Archive | November, 2008

ProductAlphabet Circus DVD by Rock N Learn

Smarty Pants Review
You know you have found a winner when the 1st thing your munchkin says when she wakes up in the morning is “Apple Circus!” My 2 year old munchkin LOVES Alphabet Circus, and for some reason calls it Apple Circus. The Alphabet Circus DVD is fantastic. While the graphics can’t compete with Disney or the like, the content is EXCELLENT. The circus ringmaster teaches the alphabet by sings through each letter, making the letter sounds and finding words of the circus that begin with the letter. The tune is catchy, and I promise you’ll be singing the song all day – it’s one of those that easily gets stuck in your head! This DVD gets HUGE THUMBS UP for Smart Mamas. Tell Santa to put this under the tree, in my recommendation for little ones aged …

And we have a winner!!!! The winner of the Smarty Pants Product of the Week Giveaway is Lisa! Congratulations!!!! I am certain that you will enjoy sharing this VTech Sing and Play Piano with a special Munchkin!
Lisa said…I just subscribed by google reader, I think this would be an awsome gift for my little one.
Thank you to the very many readers who participated in the giveaway! I hope you all become regular readers!
Smiles,Smarty Pants Mama…a.k.a Caroline

Below is the CPSC recalls I received this past week. Please be sure to review the information provided. All information below comes directly from the listserve emails sent by the CPSC. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information.
Smiles
Smarty Pants Mama

Name of Product: Young Colors Children’s Hooded Jackets

Hazard: The jackets have drawstrings through the hood and at the waist. Children can get entangled in the drawstrings that can catch on playground equipment, fences or tree branches. In February 1996, CPSC issued guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstring in upper garments, such as jackets and sweatshirts. From 1985 through June 2008, CPSC received reports of 27 deaths and 70 non-fatal incidents involving the entanglement of children’s clothing drawstrings.
Description: The cotton knit and woven hooded jackets have a drawstring …

Product: VTech Sing & Discover PianoRetail Value: ~$30Entry Dates: Today – Sunday, November 30, 2008, 12:00 PM ESTWinner Announcement: Sunday, November 30, 2008 via blog posting and email.How to Enter: Share your favorite children’s song!Earn up to 3 more entries by posting additional comments (entries) to let me know you have:

subscribed to my blog.
posted the SmartyPantsMama.com button on your site! (please include blog address)
blog about this giveaway or this blog on your blog! (please include blog address)

Other Tiny Details: Product will only be mailed within the 48 continental states. One entry per person. I will contact the winner via e-mail by Monday, December 1, so please be sure I know how to get in touch with you if you win!!! If no contact info is provided it automatically disqualifies your entry. Winner selected by Random.org.

ProductVTech Sing & Discover Story PianoSmarty Pants ReviewThe VTech Sing & Discover Story Piano has been a tremendous hit in this house! My daughter who will be 25 months this week, was, as usual, my product tester. This product provides many minutes (that’s VERY LONG in toddler time) of entertainment! From the story book to our favorite, the karaoke microphone, my daughter has thoroughly enjoyed playing with this toy. I was impressed, and to be honest a bit surprised, that a product designed for 12+ months could be so worthwhile for a 2 year old. I had assumed that the features would be too “babyish” but that is certainly not the case. The lights, the sounds and the educational components (shapes and colors) makes this a hit for babies AND toddlers! Let Santa know to put it on your munchkin’s list!Why is it a …

And we have a winner!!!! The is winner of the Smarty Pants Product of the Week Giveaway is ANDREA V! Congratulations!!!! I am certain that you will enjoy sharing this Barbie Playset with a special Munchkin!
Andrea V said…I read daily, just not a subscriber.
Thank you to the very many readers who participated in the giveaway! I hope you all become regular readers!
Smiles,Smarty Pants Mama…a.k.a Caroline

I know we are all in shock that Thanksgiving is less than a week away! Can you believe it?!?

This week I wanted to share one of the most delicious recipes that I have learned from my husband, his mother’s cookbook to be exact (http://www.lulu.com/content/4754256). It is the most delicious stuffing that I have ever eaten! I will actually be baking it and bringing it this year to my mom’s Thanksgiving dinner. Can’t wait!

Sausage Stuffing
3 lbs sausage1 loaf Italian bread
fresh parsley – chopped, use to taste (not too much)
1 clove garlic – minced
1 16 oz package of mozzarella, cut into small cubes
grated Parmesan – to taste
salt – to taste
pepper – very little
2 eggs, beaten
oil

Heat large pan. Add a little oil. Remove sausage from casing and crumble into pan. Saute sausage until cooked, about 15 minutes. There shouldn’t be any liquid left in the pan.

Cut off the crust from …

Below is the CPSC recalls I received this past week. Please be sure to review the information provided. All information below comes directly from the listserve emails sent by the CPSC. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information. Smiles Smarty Pants Mama

Name of Product: My Little Train Classics Toy Trains

Hazard: The recalled toy contain small parts which can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Description: My Little Train Classics wooden toy trains are available in two styles. One, with a yellow cab, blue body and six red wheels and the other with a blue cab, red boiler, wooden base and four black wheels. The item #5293 is the same for both styles and is located in the lower left hand corner on the front of the package.
Sold at: Various wholesalers and retailers nationwide from March 2007 through October …

Smarty Pants Product Giveaway
Product: Barbie I Can Be – TV Chef
Retail Value: $14.99
Entry Dates: Today – Sunday, November 23, 2008, 12:00 PM EST
Winner Announcement: Sunday, November 23, 2008 via blog posting and email.
How to Enter: Are you Smarty Pants Mama regular reader, or is this your 1st visit? Please share a comment to enter this week’s giveaway!Other Tiny Details: Product will only be mailed within the 48 continental states. One entry per person. I will contact the winner via e-mail by Monday, November 24, so please be sure I know how to get in touch with you if you win!!! If no contact info is provided it automatically disqualifies your entry. Winner selected by Random.org.

ProductBarbie I Can Be – TV Chef PlaysetSmarty Pants ReviewThe Barbie I Can Be -TV Chef Playset provides is a modern role model for young girls. The TV Chef comes with all the accessories imimaginable to be sure the chef is already for her filming! The Barbie very much mirrors the popularity of TV chefs from Rachael Ray to Martha Stewart, plus this playset gives young girls the opportunity to whip up a fantastic meal alongside their favorite Barbie doll!Why is it a Smarty Pants of Product? We constantly yearn for appropriate role models for the little girls in our life. The Barbie I Can Be – TV Chef provides an appropriate example of an aspiring career.Retail Value$14.99Websitehttp://barbies.everything.com.girl/

The winner of Elfing Around is…. Leann!

Congratulations! I am certain that your family will very much enjoy this holiday’s visit from the Elfing Around Elf!
Thank you to all the many, many readers for participating in the giveaway!

Here’s a great side dish for Turkey Day! It’s easy and very yummy! Thanks to my aunt for the recipe.
Corn CasseroleServes 12 – 15
Ingredients2 whole eggs (beaten)1 stick butter (melted)1 can cream corn1 can kernel corn (drained)1 pt. sour cream1 box Jiffy cornbread mix2 tablespoons sugar
Mix together. Pour in glass 9×13. Bake at 325 for 45-60 minutes.Enjoy!

Below is the CPSC recall I received this past week. Please be sure to review the information provided. All information below comes directly from the listserve emails sent by the CPSC. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information.

Name of Product: Best Friends Yin Yang Necklaces Sets
Hazard: The recalled necklaces contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Description: This recall involves a set of two necklaces that have a silver-colored metal bead type chain and a lobster-claw clasp. One of the necklaces has a single, metal pendant with the word “Best” attached to a black, yin metal pendant. The other necklace has the word “Friends” attached to a white, yang metal pendant.
Sold at: Claire’s stores nationwide from April 2007 through August 2008 for about $8.

To see this release on CPSC’s …

Product

Elfing Around
Smarty Pants Review
What a wonderful idea!!! Elfing Around provides the opportunity to start a great, fun tradition with your munchkins! Each Elfing Around package includes a tremendous amount of activities, from tattoos to a letter from your Elf! Most importantly your family Elf arrives, ready to spend the pre-Christmas weeks getting your munchkins even more excited!Very clear directions are included, to guide you on the steps to introduce the Elf to your home. Your child will anticipate waking up each morning before Christmas to find the Elf and see what note he/she has left behind.Last year I used a similar type Elf with a class of Pre-K/Kindergarten students. I would place the Elf in a different location each morning. The Elf was there on behalf of Santa to monitor the behavior of the students. Wow, how it worked! What I especially like about …

And the winner is…Renee!
Congratulations Renee for winning the Smarty Pants Product of the Week, the Scentsy Warmer and Wax!

Renee said…I would love to try the cinnamon cider scent! It sounds perfect for fall.cookiert at yahoo.comNovember 8, 2008 4:32 PM

Thank you readers for the record breaking number of contest entries!

Here’s a yummy autumn recipe for you to try this weekend! It’s easy and YUMMY!

Pumpkin Bread

Dry Ingredients
2 cups sugar
3 1/3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp nutmeg
3 tsp cinnamon
1.2 tsp cloves
1 cup raisins
1 cup nuts (optional)
Wet Ingredients
4 eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups pumpkin (1 small 15 oz can)
2/3 cups water

Mix dry ingredients well.
Mix wet ingredients well.
Mix dry and wet together.

Grease 2 bread pans (5×9) or 3 (4×8)

Bake 1 hour at 325.

Enjoy!

Piece of the Week # 5 – The Paper Towel Roll

Ok, I need ideas from my SMART MAMA readers!!! Besides a handy telescope or megaphone, how can this “green” family reuse the near half a dozen paper towel rolls that sit in our recycling can each month??? Please post a comment with your paper towel idea!

Recap for Week #4 – My Pumpkin!!!

Well, I didn’t receive any ideas electronically but I was kindly reminded by my husband to make some yummy pumpkin pie!!! That’s the plan for the weekend!!!

Below are the CPSC recalls I have received over the past week. Please be sure to review the information provided. All information below comes directly from the listserve emails I received. Please see the CPSC website for further, more detailed information.

Name of Product: Cybex Treadmills
Hazard: The treadmills can speed up unexpectedly while in use due to a malfunction with the lower control board, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
Description: The recall involves the Cybex 445T, 455T, 530T, 450T, 500T, 515T, and 520T treadmill models. The treadmills are black and gray with rectangular uprights. The 530T style treadmill is 81 inches long by 32 inches wide. The 445T style treadmill is 72 inches long by 32 inches wide. The treadmills have a display panel on a console as wide as the treadmill. “Cybex” and the model number are written on the console.
Sold at: …

First Name: Nathan

Birthday: October 19thAge: 3Likes: Outdoors, wrestling, running, climbing, anything active.Dislikes: Bedtime

Product

Classic Scentsy Warmer
Smarty Pants Review
Stinky diapers, shoes, rotten milk…you name it…the smell lingers in this house!I’ve always been a smelly candle kind of girl, but things have certainly changed with a toddler always on the go, trying to climb where she shouldn’t and reach where I don’t want her!A few months ago I came across the exact solution for my no more candles dilemma…Scentsy!!! Scentsy warmers use the heat of a light bulb (just 25 watt) to melt a fragrant wax block. As the wax block melts, the aroma is unreal. The scent spreads around the room, even better than a really good, and expensive, scented candle. But, and most importantly, no fire danger!The scents: Dozens, upon dozens of Scentsy Bars to choose from! There are holiday scents, pretty floral scents and the yummy, makes me hungry, baked cookie type scents!The …

And we have a winner!!!!!

The winner of the Smarty Pants Product of the Week Baby B’Air Flight Vest is….lauren s.!!!!

lauren s. said…

I’ve learned that nursing during take off and landing really helps relieve pressure in your baby’s ears.

Congratulations Lauren!!!

Thank you to the many, many wonderful SMART MAMA readers who entered this week’s giveaway!!!

Smiles,Smarty Pants Mama