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November 21, 2008
The Secret Mountain books
Books make great holiday presents. I'm always searching for something a little different for my girls. It's overwhelming when you're in a book store and want to find something and go. But if you're looking for books for some special little ones in your life this holiday season, you won't want to miss The Secret Mountain's collection of books.
What makes these books so special is that each one comes with an accompanying CD which features music and compliments the books. If you were thinking that the music might be some kind of annoying kid tune that gets stuck in your head for all eternity, you would be wrong. If you've ever had a massage, then you know the type of music I'm talking about. The music is very Enya-ish, is soothing and pleasant. The CD's have been a big hit in this house, and there's finally some kid music that I don't mind!
The books don't disappoint either. We were given three books to review: "Dream Songs Night Songs: From Belgium to Brazil," "A Duck in New York City," and "Down at the Sea Hotel." After the delightful stories, the books have pages of songs and music. The stories themselves are very sweet and the illustrations are vibrant and inviting. Our personal favorite is "A Duck in New York City" which is just plain adorable and fun.
If I had to point out a negative, I might say that the stories are a little on the short side. Then again, these are perfect bedtime story books that won't have you falling asleep in your child's bed like I sometimes do. There really isn't anything not to like about this collection of books, so if you're looking for some unique holiday gifts for the children in your lives, you should definitely check them out.
For their bright illustrations, interesting stories, and great accompanying music, BBM gives The Secret Mountain books. . .
November 18, 2008
Bella Sara
It took me a good year to jump on the Webkinz bandwagon. I thought that stuffed animals were fine as is. Why did they need to have codes and online persona's? I begrudgingly logged my daughter in one day and then found myself logging in for her while she was at school to "get her some extra Kinz Cash. Yeah right. I liked playing the games.
Bella Sara takes the online persona thing to a different level. With music that sounds like something you would hear while getting a massage and beautiful imagery throughout the site, Bella Sara is a little girls' dream.
We were given a couple packs of trading cards and each card has a different horse or horse-like character on it. Once logged into the Bella Sara site, you plug in the code numbers from each trading card and you're off.
Like Webkinz, Bella Sara allows you to customize your own cottages. You also have to take care of your horses by filling up their water, feeding them apples, oats, and bottles if they're babies. You also have to brush your horse and clean out their stables with the handy Bella Sara tools that are provided.
There is something about feeding an internet horse an apple because my daughter and I spent a good hour taking care of her horses tonight. There are also inspiration messages throughout, encouraging you to be kind to friends, etc. There are plenty of messages on there that are worthwhile and important for young girls.
For the new Bella Sara participant, there are helpful tips on each page that help you figure out what to do and where to go. There's a boutique to buy things for your cottage and there are also plenty of fun and addicting games to play.
If you have a young daughter who happens to love horses or unicorns, you'll want to pick up a pack of these trading cards and get her started. Bella Sara trading cards are available at Walmart, Kmart, Target, Toys R Us, etc. One pack of cards sells for about $3.99. There are also other products available, including games for Nintendo. Who knew? We've come a long way from the Garbage Pail kids of my day, huh?
My only criticism is that certain areas of the website could be more clear, the cottage for example. It took us several tries to make it into one of our actual cottage rooms. If Bella Sara could make the general areas of the site as user-friendly as the horse stable area, I'd be even happier.
For being a pleasant place to visit online with a daughter and for putting out there a product that actually addresses kindness and consideration between people, BBM gives Bella Sara. . .
November 12, 2008
“Inside the Wire” by Erik Saar and Viveca Novak
There's lots of talk in the news these days about Gitmo. A seemingly black hole in the war on terror, the prison at Guantanomo Bay has always been controversial. While the general public hears the basics from the media, we don't really know what it's like inside. "Inside the Wire" takes you there.
Erik Saar, co-author of the book, shares his 6.5 month experience as an Arabic translator and army Seargeant, in vivid detail. It is a book that sends chills up your spine. It is a book that will have you debating well into the night as to whether or not Gitmo is serving its purpose and whether or not its purpose is just.
First working in the detainee cells as a translator and then working as a translator in interrogations, Saar presents a graphic and disturbing visual of what has been happening in Gitmo for years. While at Gitmo, Saar is able to speak with many of the detainees. His conversations with them are eye-opening and important for every American to read:
"Mustapha was confounded when I explained to him that Christians' motivation to do right comes from their gratitude for God's love and forgiveness, rather than fear of judgment alone. This was incomprehensible to him. He didn't believe in a loving God, nor did he know if he was assured paradise. He genuinely hoped the Americans would kill him so he could be certain of becoming a true martyr."
The detainees' views of women are also startling as Saar relays some of his conversations with the detainees. When referring to the women soldiers at Gitmo, one detainee says:
"I'm not a fool; there is no way these women in uniforms are really here as solidiers? Do you think we are stupid? All of the detainees know the truth-that they are here to service the real soldiers."
As disturbing as the conversations with the detainees are, there's something even more bothersome. Gitmo has not been easy on our soldiers. While the detainees are held without charge, some of our military get stuck there, in a psychologically trying place with a mix of people that is ripe for conflict.
"Inside the Wire" is a book that every American should read. It opens your eyes to the thinking of those we are up against in the war on terror. It shows you how hard our military works to keep us safe; and it brings to light what's been happening in Gitmo since the first detainees started to arrive.
BBM gives "Inside the Wire". . .
November 9, 2008
Barbie and The Diamond Castle DVD
When you review a movie, you're supposed to be able to watch it in order to review it. But when a certain video gets put into the van DVD player, and when two little girls enjoy said movie so much that they want to watch it every second of every car ride. . . well, Mommy doesn't get to watch the movie.
However, I have heard the movie plenty. I've also heard the singing. I've heard the song "Connected" sung at the top of a certain 3-year olds lungs while being pushed through endless aisles as Target. I've heard both of my girls sing all of the songs in a perfect little girl duet from the back seat.
In fact, despite the fact that I haven't actually seen the movie, I pretty much know it word for word for word because my girls do too.
When I asked my daughter what she thought of the movie, her answer was simple and to the point. "Well Mommy, I just love it. It's the best Barbie movie."
When you ask my 3-year old what she thinks of the movie, she'll break out in song and demand that you join her. We've been singing a whole lot of "Connected" around here lately.
If you're looking for a movie for your girls that will help them get along in the car and make them sing beautiful duets together, look no further.
"Barbie and The Diamond Castle" is your DVD.
BBM's girls give "Barbie and the Diamond Castle". . .
diamonds, hearts, butterflies and sunshine.
BBM gives the movie. . .
Will I ever get those songs out of my head????
November 7, 2008
Ghirardelli Luxe Milk Chocolate
When you're asked to do a blog tour for chocolate. . . let's just say that I was probably the first responder. I'm a chocolate girl. While dark chocolate is always my first choice, I won't turn down any type of chocolate. I can't think of a single reason why one would.
I tried all five varieties of the Ghirardelli Luxe Milk Chocolate line and they don't disappoint. These chocolate bars are rich and creamy, just like the advertisements tell you. The five varieties are: Milk, Hazelnut, Almond, Crisp and Duet. The Milk variety absolutely melts in your mouth. It is a very smooth chocolate and it doesn't take much to satisfy a chocolate craving when you have even a square of this bar around.
The "Hazelnut" bar is quite yummy too, although if I had to choose a nutty chocolate bar, I'm going to choose Almond every time. The "Almond" is absolutely divine. The almonds are in just the right size and there's enough almond in every bite.
The "Crisp" bar is an upscale Krackle bar with a hefty amount of "crisp," while the "Duet" bar is an absolute genius concoction of a thin layer of dark chocolate topped with an equally thin layer of milk chocolate.
My favorites were the "Duet" and the "Almond" variety. Yes, I said "were" with good reason. Each chocolate bar is 3.0 oz. with a suggested retail price of $2.29. If you see this chocolate bar in stores, it's high time to reward yourself with one.
BBM gives the Ghirardelli Luxe Milk Chocolate bars. . .
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