My daughter is not able to take a long list of prescription medicines including many antibiotics because of a cardiac condition. She has a sleep disorder and needs to stay hydrated to prevent other medical problems. Antioxidants can help prevent sickness, electrolytes can help with hydration and the combination of ingredients can increase energy (These statement have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration).

When I buy vitamin supplements I look at all of the ingredients and the safety of the product. I found the Emergenc-E uses natural ingredients instead of food dyes and is free of gluten from wheat, oats, rye, and barley. From the Emergen-C site:

We test 100% of our incoming raw materials to confirm that what we received is what we ordered. We use very sophisticated laboratory equipment that takes a near infra red fingerprint of all incoming raw materials, and it compares that fingerprint to our approved raw materials library. If it does not match, the ingredient is rejected.

Another thing I like is that Emergen-C contributes 25 cents for each box sold to Vitamin Angels, who provide essential nutrients for one child for a year. You can help out by taking the Emergen-C Kidz Pledge on Facebook because another 25 cents will be donated for each pledge. You can also learn more about their vitamin supplements on their page.

Review- Emergen-C Kidz is a fizzy drink mix packet. For ages 2 & 3,  mix half a packet daily with 2-4 oz of water and for ages 4 & up, mix one packet daily with 4-6 oz of water. The more water you add, the less flavor. Play around with it a bit to see how much water to add for your child’s taste preference. My daughter doesn’t like drinks that are too sweet, so we went with the 6 oz. of water. I understand the need for individual packets, but I can’t help but worry about the waste this makes. And I wish the boxes were made from recycled material.

Giveaway – Sample packages of Emergen-C in Fruit Punch, Orange, and Grape.

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends September 27th midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over within the USA
3. One submission per household (not entry)
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org
5. Winner has 2 days to claim prize via email

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about your decision to give or not give your child vitamin supplements and why.
2. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID
3. Follow this blog on Bloglovin’ Please leave a comment that you did.
4. Share this post on Facebook by using the button at the top of the post. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Facebook ID.
5. Leave a meaningful comment (not “great post” or “thanks for sharing”) on another blog post that isn’t a giveaway. Please let me know which post.
6. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet):

Win Emergen-C Kidz Vitamins @ConnieFoggles #giveaway #health http://bit.ly/oX4ISZ  PL RT

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Emergen-C and received samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Giveaway Ended

Summer time is a great time for crafts! Whether it’s a rainy day, one of those days that you’ve heard “I’m bored” too many times, or you’re holding a play date at your house. The Creativity for Kids Fashion Headbands kit is a fun project for children to do alone, for a group of children or for moms and daughters to work on together. With the array of accessories your child’s imagination will be put to good use.

Made up of 10 satin headbands, rhinestone, flowers, feathers, yards of ribbon, craft glue, etc. and an insert that is used to allow the headbands to dry, set up and clean up are easy. The instructions are easy to follow and the examples get your creativity flowing.

You can find the Creativity for Kids Fashion Headbands kit online for sale for $19.99 and you can find where they are sold near you by using their store locator.

When my daughter, Alicia was visiting, my two daughters made two headbands together. They had a blast! The great thing about crafts is that when you are working together, you can still talk, laugh and most importantly bond. The Fashion Headbands kit allows you to just add a bow or flower or to do it up even more with ribbon, rhinestones, etc. If you chose you can change the simply made headband later.

Giveaway – Two lucky Brain Foggles readers will win a Creativity for Kids Fashion Headbands kit

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends July 11th midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over within the USA
3. One submission per household (not entry).
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winners have 2 days to claim prize via email.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about a type of craft that your child enjoys.
2. Use the Facebook Like Button under this post. Leave a comment that you did so.
3. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID.
4. Like BrainFoggles on Facebook. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Facebook ID.
5. Follow this blog on Bloglovin’/
6. Follow Creativity For Kids on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID.
7. Use the Retweet button. Please leave a link to your tweet.
8. Leave a comment on another blog post that isn’t a giveaway. Please let me know which post.

I received a Creativity for Kids Fashion Headbands kit for purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Giveaway Ended.

The Mythbusters Weird World of Water is for children ages 9 and up, but with an adult’s help younger children  can take part in busting the myths and learning about the properties of water. Included in the kit is a activity guide that is filled with tons of information all on it’s own. Of course there’s the directions for the various projects, but there’s also questions to get your child’s mind thinking. There’s a number of experiments that can be done with this kit and parts needed for them are included. You do need to have some household items on hand. So be sure to read through the directions first.

My daughter and I went to a friend’s house with our kit to share the fun. We chose to make a rocket first because it was the most exciting and challenging of the experiments. The directions were a bit confusing, but once we put our heads together, it all fell into place. It helps to look at the pictures and read the directions at the same time!

On our first try, the rocket just popped, but didn’t fly. Second try, it fell over. But we didn’t give up. We realized that the stopper was too tight. Once that was fixed, the rocket soared up to 20 feet into the air! The children (and adults) were so excited. Taking time out to read the activity guide, we asked the children about the myths we uncovered, and that led to a give and take discussion. The children played with the rocket at least a dozen times. The balsa wood, which was part of the rocket broke after a few uses, but the children were creative and placed the rocket in a small cooler.

The excitement that was transferred to interest and curiosity was evident as the children listened intently to the questions in the activity guide. I give the Mythbusters Weird World of Water a thumbs up!

Elmer’s is teaming up with Scientific Explorer, one of the distributors of Mythbusters hands on science activities, to make it easy for children to create science projects. Elmer’s offers display boards, foam boards, stencils, markers and more. Although we didn’t create an actual project for display, I know these will come in handy soon.

Giveaway – Mythbusters Weird World of Water and Elmer’s Foam Board and Project Popperz

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends May 23rd midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over within the USA
3. One submission per household (not entry).
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner have 2 days to claim prize via email.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about a science project your child has done or is interested in.
2. Use the Facebook Like Button under this post. Leave a comment that you did so.
3. Follow Scientific Explorer on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID.
4. Follow ConnieFoggles on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID.
5. Follow Elmer’s on Twitter. Please leave a comment that you did along with your Twitter ID.
6. Subscribe to the Scientific Explorer You Tube Channel. Please leave a comment that you did along with your You Tube ID.
7. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet)

#Win Mythbusters Kit and Elmers products @ConnieFoggles #giveaway http://bit.ly/ieLqhI PL RT

I was provided with the Mythbusters and Elmers products. All opinions are my own.

Mega Bloks has come out with another Dora the Explorer building set. Along with the bath tub and vanity you’ll find all kinds of accessories to help Dora get washed up, her hair done and dressed. Dora is included with 2 different skirts. She’s called a Build and Dress Dora. Lots of fun for just one child to play with, but more can join in too. Add another Mega Bloks set, especially a Dora one and watch the smiles grow.

There’s so many options for this playset. Only your child’s imagination holds the boundaries. Setting up, taking apart and moving the Mega Bloks around helps develop fine motor skills. Dora’s Bath Time Playset is a great example of an eductainment toy because of the learning benefits that can be gained from playing with it.

I shared Dora’s Bath Time set with my friend’s children. As soon as they saw Dora on the box, they were excited. After opening the box for them, they were able to set up the playset with very little help, just using the picture on the box as their guideline. The girls pretended to give Dora a bath, to brush and blow dry her hair and to take pick a flower for her. They imagined that she was going out for the day, so she needed to change her skirt too.

You just need to see the smiles and looks of determination on the girls’ faces in the photos to see how much fun they were having. Available at Kmart, Target and Walmart for the MSP of $14.99. Also available on Amazon.com

The Mega Bloks Family Club offers coupons, discounts and information about Mega Bloks, including when new toys are coming out.

Dora Bath Time Playset by Mega Bloks provided by Team Mom for my review. All opinions are my own.

Mega Bloks has come out with another Dora the Explorer building set. Along with the bath tub and vanity you’ll find all kinds of accessories to help Dora get washed up, her hair done and dressed. Dora is included with 2 different skirts. She’s called a Build and Dress Dora. Lots of fun for just one child to play with, but more can join in too. Add another Mega Bloks set, especially a Dora one and watch the smiles grow.

There’s so many options for this playset. Only your child’s imagination holds the boundaries. Setting up, taking apart and moving the Mega Bloks around helps develop fine motor skills. Dora’s Bath Time Playset is a great example of an eductainment toy because of the learning benefits that can be gained from playing with it.

I shared Dora’s Bath Time set with my friend’s children. As soon as they saw Dora on the box, they were excited. After opening the box for them, they were able to set up the playset with very little help, just using the picture on the box as their guideline. The girls pretended to give Dora a bath, to brush and blow dry her hair and to take pick a flower for her. They imagined that she was going out for the day, so she needed to change her skirt too.

You just need to see the smiles and looks of determination on the girls’ faces in the photos to see how much fun they were having. Available at Kmart, Target and Walmart for the MSP of $14.99. Also available on Amazon.com

The Mega Bloks Family Club offers coupons, discounts and information about Mega Bloks, including when new toys are coming out.

Dora Bath Time Playset by Mega Bloks provided by Team Mom for my review. All opinions are my own.

Aurora’s Are We There Yet collection was released for parents of children aged 3 – 7, just in time for spring break or the busy summer travel season. Featuring Cheeky Charlie and the gang, you’ll find Gerome the Giraffe, Lion, Panda, Frog, etc. They’re soft and cuddly but each serves a purpose.

Backpacks are fully functional and include a lead for those crowded places when your child wants to walk on his or her own. Neck rests keep sleepy heads supported whether on a plane, in a car or stroller. ID tags can be hung on your child’s belt loop or backpack. Write your cell phone number and name for safety.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Aurora a number of times. Each time has brought us smiles! Whenever my daughter and I see Aurora plush at a store, we both have to stop, look and touch. Sammi is happy to have become a part of the Aurora family.

Giveaway

An Aurora “My Name Is” ID tag

Rules

1. Contest starts now and ends April 27th midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over from US or Canada .
3. One submission per household (not entry).
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner have 2 days to claim prize via email.
6. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about an item that you take for your child when you travel.
2. Tweet this exactly. You may tweet this daily: (leave a link to your tweet)

#Win an Aurora plush ID tag @ConnieFoggles #giveaway http://clicky.me/51u3 PL RT

I was provided with a backpack and neck rest by Aurora. All opinions are my own. An affiliate link is included.

Giveaway Ended

Every month a winner is chosen and receives a $50 gift card and free Scientific Explorer products. Open to children, parents and teachers. The great thing is that you’ll have fun while learning!

Look forward to a review and giveaway of a Science Fair project soon!

I surprised my friend’s daughters with the all of the toys at their house and we had a mini Zhu Zhu Puppies party! It was a scene of excitement, with Layla (2), Leah (3) and Lauren (7) going to town helping their mom Leanne and me open all the Zhu Zhu Puppies goodies. Even her son, Christian, age 6,  got into the act of helping put the Bark de Triomphe play set together. Thank goodness that they had the puppies to play with as we tried to figure out how to assemble the play set.

The instructions leave a bit to desire as they are an illustration showing the parts and then the assembled item. There’s nothing written to tell you which part goes where or even a diagram of how the pieces should be connected. It took trial and error to get the play set together and we still had 2 parts left over. The kids were thrilled though and the playing began.

The girls loved brushing the puppies’ hair, dressing them up, cuddling with them and listening to them chatter. Of course putting them in the playset, which is like a palace, and watching them zip around was their favorite activity. It kept 3 girls happy and that’s saying a lot!

Leanne was happy to know that there are many other puppies, more outfits and playsets that can be purchased for her girls. She know has the start of a new toy collection for her girls.

Watch the girls as they play with Murphy and Sabrina in the Bark de Triomphe:

I was provided with the 2 Zhu Zhu Puppies, an outfit and the playset by Cephia and MomSelect. All opinions are my own.

She’s been seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist and thankfully, nothing was found to be wrong. He did suggest that she drink more fluids and eat more fiber, which she has been doing for about 3 years now. Her symptoms still occur quite often though. She doesn’t have food allergies and more recent tests by our pediatrician have found nothing wrong. Our doctor says that she has a sensitive stomach.

For the past two weeks, I’ve added Culturelle for Kids to her favorite breakfast drink, water. It doesn’t have any taste so she just drinks it down. She still has had some bouts of nauseau, but not as often and as severe as before using Culturelle. She’s had normal BM’s without any cramps too.

We’ve tried probiotic yogurts before, but Sammi doesn’t like the taste. I learned that Culturelle for Kids doesn’t contain sucrose, artificial coloring or preservatives and is dairy free unlike yogurts. That makes it a real plus to use every day. And because it contains Lactobacillus GG,

…one of the most clinically studied probiotic, or “good bacteria”, in the world. The good bacteria safely and naturally displace the bad bacteria, supporting kids’ natural defense systems, and reducing digestive upset.

I feel that I’m doing the best to keep Sammi healthy and free from tummy troubles.

Get two $1 off coupons on your purchase of Culturelle for Kids, which comes in a box of 30 packets, good for one month of use.

I wrote this review while participating in a Mom Central Consulting blog tour on behalf of Culturelle. I received a Culturelle for Kids product sample and a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Sellers – As a consignor, you make 65% of your sales. You price your own items, so you know exactly what they are selling for.  Just register for a consignor number, make your tags, tag your items and then drop them off for inspection on Tuesday, March 1st, between 1pm and 7pm or Wednesday, March 2nd between 8am and 10:30am.

Shoppers – Shopping starts on March 3rd at 9 AM at the Tampa Bay Baptist Conference Center. Be there early for first dibs on the varied items that you need and want!

Pre-Sale Information – You can shop for free at the pre-sale event on March 2nd from 4 – 6 PM,  if are pregnant with your first child, have had your first child in the past 12 months, have adopted your first child in the past 12 months, are a foster parent, have not attended a First-time mom pre-sale at any previous JBF Tampa events, are the member of a military family.

Volunteers – Have your consignment fee waived and earn more money on your sales when you volunteer. Instead of 65%, you’ll earn 70%, plus you’ll get to shop before anyone else, even before the Pre-Sale event:

• 12-hour Volunteers – volunteer 3 or more shifts – Shop at 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 2nd
• 8-hour Volunteers – volunteer 2 or more shifts- Shop at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 2nd
• 4-hour Volunteers – volunteer 1 or more shifts -Shop at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011.
• NOTE: Most volunteer shifts are divided into four hour time slots.  If you are wanting to get a longer pre-sale pass, you do not need to work all qualifying hours on the same day and they do not have to be worked by the same person, ask a responsible teenagers, husband, grandmother, etc.

My Review – I have been both a seller and buyer at JFB North Tampa for the past 2 years. There items for sale are good quality since they are inspected before they hit the sales floor. Many items are brand new. The prices are fantastic! As a seller, I’ve made good money each time. I do volunteer and it is a fun atmosphere. If you’re there for 4 hours, you’ll get some food and of course a break. Expect to meet friendly people and watch the time fly by. Don’t forget to like the Just Between Friends of North Tampa Facebook page to keep up on the latest news and find out about giveaways from blogs.

Consignment Sale Dates and Times
Thursday, March 3 – 9am to 7pm ($2 Admission or Free with a donation to the Pajama Program – brand new pajamas or a book)
Friday, March 4th – 9am to 5pm (Free Admission)
Saturday, March 5th – 8am to 2pm (Free Admission and Half Price Sale)

Location of Just Between Friends
Tampa Bay Baptist Conference Center
15601 Lake Magdalene Boulevard
Tampa, Florida  33613

Time is of the essence. Register to sell, to volunteer and to attend the Pre-Sale consignment sale at Just Between Friends of North Tampa today.