself one Halloween. It was the cheapest, most plastic-y costume you could possibly imagine, but I cherished that thing. But aside from what I remember about that sheet of plastic costume, what I loved best about Strawberry Shortcake was her intoxicating smell. They say it was Strawberry, but I'm not sure it wasn't crack.

Since I was such a Strawberry Shortcake fan as a kid, I was thrilled to see her make a massive come back this year. I'm getting a kick out of watching Little L and C play with my little fruity friends.

I have two girls so it almost goes without saying that they go ballistic whenever I present them with a toy that has lots of tiny components. Anything cute, pink, and tiny is an instant hit in our home. My husband goes ballistic also, but for completely different reasons. The tiny bits drive him up the wall.

The Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café is exactly the kind of toy my girls love. It's adorable, comes with a doll, and lots of teeny tiny pieces for lots of fun pretend play. Little L likes that Strawberry can sit on a bird and go for a spin. C likes to set up the café and have Strawberry be the perfect little hostess. I like watching them take a trip to my childhood. And M? Well, he's not a fan of the little pieces, but he does like it when the girls play on their own.

Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café Pros:

- Fun retro toy with an up to date twist. Lots of fun details, like a blender for iced coffee drinks and a cute little oven to bake the tiny baked goods. Strawberry Shortcake even has a bed in case she needs to take a nap after a particularly crazy morning!

- Not a bad price point for such a large toy - $28.42 today on Amazon.

- Great potential for imaginative play. Since Strawberry Shortcake is the only doll supplied with this set she might have to get to know some of your kid's other dolls!

Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café Cons:

- I don't know if my kids are singular in this or not, but they don't tend towards mixing and matching their toys. So there's a big chance that in our home Strawberry won't be making any friends until her creators start selling more of her fruity palls.

- The windows and doors on the café don't seal shut so the tiny little pieces can't be stored in it for safekeeping. A ziplock bag takes care of that issue, but it would have been nice to have the set be self-sufficient.

- My treasured childhood smell isn't here for the ride. (It is on some of the Strawbery Shortcake coloring books that we have found.) But the girls don't mind. I'm the only one who noticed!

All in all this is a lovely toy and will make many little girls grin with glee this holiday season!

Please Note: I am in no way affiliated with Hasbro. I was given a Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cafe for review purposes and was in no other way compensated for this review. The opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.

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Sprig Toy Review - Dolphin Explorer Boat

 I'm just going to come out and admit it. I am that mom. The one who lies to her kids. I may have, on many occasions, lied about the fact that a toy didn't make noise. I have yanked batteries before they noticed how it was supposed to work, or let batteries die without replacing them.

What? I believe in the power of imagination!

And then, sometimes I'm delighted to discover toys that don't require batteries and that, by their simple, ingenious designs, are all about promoting the power of imagination. When they happen to be green toys, well, that's just icing on the cake.

All Sprig Toys are eco-friendly and unbelievable adorable. I guarantee that you won't be able to resist picking up the cute little people and I doubt that you'll leave their site without thinking of a few little people in your life who would love to create their own adventures with these toys.

I was fortunate to receive our buddy Captain Owen and his rugged little boat. Is he a fisherman? Is he a dolphin watcher? Depends on the day and who's telling the story.

Sprig Toy Dolphin Explorer Pros:

- Parents will love the eco friendly, made from recycled materials toy. Kids will adore the tough little boat and the adorable dolphins.

- The toys are made from Sprigwood, a mix of recycled plastic and reclaimed sawdust. It's smooth to the touch and very pleasant to handle.

- Two boats! For even more imaginative play.

- Waterproof, so great for pool, beach, or even tub time. Dolphins are the only hollow creatures, but they are well designed with no place water can stay trapped and make the toy moldy. Everything else dries nicely.

- The box is more than just a box! It has cut-outs that add a whole other dimension to the toys inside. 

Sprig Toy Dolphin Explorer Cons:

- Our kids aren't used to having toys that have to be fuelled so far by their imaginations. Captain Owen doesn't even have a face. It takes a while for them to get engaged and start having fun with this, but once they do it's hard to tear them away!

- Price point - $29.99 - is a hair higher than I'd go for a basic birthday party toy, but for a toy with this quality and ingenuity I'd invest for my own children, a close friend, or a family member. (Many toys on the site are more in my birthday party price range!)  

I am a huge fan of Sprig Toys and I was delighted to see that they're easy to find. I even spotted one of the trucks at Baby Gap the other day! They have trucks and princesses and even fun book/toys for interactive reading play. I know quite a few kids who will be getting some rugged chunky little imagination boosters in their stockings this year...

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Sprig Toys. I was given a Dolphin Explorer Boat for review purposes and was in no other way compensated for this review. The opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.

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Halloween Fairy Gift Ideas

Despite all your wonderful memories of sorting through your Halloween haul and the joy you got out of having all that candy to savor during the days weeks after the spooky holiday, now that it's your kids sifting through countless candy bars, you're feeling a bit squeamish.

Enter the Halloween Fairy.

She's the awesome little creature who sneaks in during the night and trades your kid's Halloween candy stash for a cool toy or book. (What you the Halloween Fairy does with all that candy is up to you her.)

Love the idea, but don't really know what the Fairy could leave? How about a couple ideas?

1) Candy Land might rubbing it in a bit much, but there are other great board games that would be as fulfilling as a bag full of candy. Halloween Jenga, Boo-opoly, or the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Yahtzee keep the spookiness going, but there are also options if you want to turn your minds to the next holidays, like, say, Holiday Jenga! (Who knew Jenga could lend itself to awesome holiday applications?!)

2) Webkinz come in adorable Halloween-y cuteness, like a little black cat, a sweet little bat, or the cutest little dragon ever. Putting Halloween behind you? How about a delicious little Turkey Webkinz?

3) Once Halloween is over it's time to start decorating the house for some Thanksgiving fun! You'll need your fair share of crayons, construction paper, and glitter to get it all done!

4) Speaking of Thanksgiving, what if the Halloween Fairy traded food for food? No, I'm not talking about more candy, I'm talking about a fun cookbook that might get your kids excited to help with all that holiday cooking! The Pillsbury Kids cookbook, Kid's Fun and Healthy cookbook, and Williams-Sonoma Kids in the Kitchen: Fun Foods book are great places to start.

5) Just because Halloween is over doesn't mean that the dressing up fun has to end. Mr Potato Head looks just as good as a Halloween ghost, as he does as Spiderman, Indiana Jones, or even, say, a certain jolly fat man dressed in red. Hey! This one could even pass as the Hannukah Bunny. You know, if he existed anywhere outside my head.

6) Or, for the slightly sadistic parent (ahem, not pointing any fingers...), how about a sweet reminder of what the Halloween Fairy spirited away? M&M, Starburst, or Twix pillow anyone? Aw! Come on, at least it would be funny! For you!

Obviously these are just a few of the millions of options that the Halloween Fairy could come up with. Hunt around and let your imagination run wild. Then be good to yourself and get rid of the candy instead of eating it all in one sitting. Your teeth will thank you, even if your personal trainer and your dentist don't.

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Scooby-Doo First Frights - The perfect game for this spooky season

Remember Scooby and the gang? If you're anything like me you watched them solve mysteries for hours on end as a kid. Well, today you can put all those hours of cartoon watching to work as you help them gather clues and catch the villains!

Scooby-Doo First Frights is a great game available on the Wii, DS, and Playstation 2. While I was at first a bit skeptical, the game looked a bit simple and young, both M and I were quickly drawn into the neat graphics and the fun the game had to offer.

Four different story lines are divided into multiple levels. Each character from the original cartoon is present and over the course of the game the player gets to be everyone - each character has his own skill set and all are essential to crack the cases. They tackle the levels two by two, working in tandem whether in one player or two player mode. In fact, one of my favorite parts of this game was that it was easy to pop in and out of two player mode without interrupting the game. Have a moment or want to help fight off some bad guys? Click into play. Need to run off to tend to something? Click back out and the first player resumes being in control of both characters.

It was an imaginative game, made up of most of the usual gaming elements - combat, points gathering, puzzle solving - but with a couple fun new twists. I loved being able to think through the collected clues to unmask the villain at the end of each story line.

Scooby-Doo First Frights Pros:
- Fun graphics and engaging story and game.
- Nice variety of play - a bit of problem solving, puzzling, fighting, and quest solving.
- Loved the ability to switch from character to character and being able to drop in and out of play.
- Incredible voices, just like the cartoon - it felt like the cartoon had become interactive.
- It might be a kid's game, but it kept these two adults entertained for a few hours on end!

Scooby-Doo First Frights Cons:
- We assumed that all the episodes would be the same length and we learned the hard way that they get longer and longer. This is great for the game, not so great when you're trying to finish up an episode before bed!
- We stumbled on one bug along the way, but luckily the auto save function worked so we didn't have to start from scratch when we reset the game.
- This isn't a novice game. There are some tricky parts along the way.

In conclusion, this is a fun game that is coming out just in time for Halloween. The spooky tone will entertain all your trick-or-treaters nicely after they gather all their treats! Even better, this might be the perfect gift to trade for all that loot! The fun will last way longer than the sugar high would have.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the companies that make, distribute, or sell this game. I was given a copy of the Wii game for testing and reviewing purposes.

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