Chuggington – New Playset and Giveaway

Chuggington is great fun for kids of all ages on TV, and even more fun when playing with the tracks and play sets associated with the characters.  Some of the most fun sets are inspired by actual episodes.  We are going to take a look at two sets of Chuggington track sets, Koko’s Ice Escape and the Twists and Turns Expansion.  Both of which are great sets for different reasons, Ice Escape lets kids reenact a classic episode and Twists and Turns get the creative juices flowing.

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First up is Koko’s Ice Escape Action Playset.  The play set is based on the episode of Chuggington called “Frostini’s Meltdown”.  In the episode the power goes out and Frostini has to keep his ice cream from melting.  The Chuggers help Frostini get to the ice tunnel to save the day.  The play set features Koko and is a windy twisty track.

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Since this track is for the new die cast trains, the tracks are able to stack upon each other to bring the excitement to the next level as well as stimulate some outside the box thinking.  There are a few possible track combinations, but the real fun starts once everyone has a firm grasp of what the tracks can do and how they fit best together.  Little Man really likes this set because of the swirls and turns in it which translate to more levels of fun and bigger stacked tracks.  The play set itself also includes bridges and overpasses as well as a frosty cargo cart to pull around.

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Next up is the Twists and Turns Expansion.  This pack can be added to any other die cast track set.  With the 15 pieces included it is easier then ever to have your play set reach for the sky or connect multiple sets together for one mega set with trains going in every direction and tons of fun.  The way track building works in our house is Dad and Little Man build the tracks together, then eventually Little Man smashes the track when they are almost done playing.  Im not sure who has more fun, Dad craming as many twists and turns into one set or Little Man once its all done and its almost time to smash it.  Either way they both have a great time working together and sharing their vision of the Chuggington world.
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Crashlings – Landing In Stores

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Pic via salefinder.co.nz

Pic via salefinder.co.nz

There is a new batch of creatures coming to Earth in meteors.  They are the Crashlings.  Like many other small collectibles they come in various kinds of critters including, Aliens, Monsters, Sea Life, Dinosaurs, and Insects.  In total there are over 150 figures including hard to find and rare figures.  Rare figures include nifty gold colored special edition Crashlings and silver colored Ultra Rare Crashlings.  What separates Crashlings from the other small collectible figures is the containers.  Each figures comes in a meteor.  The meteor can be used in play time or can be used to pop up to 4 feet into the air.  There are even 2 games you can pay with the Crashlings.  They are:
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Rabbids – Yeah They Are

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Rabbids are loud, irritating, and invading.  They have invaded video games for years starting with Rayman Raving Rabbids.  The Rabbids burst onto the scene with mini games and insanity.  The main idea behind the Rabbids is vicious and unintelligent.

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Jumping off the screen into the toy box is the line from Mcfarlane Toys, Rabbids Invasion.  The Rabbids are available in many forms, plush, sound blaster, sound and action figure, and mini figures.  Today we are looking at the sound blaster and the sound and action figures.First up is the sound blaster.  This toy is shaped like a plunger gun, but has a Rabbid sticking out of the front of it.  The blaster has 15 Rabbid sounds including the famous Bwah and flatulence as well as burps and other fun bodily functions, all of which make kids of all ages giggle.  (From grown men to little ones.) The toy itself is loud and irritating, but that is kind of the point with Rabbids, so it hits its mark quite well.
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It’s Raining Super-Men

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

The little, plastic kind- sorry ladies.  While that may be bad news if you are shopping for a husband, it’s great news if you are shopping for a son, nephew, or superhero loving child.  There are toys to go with movie blockbusters, TV shows, cartoons, and even a few just because.  What’s hotter then a superhero, really?  For kids, I mean.  Toys. Totally.

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Why is it so many superheros seem to have multiple personality disorders?  They want to save the world, they are distraught and angry, they are filled with angst, they feel responsible, they feel lonely, they push people away, they cling to friends, they occasionally go off the rails (I’m looking at you, Spiderman) etc etc etc.  Now, you can intentionally confuse your superheros- well, those in the Marvel Universe, anyway- by mashing them up with other heroes and villains.  Take the head of Iron Man, the body of Thor, the legs of Hulk, and the arms of Dr. Doom and make your own super-confused-super-humans.  Actually, maybe it IS a good way to shop for a man….Well, there you go.  Fun for kids, for fun superhero enthusiasts, and fun for mom.  What’s not to love?  Prices range from $10 – $20 on http://www.hasbro.com, also available in most stores that sell toys.

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Got a kid who is really into Power Rangers?  Or perhaps just waxing nostalgic yourself.  The Power Rangers have morphed through more sets of super-rangers since it’s origins in 1992 then I care to shake a stick at, were I inclined to shake sticks.  (19 seasons and nearly 100 Rangers total later, the show is still going strong.)  My little brother watched the original Rangers back in the stone age when I was a kid, and I once dressed up as “Tommy, the Green Ranger” at a birthday party which confused all the kids at the McDonalds I was working at, since Tommy is not really a girl.  Hey- I was the only one short enough to fit into the costume on that shift that day.  The Power Rangers are an institution, and going nowhere. They are still making movies and TV episodes, and my son and his friends look forward to the new toys as much as my little brother did a thousand years ago.  So, what’s new in Power Rangers?  The Legacy MegaZord is a return to the original, after celebrating 20 years of Power Rangers saving the world.  This latest Megazord has all the original details from the first toy, but improves it with diecast metal pieces for durability. It comes with a Ranger Key that can be used to open it’s chest. Good for collectors and fans of the current show alike. The Mystic Dragon Zord and Green Ranger set is also inspired by past seasons, and connects to other parts of the Zord Builder collection.   Any 4 inch figure or Power Ranger Key can work with the Dragon Zord, and it comes with one Power Ranger Key as well as the Green Ranger.  The Legacy Megazord and Mystic Dragon Zord can be used together. Roughly $35 and $16 depending on your place of purchase.
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Battle of the Greek – 100 Strawberry Yogurts

Across the country there are taste tests going on between two rivals, in one corner Yoplait Greek 100 Strawberry yogurt and in the other Chobani Simply 100 Strawberry.  So with these taste tests going on why not hold one of our own?

pic9The first step was easy, supplies.  I went over to the local supermarket and grabbed a few of each contender.  It was test time.  Next up my ‘guinea pigs’, I invited a few friends over and laid it out for them.  These two yogurts are the same type, same flavor, also both were served in the same way.  Both yogurts came out of the fridge at the same time so their temperatures were the same.  Once scooped out both servings were the same as well.
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Kohl’s for Mother’s Day

Disclosure: The below was provided for me in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Looking for the perfect place to shop for Mom?  Or maybe your wife- since some of the kids are too small to shop on their own, dad’s or partners will have to help out a little. One of my favorite stores to shop at has always been Kohl’s- while I will shop anywhere that strikes my fancy, there are only a handful of stores that I consider myself a loyal shopper of, and Kohl’s is one of them.  Check out my closet (and those of my husband and son as well) and my housewares if you’d like to verify, haha.  I love Kohl’s because they have everything for everyone in your family, as well as housewares, outdoor supplies and furniture, even travel gear.

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They also have awesome sales, you can get Kohl’s cash (free money to spend in the store just for making purchases) to use, and shopping is easy both online and in stores as well. Also, as a bonus, my son often gets to choose a stuffed toy at the end of the register if he’s a good boy the whole trip.  Now, I always expect good behavior from the kiddo, but with the high quality and adorable toys and books that Kohl’s offers for just 5$ (and the net profits going to organizations that benefit children) I never mind spending it and letting him have one.
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Week 3 of Nutrisystem #NSNation

This might be my third “official” week on Nutrisystem, but it’s really my first.  I sort-of did it my first week- being away for all of it made it hard, and the second week I was on a cruise with no food allowed to be taken on the ship, so.  The first week I did lose a pound, the second week I don’t count for anything, but this week?  I gave it my full attention.

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I made a few mistakes, like with the shakes (I thought you drank one a day, but with the “Lose 5 Fast” system, they want you to do two a day- oops!) but figured this out by calling my Nutrisystem counselor and asking a whole lot of questions. But all in all it was a success- I am down 6 pounds this week, and I am really excited about that.

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As far as diet food goes, I really thought the food was going to be terrible.  But it’s not- honestly.  I’ve had a pretty good variety by now, and none of it has been bad. Most of you have been reading me long enough to know I say it like it is, and it’s fine.  Will you still miss all the food that made you fat?  Yes, of course!  Ha.  But this is good- it’s not something I dread having to eat.  The shakes are not chalky, and the food (even the shelf stable stuff) is pretty good.  I like the shelf stable because it’s portable, and the frozen because it adds a nice variety to the foods offered (and so far the frozen has been a little better then the shelf stable most of the time, taste wise- but it’s still fine either way).
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Win OfficeMax Gift Package Worth $100 – DiVOGA and the New Neutral

Disclaimer: I received the DiVOGA products from OfficeMax in order to facilitate my review. The DiVOGA products featured in this giveaway are also provided by OfficeMax and will be sent to the winner directly. Opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own. I have not been compensated for this post in any other way.

With Spring comes a natural need to freshen up your personal space.  One of the most overlooked spaces to update is your office.  Be it at home or elsewhere, your office could definitely use some freshening up and I don’t mean a new air freshener or a bunch of new pens and pencils.  I mean with new supplies and accessories.  OfficeMax is the perfect stop for all your office needs including this Spring re-fresh.  One of their most popular lines is the DiVOGA workspace collection.

With bold designs and patterns DiVOGA is a great way to spruce up your desk.  With their newest line there is a step sideways from bright and vibrant to the new neutral, cork.  This line has a natural Earthy look and feel.  The line includes: Tote Bag, Magazine File, Journal, Tablet Case, Pencil Cube, Cellphone Case, Compartment Tray, Padfolio and Document Wallet.
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