Back to School with KIWI Plus Shoe Care Kit Giveaway!

When I was growing up, the one thing I looked forward with back to school was the back to school shopping. I loved it when my parents took us shopping for book bags, lunchbox, new clothes and new shoes. Most of the time I try to take care of my things to at least last for the whole school year. But no matter how much I take care of my shoes it always get dirty. Most of the time my parents end up buying us new ones.

I'm sure many parents can relate to that but thanks to KIWI products, you can extend the life of your kids’ shoes. It keeps their shoes clean and new, and protected from the harsh elements – rain, snow,sleet, etc. It will keep your kids shoes looking their best.Therefore, it will last through the school year. You don't have to buy and will save you tons of money!

Libby does not go to school yet, but even with a toddler it's important to take care of their shoes so not only it will last but I can pass it on to her sister.

I received a KIWI shoe care kit. This kit will help you...

Save the Suede. If your child wears winter suede boots, consider protecting that investment to get them ready for the upcoming cold weather. Products like KIWI Suede & Nubuck Protector & KIWI Protect-All create an invisible shield designed to weather the storm and protect against waterand stains so that boots look newer for more than just one school
season.

Keep Sneakers White. KIWI Fast Acting Cleaner will allow you to keep your child’s sneakers in tip-top shape. It’s designed to swiftly and effectively remove grass stains from sneakers to keep them looking new all the time – just the way they looked when you first bought them.

Change the Laces. Old dirty laces can make a shoe appear to be in worse condition than it actually is. Change sneaker laces now and then to keep your child’s shoes looking newer and fresher. Consider laces that are strong, abrasion resistant and long-lasting.

Shine it Up. KIWI Express Shine Sponges are the perfect solution for a busy household. Just like parents, kids need to keep their shoes looking shiny and new especially when there is a special function at school like a concert or dance. With KIWI Express Shine, moms can easily and completely shine their kids shoes no matter how much – or how little – time they have.

GIVEAWAY

KIWI is giving one of my readers the KIWI shoe care kit, the same kit I received.

Mandatory Entry

How do you keep your shoes looking their best?

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Giveaway ends on September 15, 2010. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. Winners will be chosen via random.org. The winner will receive an email notifying them that they won and announced on my blog. If I do not receive a response within 48 hours , another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only.

Disclosure

I recieved the KIWI shoe care kit from the company or

representing PR for free. NO other payment was given.

AOS 7135 Digital Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic

As a husband and a father of two, I have seen my experience of breathing related problems in the household. From simple nosebleeds to severe nasal congestion, the best way to alleviate these respiratory problems nonpharmacologically is through the use of a humidifier. Humidified air will loosen thick secretions that can cause airway congestion and will keep the nasal mucosa moist to prevent from cracking and nosebleeds. We have used a humidifier successfully, however, they have their share of problems, such as calcium and other mineral deposits forming in and around the system itself. The previous humidifier that we have used had this issue, as we live in an area with "hard water", scum always form around the reservoir area of the humidifier. That's all in the past with the AOS 7135 Digital Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic:

This Digital Warm & Cool Mist Ultrasonic humidifier uses high-frequency vibrations to turn the water into a micro-fine mist that creates a comfortable environment in any room. Choose the pre-heating function and mist exits the appliance at a pleasant 104 °F. «ITC™» technology (Intelligent Temperature Compensation) monitors the temperature and automatically adjusts the output when conditions change. A replaceable demineralization cartridge (Ag⁺ Ionic Silver Technology) ensures a water mist without lime scale or mineral residues, and the AIR-O-SWISS quad-band microbial protection system helps prevent microbial growth in the water base. This is particularly important when the humidifier is not used for some time with water remaining in the base.

We have had the opportunity to try this out and I must say it works as advertised, there's no worry of inhaling bacteria that forms in the basin area as well as deposits that can form around the basin itself. It even adjusts itself to temperature of the room!!! If there is any downside about the humidifier (and this is nitpicking) is that the demineralization cartridge (its like the filter for the mineral deposits, it actually reminds me of an oil filter from a car) needs to be soaked for 24 hours for maximum efficiency. So these are not one of those things were you can use it as soon as you open it, but hopefully, you would have had the foresight to check the instructions before being in the situation where you desperately need the product. Aside from that this is one of the most advanced humidifiers that I have come across. You might want to ask yourself why is this a little pricey? Aside for the low maintenance and efficiency, can you put a price on the most important thing of all: the respiratory health of your family?

Other features I like:

• Humidifies the air in rooms up to 650 sq ft
• Very quiet.
• Empty and cleaning indicators
• Make the choice of cool or warm (104 °F (40 °C) humidification
• AIR-O-SWISS’ ITC™ technology (Intelligent Temperature Compensation) automatically regulates the output to create the most comfortable relative humidity adjusted to the temperature in your room
• Sleep mode: the unit pre-determines a comfortable night humidity level
• Timer allows for 1 to 9 hours or continuous operation
• Transparent water tank (water level clearly visible)

Disclosure

Our family received the AOS 7135 Digital Warm

& Cool Mist Ultrasonic for free

NO other payment was given. We were not obligated to

write a positive review.

This is our honest opinion, yours may be different.

The Wiggles Wiggly Circus Live

Last week, I took my family to watch the Wiggles world tour, which was held in the Izod Center. My two daughters are familiar with the Wiggles as they routinely watch their show, my wife and I are somewhat familiar with them as well. The venue was pretty packed with people and there were nice little crayons and a coloring paper in shape of a guitar when we arrived in our seats (I think its a nice touch, to keep the children's attention occupied). The wait wasn't long as Fifi the ringmaster ushered the opening scene.

During the initial scene, as each one of the Wiggles coming out was met with loud applause, Anthony explained right away that Murray wasn't available because of some issues ( I forgot what it was). Even though, the people was a little bit disappointed, a fellow by the name of Ringo (I think that was his name, the way Anthony pronounced it anyway) did an excellent job as the red wiggle. The Wiggles performed all of their popular songs ( the fruit salad was my daughter's favorite) and there were these fantastic acrobats/ gymnasts doing all sort of tricks with the tumbling mat and Wiggles were doing some acrobatic feats as well. They took out their red car and drove around the stage with it, Dorothy the dinosaur, Wags the dog, Henry the octopus and Captain Feathersword was there as well (AHOY!! Captain feathersword!!) They were excellent performers because even though they were following a format with their performances, they loosely stuck to it and makes for spontaneous fun (there were some hilarious jokes regarding a popular particular exercise regimen as well as the one about Jets/Giants winning the baseball world series).

Overall, the Wiggles world tour was an excellent event as the wiggles themselves cater so much to the children,interacting with them, reading posters held up throughout the show and go as far (literally with Jeff) at the end of the show to pick up flowers from fans, gifts to Dorothy, and a bone or two to Wags. Even though, everything was light hearted and fun, there were some heart touching moments that probably had some people shed a tear here and there. In the beginning, when I sat down with the kids and my wife waiting for the show, I thought to myself " I should try to have fun, for the children's sake". Through out the whole show, up to the time when we were driving back home, I told my kids and wife, "Guys, daddy really had a lot of fun!!"

Disclosure: We received four free tickets to see the show through the USFamilyGuide.com. No other payment was received.

Back to School Sunscreen Tips

Sunscreen Tips for Kids Going Back To School (how to protect them when you’re not with them):

Summer vacation may be over, but that doesn’t mean kids will be out of the sun. Data suggests that the majority of sun exposure in a person’s like occurs before the age of 18. So… how can you be sure to protect your children when they are back at school and out of your sight? Kavita Mariwalla, MD, Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, suggests following these simple rules:

- If your children play sports, pack water-proof spray-on sunscreen in their backpack. Make sure you tell them to spray it on while getting ready for practice or the big game (30 minutes before sun expDear Ethel Olleres,osure). The spray version is easy to apply and they don't have to feel shy about asking a team mate to help them out.

- Consider washing your child's practice clothes and uniforms with Rit Sunguard. Available on-line and in most grocery stores, the easy to use powder can be washed in with clothes in the laundry and confers added SPF to t-shirts, shorts and socks - good for multiple washes.

- Buy empty lotion bottles (travel size) and fill them with sunscreen to pack in your child's backpack. That way it is easy to transport and easy for you to monitor their use.

- Don't forget sunglasses. Beyond a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your child's eyes from harmful UV rays

- Encourage wearing a hat. Though most children are resistant to wearing a broad-brimmed hat, baseball caps are better than nothing. Just remind your child to put sunscreen on their ears and the back of their neck!

- If your child is in tournaments lasting the whole day in the fall, designate a "sunscreen parent." Just like the "snack parent" who provides nourishment to keep the kids on the field, the "sunscreen parent" can keep them safe and free from sunburns. Making this part of the sport environment creates healthy habits early on.

What is the data to support the importance of sunscreen use?

Data shows that basal cell skin cancer is rising in people under the age of 40. In addition, a study done in 2000 and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that children who wore sunscreen consistently developed fewer moles than those who did not. The same study showed that sunscreen use is even more important for children with freckles because it decreased the number of nevi or moles they acquired by up to 40%. An epidemiologic study completed in 2009 showed that male children are at higher risk than female and additional risk factors for developing moles include spending 5 - 6 hours /weekly/ between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm outdoors. That's not a lot of time considering most sports practrice at least 1 - 2 hours a day. And don't forget those soccer tournaments!

So, if your child is playing sports when school gets back in session, remember these tips and keep them protected even when they are not under your watch.

Wordless Wednesday: Emma at 10 months

Hot Summer Fun for Baby Giveaway!

Four “hot” brands Mutsy, kokopax, kushies and pediped present Hot Summer Fun for Baby Giveaway valued at $1000!

Click to Enter the Hot Summer Fun for Baby Giveaway!

My new favorite carrier...Kokopax (Review)

I never used a carrier when Libby was a baby. I owned one but she hated it. I did too. So baby carrier was not one of my list to buy when I was pregnant with Emma. About towards the end of my pregnancy, I started entering giveaways. One of the first giveaways I won was a Phat Baby Wraps. The first time I wore Emma in a wrap and saw how peaceful she looked, I fell in love with baby wearing. It changed my whole perspective about baby wearing. Now it's a lifestyle. I would rather wear my daughter done use a stroller.

I love being close to Emma at all times and have free hands to do what I want. I can cook, clean and play with Libby while Emma is being carried. I don't know how I would survive the first few months without one. Since Emma outgrew the wrap, I have been using both Ergo and Lillebaby. I love them both and use them for Emma and Libby. It is so much faster and better to carry them on a carrier when grocery shopping, going to the mall or to the park than using a stroller. In fact, I have three double strollers and four single strollers and right now none of them are being use. I even sold the other double stroller because it was still in the box.

However lately, I have not been wearing Emma at home. She still loves being carried but at 10 months old she no longer falls a sleep easily on a carrier. When she's cranky and wants to be carried I can't wash dishes, clean or cook while she's being carried in my Ergo or Lillebaby. She's at the age where she likes to touch anything and everything. So carrying front facing while washing a dishes or cooking is not such a good idea. I still have not mastered carrying Emma on my back by myself with using an Ergo/Lillebaby. Someone has to help me but my problem is that no one can help me. Libby who's almost 3 years old, I have no problem carrying her on my back alone. So for the past couple of months I have only been using my Ergo or Lillebaby while we are out or when I'm putting Emma to sleep. Most of the time, washing dishes and cleaning has to wait until my husband comes home.

When I learned about Kokopax, last year I honestly did not care for it. I don't even remembered entering a giveaway for it. But since I have been wanting to be able to carry Emma on my back easily (by myself) I wanted to give it a try. I was really excited when I was given the opportunity to review the Kokopax City Carrier.

The moment I took it out of the box I was in love with my Kokopax. It looks so much better in person. There was no assembling needed. It was ready to use! The instructions was very easy to follow. Actually, I was so excited to try it that I did not even read the direction! They sent me the stones print and I love it!

My favorite features

• It's very lightweight. It weights about 3 pounds. I can hardly feel a difference carrying Emma on an Ergo or Kokopax.
• Very easy to load and so much faster too. It's like putting a child on a high chair.
• I love the 5-pt safety harness. It gives me assurance Emma is not going to fall out or jump out of it.
• Very well padded shoulder straps. It gives you a lot of support and does not hurt your shoulder or back.
• It has a toy ring to attach koko or other toys. I love this feature. I attach it to the no throw for her bottles or sippy cups so it won't fall on the ground.
• It has a pocket. I can put my wallet or phone. It can even fit a diaper and wipes for those quick run to the grocery store.
• It can be use up to 2 years or 35 pounds. I know I will be using this for another year and hopefully for my next child (whenever that is)
• You can go HERE for more features.

I have been using my Kokopax for a few weeks and I love everything about it. I prefer using it than my other carriers. I love how easy it is to load Emma and carry her on my back without anyone's help. I can even put her down by myself. Every time she's cranky and wants to be carried or if I'm trying to protect her from her sister (because sometimes Libby likes to push, kick or poke her) I can still carry her and do other things such as wash dishes/bottles, cook or fold laundry.

Most of the time when Emma is being carried in the back she leans back when she's getting uncomfortable. But with the kokopax she never complains when she in it. She is very comfortable and has no problem falling a sleep while in it. I think the added back support really helps a lot. She can sit back and relax.

Another feature I love about the Kokopax carrier is that if I'm tired from carrying her I can put her down and my husband can take over and carry her without taking her out of the carrier. If she's hungry I can put her down and she can stay in in it while I feed her. It's like having a portable highchair! Every time someone sees me feeding her while she's in it, they are always amaze.

I have not left home without my Kokopax. We took it to Maine last week and camping last weekend.

Maine

waiting for daddy to come out from the bathroom...

Camping

Waiting for me outside the bathroom...

If you're looking for a carrier that will let you carry your child in the back easily, I definitely recommend Kokopax. They have three different types of carriers, eco-classic, classic, and the one I reviewed city carrier. You can purchase the city carrier for $99.99.

Kokopax also carries adorable baby sun hats that matches with their carriers. And for moms they also have Samantha diaper tote. It is not only stylish but also functional. I love how it does not look like a diaper bag. I think I know what I want for Christmas!

Kokopax is giving all my readers 10% discount on any order. Use coupon code luvtosave2010.

To learn more about Kokopax, you can "like" them on facebook and follow them on twitter.

Disclosure

I received the Kokopax for free

NO other payment was given. I was not obligated to

write a positive review.

This is my honest opinion, yours may be different.