It’s a new year, the perfect time to try something new!  Kids are always looking to try new things, and most of them especially like trying new technology.  If you have a tween in your household, you may want to check out a new social media geared for kids that will allow them to have that touch of independence they all crave while also being able to easily connect with family all across the country!

*This is a sponsored post on behalf of HiFiKiddo.  All opinions are 100% my own.

While most social media sites are not meant for use by kids, HiFiKiddo was developed with kids in mind.  It’s a great opportunity for them to learn the do’s and don’ts of sharing on social media in a much safer environment.

Do you have family that is out of town?  I know we do!

My sister’s family lives all the way out in Iowa.  Our kids get to see each other just one or two times a year.

Yes, my sister and I talk on the phone (A LOT!), but for kids the phone is not always an easy option.  When you’re 7 years-old you get distracted easily while on the phone…  My daughter is a rambler, who will just start describing everything she sees in the room…which loses the attention of the 7 year-old on the other end of the phone line who can’t actually see what she’s talking about.

Not only that, but just because your child is available to chat on the phone doesn’t mean his/her cousin is right there….  A child-friendly social media eliminates some of that rambling, and allows each of them to socialize with each other when it’s convenient.

So what makes HiFiKiddo different from all the other social media out there?

Unlike most other social media networks, HiFiKiddo strictly adheres to the Federal Trade Commissions Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).  

What does that mean?  Before a child under the age of 13 can join the site, verifiable consent and a working email address of a parent are required.

Still not convinced?

HiFiKiddo also has three predefined sharing circles:  Core Family, Family, and Friends.  As the parent you get to select the privacy level for each circle, which means you are the one to choose if they are allowed to share pictures with family members and only written messages with friends.

And my favorite feature?  All friend requests must be approved by a parent!

Why limit your child’s chance to connect with out of state cousins to just the holidays and summer time?  With HiFiKiddo cousins can easily stay connected throughout the year!

 Download HiFiKiddo from the App Store today!

  And now it’s also available as an Android App!

The post A New Year, a New Child-Friendly Social Media first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

(This is a sponsored post; I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.  

All opinions are 100% my own.)

Looking for a fun new book to give a child this holiday season?

I’ve got one for you to check out!

In the humorous book Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, by Peter Brown, Mr. Tiger is expected to act very proper, even though, deep down he really just wants to run wild.  It’s easy for little ones to understand how he feels, especially this time of year when they are so often stuffed into itchy dresses or little suits and expected to sit still and smile for pictures.

Mr. Tiger and all the animals in the book start off dressed in suits and walking only on their hind legs.  My son loved this part, immediately pointing out the fact that, “The animals are acting like people!”

The pictures help tell the story, starting off with mostly browns and blacks, and Mr. Tiger looking so unhappy as he wanders through town in his stiff suit.  

When Mr. Tiger goes off to the wilderness the blue waterfalls are a striking difference, along with Mr. Tiger’s huge grin!

I love the message of this book — that it’s important to be yourself!  Such an important lesson!

Something else that I love is the Mr. Tiger Goes Wild Activity Kit!  You can print out a tiger mask, characters to turn into stick puppets, a matching game, and other activities to go along with the book.  And, if you area planning to surprise a child with this book for Christmas, there are also Mr. Tiger Holiday Downloads!  Around here we like to decorate the tree with things that the kids enjoy — why not a character ornament from the book?

I have to say, there is one more thing the former teacher in my loves about this book.  While the book jacket is decorated similar to the pictures inside the book, there is a surprise underneath.  When you take the book jacket  off, underneath it’s tiger stripes!

I just love the symbolism of that!

It’s just like Mr. Tiger in the book, when he is dressed up all proper.  Underneath he is still himself, ready to taste the freedom of the wild!

After all, we all want to get a little wild every once in a while.

The post Mr. Tiger Goes Wild first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Argh!   Ahoy, Mateys!  Be ye ready for adventure?

Well, me hardies, climb aboard and give me an ear, for I’ve a tale to tell…

A tale to tell about a pirate book that is!

Pirates seem to be a favorite among many kids — mine included!  We have celebrated Pirate Day with plenty of pirate adventures, and have read  a few a bunch of pirate books over the years.

“Talk like a Pirate Day” is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate pirates than with a treasure hunt?

This week we had a little treasure hunt of our own before bedtime.

The prize?

A fun new pirate book and super cute stuffed animal — perfect for bedtime!

(This is a sponsored post; all opinions are 100% my own.)

Greenbeard the Pirate Pig, by Andrea Torrey Balsara, is fun book about a guinea pig named Greenbeard who starts off as a farmer and seeks adventure as a pirate.  Along the way he meets Snug Rumkin, a rat, who tries to teach him the proper ways of being a pirate.

My kids love the fact that Greenbeard chooses to carry a carrot for a sword; after all, he says, “If the sword were sharp, someone could get hurt!”

Part of the book includes a pirate song that Greenbeard makes up to sing.  I have to say it’s pretty catchy; my daughter was singing it to herself when she flipped through the pages of the book before she crawled into bed.  

Want your own copy?  You can find (affiliate link) Greenbeard the Pirate Pig Book and Toy Set on Amazon for $19.95.

However, in honor of  “Talk like a Pirate Day,” one lucky reader will receive their own copy of Greenbeard the Pirate Pig and adorable plush to share with their own pirate crew.

Entry is simple.  Just leave a comment telling me which pirates you’d like to share this book with.  The winner will be determined via Random Number Generator on Sunday, September 22, at 12:00 a.m. E.S.T.

(U.S. residents 18 and older only, please.  For full giveaway rules, click here.)

You can check out more about Greenbeard the Pirate Pig and the author by clicking here.

As stated earlier, we received a copy of the book and stuffed animal for the review.  All opinions are 100% my own.

This giveaway is now over.  Congratulations to the winner:  Chris Carter! 

The post Greenbeard the Pirate Pig first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

As parents we are always looking for healthy snack ideas for our kids.  And with the busy schedules that arrive at the start of the school year, when those healthy options are portable and easy for kids to eat on the go, it is definitely a plus!

That is why I was super excited to have the chance to try and review the Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers!  (This is a sponsored post on behalf of Del Monte, but all opinion are 100% my own.)

The first thing you will notice about the Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers is that they do not require a spoon to eat.  All of the yummy goodness is easily accessible through the straw-like opening at the top once the lid is unscrewed.

Worried your child won’t be able to open it on their own?  My four year old had his opened in record time.  And there was no stopping him once he started enjoying his apple cinnamon selection.

These would make a great addition to any lunch box.  But what I really like about them, and both of my kids do, too, is that they are great for in the car as an after school snack!

In fact, the day we received our samples in the mail, my little guy just could not wait to bring one for his sister to try.  (Of course, he was figuring he’d get another one that way, too!)

So, now you know they taste good, but just how good are they for you?

Each squeezer has 1 1/2 servings of fruit and vegetables.  (Anytime you can get those veggies in there, it’s a win to me!) Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers also contain no artificial colors or high fructose corn syrup.  Have you noticed how often “nutritious” snacks seem to have those unnecessary ingredients?

And let’s talk delicious flavors!  There are five to choose from:  Peach-Mango and Blueberry are both fruit and veggie blends. Then there are the simply fruit varieties:  Apple Cinnamon, Mixed Berry, and Strawberry.

We got to try both the Blueberry and the Apple Cinnamon.   Both were huge hits!  My son says blueberry is his favorite. (He didn’t even know there was carrot and pumpkin mixed with it.)  My daughter went crazy for the apple cinnamon.  I was lucky to get a tiny sip of each of them, and I have to say they are pretty yummy!

Want to try them out for yourself?

Del Monte has graciously decided to give one lucky reader a Del Monte gift pack identical to the one we’ve enjoyed!

The gift pack includes:  2 boxes of Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers, 1 Del Monte lunch box, 1 orange-shaped eco-friendly tote bag, 1 strawberry-shaped eco-friendly tote bag, and 1 mini Del Monte magnetic frame.

Enter the giveaway through Rafflecopter below.  The winner will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter on Sunday, September 15 at 12:00 midnight E.S.T.  Open to U.S. residents 18 and older only, please.  Void where prohibited.  For my complete giveaway disclosure, click here.

*Giveaway is now over.

And, to celebrate the start of the school year, Del Monte is holding a “First Day of School Photo Contest” on the Del Monte Facebook page.    Just upload an original photo of your child or yourself on the first day of school.  The top 20 finalists will be posted for fans to vote on their favorite photo.  The winning entry will receive a $10,000 donation to the school of their choice!

Submissions are being accepted now through September 7 at 11:59 CDT.

As stated previously, this is a sponsored post on behalf of Del Monte.  The Del Monte products, information, and two gift packs have been provided by Del Monte.  All opinions are 100% my own — and my children’s.

The post Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers Review and Giveaway first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Confession time:  My husband’s feet scare me.

Don’t laugh!  I’m serious!

They are scaly, dry, cracked…

Over our married years he has tried several different foot lotions and creams (per my request), but none of them seem to do much good.

So when Dermagist contacted me and asked if I’d like to review one of their products, I jumped at the chance to receive a complimentary bottle of their Foot and Heel Revitalizing Cream.  (Yes, I received this lovely bottle FREE for writing this review.)

My husband has had an opportunity to use it for the past 2 weeks.

The results?

His feet are definitely less scary!

You’ve seen the results…  But what is the product like to use?

First, I have to say I love it’s smell!  You can definitely smell the eucalyptus in it.  Love it!

Want to hear what my husband had to say?  “It absorbs into the skin faster than previous products I’ve tried.  It has kept my skin from being so dry.  It smells good and it doesn’t feel greasy, unlike many products.”

Want to try Dermagist’s Foot and Heel Revitalizing Cream for yourself, or maybe one of their other skin care products?

Dermagist has offered a giveaway to my readers to try a Dermagist product of your choice!

Interested?  Enter the giveaway below!

U.S. residents 18 and older only, please.  If you have won a Dermagist giveaway in the past,  you are not eligible to win.  For further giveaway terms, please check our entire giveaway guidelines.

This giveaway ends Monday, May 27, 2013.

Giveaway ended.  

(As mentioned previously in the post, I did receive a bottle of Dermagist’s Foot and Heel Revitalizing Cream to review.  This did not affect the opinions in my review.) 

The post Dermagist Foot and Heel Revitalizing Cream first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Mother’s Day.  What kind of presents do you like to receive?  What types of gifts have you given to your own mother or mother-in-law on that day?  For me, Mother’s Day gifts tend to be flowers.

We get hanging baskets for my mother-in-law so she can watch the humming birds that visit them each day.  We get some type of potted plant for my mother, and last year my husband took the kids and picked out a few hanging baskets for me, as well.

Are you looking for something different this year?  Maybe something more personal?

How about  custom shirts from CafePress?   You could have all the chidren’s names put on a t-shirt for grandma.  Or maybe you’d like one for yourself!   CafePress is the world’s premier customization site.  Customized t-shirt just not what you are looking for?  They also have a wide range of other products available for customization, including coffee mugs, wall art, tote bags, and stationary products.

Know someone who will be celebrating their first Mother’s Day this year as a mother?  Surprise her with a cute baby clothes or custom baby onesies.  After all, onesies are super cute and so easy to dress baby in!

Now, moms, I’d love to know, what Mother’s Day gift would you love to receive?

The post Looking for Mother’s Day Gift Ideas? first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.