With lots of holiday get-togethers and football parties, we are always looking for something quick, easy and satisfying to feed our family and friends. That's why I was excited to learn more about Tyson and their new Any'tizers QuesaDippers snacks.

The Any'tizers QuesaDippers snacks come in a variety of family pleasing flavors such as...Taco Seasoned Chicken with Zesty Garden Salsa and Fajita Chicken with Cilantro Lime Salsa. These tasty snacks combine flour tortillas, flavorfully seasoned all-white chicken and delicious Monterey Jack cheese. Each are also packaged with delicious salsa dipping sauces.

I have tried several of the Tyson Any'tizers before, and was especially happy to learn we were going to be able to review on of their QuesaDippers varieties. I love anything with salsa and was interested in trying out their Taco Seasoned Chicken with Zesty Garden Salsa.


The flavor is amazing and they couldn't have been easier to prepare. In no time at all we had a great appetizer the whole family could enjoy. I was really impressed with how good they are. You just never know when it comes to prepared foods in the freezer isle. My husband is not a big salsa eater, but even he enjoyed these tasty little snacks. He said he's looking forward to trying other Any'tizers varieties. I could see them coming in very handy when family and friends get together.

Whether it's a holiday party, a casual get together, or a simple sunday afternoon football game...I would highly recommend Tyson Any'tizers QuesaDippers! Delicious and convenient...they are a great snack to have on hand.

Buy It: Find them in the freezer isle of your local grocery store.

Win It: One lucky person is going to win a coupon for FREE Tyson Any'tizers QuesaDippers!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Tyson and let me know which variety of Any'tizers QuesaDippers you'd like to try.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- 'Like' Tyson Any'tizers on Facebook

2. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and Tyson Any'tizers) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

3. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a package of Tyson Any'tizers QuesaDippers! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/ihwcLu Ends 1/21

4. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

5. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

6. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

7. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

8. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

9. 1 extra entry- Share about this giveaway on your Facebook status by including a link back to this giveaway.

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 21st and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

As a busy mom of two little ones, I am always looking for ways to stay more organized. I found this to be especially important after the birth of our second baby. I not only was now looking after a toddler, but also caring for a baby which meant keeping track of the diapers, pacifiers, bottles, etc. Having products that help my day run more smoothly and make day to day tasks easier is a must...which is why I was thrilled when introduced to he HippMAMA Belt!

After the birth of her second child, Shannon realized the need for a product that would help her keep everything she needed with her all the time. Whether it be cups, pacifiers, rattles her cell phone, or something else...she didn't have time to be running around the house trying to keep track of them all. That's when the idea for the HippMAMA Belt was born...a stylish tool belt for moms that allowed her to carry everything on her hips.

The HippMAMA Belt is one of those products that has me thinking....why didn't I think of that. It's one of those must-have items that all moms need and should have. That's why I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review one.

• Sleek alternative to a bulky diaper bag
• Ideal for the at home mom or on the go
• Have all your baby needs at your fingertips
• Convenient easy in and easy out pouches
• Hands are free to care for children, push stroller,
• Perfect belt for outings and errands
• Great for mothers of multiples, nannies, caregivers
• Makes moms daily activities easier
• Wipes clean with wet cloth
• Made of durable neoprene, liquids stay cool/warm
• Belts have brown pouches with choice of trim colors

Upon pulling the HippMAMA Belt out of the box, I was already impressed with the way it came packaged. It comes in a durable plastic bag with snaps. I love having something I can easily slip it back into when it's not in use.

As I checked the HippMAMA Belt over for the first time, I was amazed with the quality. Made of durable neoprene, I can tell this is a tool belt that will last me a long time! The pictures online do not even do it justice. The stitching and fabrics used are high quality and something I really appreciate! I can tell a lot of time was taken to make sure this is something that will hold up to the wear and tear of daily use.

All the HippMAMA belts have brown pouches with choice of trim colors. I chose the orange (polka dots) and am so happy I did. It really suits my personality and I love that I can wear it with anything I'm wearing.

It couldn't have been easier to put on either. With the easy to use buckle, I am able to put it on and take if off with ease. I love that the belt adjusts easily and fits up to a 46 inch waist. It also includes an additional 10 inch extender...so it's sure to fit each mom perfectly.

With 5 pouches, all various sizes....I have a place for everything I need. I really like that they're different sizes, as it's easy for me to carry everything from a pacifier and cell phone, to large items like a sippy cup or diaper. The neat thing about the pouches is that they easily come on and off with Velcro. This allows me to place them anywhere around the belt and use as many or as few of them as I need. Customization is always nice, so this is something I really appreciate as well.


The belt includes:

• Bottle pouch
• Sippy cup pouch
• Cell phone pouch
• Diaper/Wip pouch
• Hidden zipper ID pouch
  
• Key ring
• Burp cloth or bib ring

Offering so many things, I've been able to use this many times instead of a diaper bag. Whether I'm at home or out running errands...it's come in very handy to have everything I need within reach. I could especially see this coming in handy in the summer time when we're outside at the park or on trip to the zoo.

Overall I've been very impressed with the HippMAMA Belt and would definitely consider it a Mommy Must-have for sure! I can't believe I have gone so long without something like this, but am so happy to have it now. The quality is great and the convenience and ease it adds to my daily routine is incredible.

Buy It: You can purchase the HippMAMA Belt for $39.99 in your choice of 4 different colors.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a HippMAMA Belt in the color of their choice.

Mandatory Entry - Visit HippMAMA and let me know which color you would choose if you won.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- 'Like' HippMAMA on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow HippMAMA on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and HippMAMA) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a HippMAMA Belt ~ The Tool Belt for Moms! ARV $39 #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/gHkgd9 Ends 1/21

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

10. 1 extra entry- Share about this giveaway on your Facebook status by including a link back to this giveaway.

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 21st and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by HippMAMA. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

My husband and I often talk about how different we are when it comes to sleep. He can lay in bed and fall asleep within minutes, sleeping the whole night through. Me on the other hand....I lay there for what seems like forever trying to fall asleep, only to wake up several times throughout the night to start all over again. I have been in need of something that will help the situation, which is why I was thankful to learn more about DreamEssentials.com.


Browsing the Dream Essentials website, I was amazed with all the products offered. This is exactly the type of company I've been looking for! With everything from sleeping masks to body pillows...they have it all! I was especially drawn to their Escape Luxury Sleep & Travel Mask and couldn't have been happier to learn I was going to have the opportunity to review one.

Features/Benefits:

• 100% light blocking
• Ultra comfortable
  
• Eye cavity
  
• Adjustable strap
• Available in 6 plush colors

When the Escape Sleep Mask arrived, I was immediately impressed with the quality. As I pulled it out of the box I could tell it was very well made and something that would last. The exterior is not only brightly colored and fun, but the micro-fleece is also very luxurious and plush feeling. So soft!!

Of course, I couldn't help but wonder if it would feel that soft on, so I tried it out. I was amazed with how comfortable it is! The sleep mask uses natural cotton for sensitive skin.

The Escape Sleep mask is contoured and sleek. It features an interior eye chamber to ensure that there is no pressure on the eyes, while still maintaining 100% light blockage. It is constructed of fully breathable foam and cotton. I have to admit I was a little unsure of how well it would work...but having used it several times, I am very impressed with how well it blocks out the light! This is much appreciated, as there is a street light that shines right in our bedroom window, keeping me from falling asleep many nights.

I also like that the strap is fully adjustable. With Velcro, it can be adjusted to the perfect size for the person using it. I have it fitted to a very comfortable size and love it!

Included with each Escape Travel Sleep Mask is a pair of soft foam ear plugs, earplug case and drawstring pouch. The earplugs have been great and I love that they come with a handy case to keep them in. I also appreciate the pouch which makes it easy to take the mask and earplugs in when we're away from home.


Having used the Escape Sleep Mask several times, I can definitely say that it's helped me sleep. In fact, I would recommend it to anyone who has trouble sleeping like I do. An eye mask is used to block unwanted light because complete darkness helps the body create its only naturally occuring melatonin... the body's own sleep potion.

Be sure to visit DreamEssentials.com and check out their large collection of sleep masks.

Buy It: You can purchase the luxurious Escape Luxury Sleep & Travel Mask for $19.95.

Coupon Code: Use coupon code DE967 during checkout and receive 15% off at DreamEssentials.com. Code is valid until January 25, 2011.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a luxurious Escape Sleep Mask of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Dream Essentials and leave a comment letting me know the name of another product you like.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- 'Like' Dream Essentials on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Dream Essentials on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and Dream Essentials) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

4. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a luxurious and comfortable Escape Sleep Mask from Dream Essentials! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/eJ4BND Ends 1/14

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

10. 1 extra entry- Share about this giveaway on your Facebook status by including a link back to this giveaway.

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 14th and is open to the US Only!

**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com and sponsored by Dream Essentials Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.**

Kaelyn has always enjoyed bath time, however...her love for playing in the water has only grown since Kaden got old enough to play in there with her. Watching the two of them splish and splash, laugh and play is such a joy...it's a special time that I truly enjoy spending with them. Although I love it, after several baths a week...I do find my knees getting sore from kneeling on the bathroom tile floor. This is the one thing about bath time I dread...that is, until I was introduced to the Cushnee Bath Kneeler.

After having two children and two sore knees from kneeling at the tub during bath time every night, two sisters created the Cushnee. As I browsed their website, I enjoyed learning more about this great product and couldn't have been happier to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review one.

Features/Benefits:

• Durable, water resistant foam
• Stylish design
• 100% cotton terrycloth
• Washable fabric cover
• Cushioned comfort
• 7 adorable appliques to choose from

When the Cushnee Bath Kneeler arrived I couldn't wait to check it out. Upon pulling it out of the box, I was immediately impressed with the quality. Although I had read all about it, I had no idea it was going to be this well-made! I could tell right away that it's going to be something that will last us a long time.

I also appreciated the cute bow tied around it. I love when companies take the time to package their products in a way that not only makes it cute, but also perfect for gift-giving!

The adorable design on the fabric cover caught my eye right away as well. It's cute, stylish and gives it a fun, personal touch. The Cushnee Bath Kneeler can even be personalized with monogramming, making it the perfect gift idea for any mom.


Of course, after checking it over, I couldn't wait to try it out. That night at bath time I laid it out on the floor and gave the kids a bath. I was amazed with how comfortable it was! The thick, water-resistant foam is not only durable, but also cushioned. It's firm enough to support my knees and keep them from getting sore after each bath, yet soft enough that it's incredibly comfortable! I can't imagine giving baths without this now!

I absolutely love the terrycloth cover. It is not only very soft, making it great for the times I am wearing shorts and have bare knees...but it's also washable! It slips right off the foam so I can easily throw it in the wash when I need to.

I am so happy to have been introduced to the Cushnee Bath Kneeler and can't believe I have gone so long without it. It has made bath time much more enjoyable and comfortable than using rolled up towels and bath mats. It's stylish, super comfortable, and easily washable! Having used it several times, I would definitely recommend it to other parents I know and think it would make a terrific gift for any new mom! Be sure to check out the matching terrycloth hooded towel too!

Buy It: You can purchase the standard Cushnee for $34 at Amazon.com and will soon be available at BedBathandBeyond.com, buybuybaby.com and allmodernbaby.com.

Win It: One lucky person is going to win a Cushnee Bath Kneeler!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Cushnee and leave a comment letting me know which Cushnee applique/design is your favorite.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- 'Like' Cushnee on Facebook

2. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and Cushnee) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

3. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a super cute and comfortable Cushnee Bath Kneeler! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/fHBS30 Ends 1/21

4. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

5. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

6. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

7. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

8. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

9. 1 extra entry- Share about this giveaway on your Facebook status by including a link back to this giveaway.

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 21st and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Cushnee. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

I have several winners to announce from yet another round of giveaways from our Checking Our List event! I apologize I didn't post these sooner, as with many people...I've been out of town and busy with family and friends for Christmas. All winners have been emailed!

Maukilo Toys Memo My Toys Matching Game Winner ~ Commenter #337, Tara
AdoramaPix Winner ~ Commenter #83, Mary
UMI Shoes Winner ~ Commenter #126, Teresha@Marlie and Me
GourmetGiftBaskets.com Winner ~ Commenter #182, lfhpueblo
Cafe Press $30 or less item of choice Winner ~ Commenter #122, diana
Crafty Kids Playhouse Winner ~ Commenter #217, Erika
Curious Chef Cookie Cutter Set Winner ~ Commenter #89, brandi elam

Thanks again to everyone who entered! Be sure to check out all of my current giveaways along the side bar...many are ending this week.

With winter often comes colds and the flu for many people. It's so important that we do what we can to help prevent the spread of germs to keep ourselves and others healthy, which is why I was excited to learn that Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes and Bill Nye the Science Guy have teamed up to teach children about the importance of clean, germ-free hands.

As Kaelyn gets older and more independent, it's more important than ever that we help her understand how important keeping our hands clean really is. That's why I was thrilled when asked if we'd like to take part in an opportunity to do four germ experiments designed by Bill Nye the Science Guy.

We were sent a Wet Ones Healthy Hands Zone kit with all the necessary supplies to conduct some really fun science experiments.

We began with a really simple, yet incredibly important one on how 'Germs Get Around'. I don't know about you, but since germs aren't something we actually see, I often forget just how 'germy' many of the surfaces are that I touch on a daily basis. The problem is...if we touch something with germs on it, it's easy to pass those onto friends and family members if we don't keep our hands clean. I really wanted to help Kaelyn understand this, and knew a hands-on experiment would be the best way.

The Germs Get Around experiment designed by Bill Nye the Science Guy required the use of glitter and Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes.

As you'll watch in the video, by sprinkling glitter (germs) on one of our hands, then shaking hands...we could see just how quickly germs can spread.

Just in the few seconds we shook hands, quite a bit of glitter got on my hands.

It really shows how important it is that we keep our hands as clean as possible....as it's so easy to pass on to others. The best way to do this is to wash with soap and water, however, that's not always possible. Like many families...we're on the go a lot which is why I'm thankful for Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes. They clean better than alcohol-based gel hand sanitizers and are just as effective in killing 99.99% of germs! Available in larger canisters, they are perfect for home or on the go. The handy packets are great for a diaper bag or purse. Between the both, there's no reason we can't keep our hands clean no matter where we're at. We were able to use the Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes and clean off the glitter very easily.

For more information about fight germs and Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes...be sure to visit the Wet Ones Healthy Hands Zone. It's full of great information and video demos of the germ experiments by Bill Nye. I've enjoyed browsing around and have really learned a lot. It's easy to navigate a site I'd recommend to anyone with children.

Be sure to check back, as I'll be posting about the other three experiments and how they went.

**Energizer Personal Care provided the supplies and Flip UltraHD video camera for this review at no cost to me. This review is not being administered or sponsored in any way by Playtex or its affiliates, but solely by A Mom's Balancing Act. Any questions or comments regarding this review must be sent o me at A Mom's Balancing Act and not to Energizer Personal Care.**

Although I knew that I wanted to incorporate animals somehow into Kaden's 1st birthday theme, I really didn't know where to start. Thankfully, shortly after beginning to plan, I was introduced to Celebrate Express when planning Kaelyn's birthday and couldn't have been more thrilled to find the amazing selection of 1st birthday party themes there as well.
With the desire to help busy people celebrate life's special moments, Celebrate Express offers party supplies and costumes all in one convenient location. They currently operate four brands you may be familiar with: Celebrate Express, Birthday Express, 1st Wishes, and Costume Express. They offer great costumes and a complete, accessorized product assortment for chidren's birthday parties. With over 150 different themes to choose from...you're sure to find one that suits your child just perfectly!

Browsing around 1st Wishes for 1st birthday themes, I was immediately drawn to the Safari Friends theme. With Kaden's love for animals and a monkey cake already planned....I knew this would be absolutely perfect and couldn't have been happier to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review the Safari Friends Deluxe Party Pack.

Includes:

• 8 invitations
• Lion and elephant dinner plates
• Hippo and giraffe dessert plates
• Cups
• Forks
  
• Spoons
• Napkins (2 per guest)
• Tablecover
• Centerpiece
• Foil Balloon
• 18 Balloons (3 colors)
• Curling Ribbon (3 colors)
• Crepe paper rolls (3 colors)
• Cone hats
• #1 candle
• Cake candles
  

As I opened the box, I was thrilled with the array of colors. This set could easily be used for either a boy or a girl and I knew it would make Kaden's birthday so bright and fun! I also appreciated that the party pack included everything we would need. Having two kids with birthdays so close together, it's nice when a company like Celebrate Express has the busy parent in mind and includes everything in one kit. It saves me time and money because I don't have to go shopping for everything separately. YAY!

I was excited to get everything set up to see the finished product. I loved how colorful and fun it all looked once we were done. We received several compliments on the great centerpiece (which couldn't have been easier to put together), fun crepe paper which I put above the doorways and the adorable plates. The kids especially loved the different animals.

I forgot to take a picture with the centerpiece on the table with everything else, but this is it...it was perfect!

There were even forks, spoons, cups and napkins included. I mean it when I say this set had it all! We had everything we needed for our guests.

Since this was a 1st birthday party pack, it included a #1 candle and party hats too. The party hats were a big hit with the toddler age children that were there especially. What a fun way to celebrate. We even put one on the center of his cupcake stand to add to the theme.

Kaden blowing out his #1 candle

Another big hit with the kids were the fun balloons. This set comes with 18 balloons in three different colors. We blew up a lot of them and had them scattered throughout our house, but also had many of them put into arrangements. There were even orange ones with the number 1 on them and I absolutely loved the foil lion balloon...isn't it adorable?!

I couldn't have been happier with the Safari Friends Deluxe Party Pack. It was the perfect way to make Kaden's 1st birthday party fun and special, while making it super convenient for my husband and I to get set up. I love that Celebrate Express thought of everything from the decorations to the invitations. We will definitely be turning to them again for our party planning needs, and would recommend it to other parents we know as well! With everything from Minnie Mouse to Construction Pals there's sure to be birthday supplies for kids with all interests!


Buy It: You can purchase the Safari Friends 1st Birthday Deluxe Party Pack for $44.99.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Deluxe Party Pack in the theme of their choice (up to a $39.99 value)!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Celebrate Express and leave a comment letting me know which theme you might choose if you won.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- 'Like' Celebrate Express on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Celebrate Express on Twitter

3. 1 extra entry- Sign up for the Celebrate Express Email Newsletter (bottom of homepage)

4. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to both this post and Celebrate Express) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

5. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN a Deluxe Party Pack (up to $39.99 value) in theme of your choice from @Celebr8Express #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/eyEGdG Ends 1/14

5. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

6. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

7. 2 extra entries- Become a Fan/Like A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

8. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

9. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 14th and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided at no cost by Celebrate Express. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

Christmas is just a few days away, can you believe it?! It came quickly this year, and although I'll admit I do still have a few more gifts to wrap....I think I'm finally finished with all my Christmas shopping. How about you? I probably did at least 90% of my shopping online this year and had great luck finding the perfect gifts for family and friends. Thanks to Coupon Trunk, I was once again able to find many great deals as well.

Coupon Trunk helps me find deals and coupons quickly and easily. No matter what I'm looking for....toys for the kids, home decor, or something else...their site is a very valuable resources for online shoppers like myself who are looking for the best prices. With updated discount offers and promo codes going up daily, I know I'm always going to find the most current deals too.

As I shopped this holiday season, I referred to the Coupon Trunk many times and was thankful to come across many great coupon codes. I've turned to them several times in the past and absolutely love how easy their site makes it for me to search for deals. Many times I know exactly what store I'm looking to buy from, so for example, I simply search for Walmart deals and they pop up. Or...if I was looking for great holiday promotions in general...I searched those keywords and got a whole list of stores, like Best Buy for instance...that had some great discounts available!

I always find Coupon Trunk to be incredibly easy to use and convenient...especially for busy moms trying to finish up their Christmas shopping online (or shopping any time of the year). It's great and a site I recommend to others who enjoy shopping online as much as I do.

How about you...did you do most of your Christmas shopping online or in the store this year?

**This was a paid post, however all opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

I could sit and watch my kids play all day long. Watching their creativity and imaginations at work is one of the best things in the world. It's such a fun time discovering and exploring...figuring out new things and coming up with new ways to play with toys. As Kaelyn gets older she is especially into play that challenges her and allows her to think 'outside the box'. That's why I was excited when introduced to Arc-a-Teks by toymaker, WABA Fun.
WABA Fun designs manufacturers and markets educational children's toys under popular brand names such as Moon Sand and Bubber. They are dedicated to providing products that inspire imagination and encourage children to be creative with their own playtime. For those who are familiar with them, you may have heard of their award-winning Superstructs line of building toys....vibrant plastic rod and connector style construction toys. Well...now there is a new series of Superstructs called Arc-a-Teks.

When I first learned of Arc-a-Teks I had a feeling it would be perfect for Kaelyn. That's why I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review all three sets (Earth, Sea and Sky).

When the Arc-a-Teks arrived, I was immediately impressed with the way they are packaged. I love that each set comes in a plastic tub. This makes it very easy to keep everything together when we're not playing with them so we don't lose any pieces.


Once Kaelyn caught a glimpse of the new toys, she couldn't wait to try them out. Each of these Arc-a-Teks are actually 40-42 connector pieces, enough to build two complete Arc-a-Teks characters at the same time! We have had such a great time creating and using our imaginations.

There is an easy-to-follow instruction booklet which makes it super simple to make any one of the characters from these 3 sets. At 3, Kaelyn needs a bit of help at times...but for the most part she was able to find the right pieces and follow the directions. I think it helps that the pieces are different colors as well as being sized perfectly for little hands.

Although we have enjoyed making each of the characters, it's also been fun watching Kaelyn come up with all kinds of creations on her own too. That's the neat thing about a set like this...it's great for teaching little ones how to follow directions, but also encourages creativity, imaginative play, problem solving, and more!

I have yet to see Kaelyn get bored with any of the Arc-a-Teks sets. She thoroughly enjoys the open-ended play they provide and is so proud when she creates one of the characters or a new one on her own. Since there are so many small pieces, we've had to be careful when playing with them around Kaden....but Kaelyn does pretty good about keeping her small toys away from him...so that's been helpful.

Each set also comes with collector cards that reveal each Arc-A-Tek's name, details and a secret code to unlock an additional Arc-A-Tek online.

Overall we've been very happy with the Arc-a-Teks building sets. Kaelyn has really enjoyed the freedom it gives her to build and create. I think it would be a great gift idea (for Christmas or any time of the year) for any child around the preschool or Kindergarten age.

Buy It: Arc-a-Teks are affordable, priced at just $9.99 each. They can be found at Toys R Us.

Win It: One lucky person is going to win their choice of one of the three Arc-a-Teks Sets (Earth, Sky or Sea).

Mandatory Entry - Visit the Arc-a-Teks website and let me know which of the 'characters' is your favorite.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 3 extra entries- blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Arc-a-Teks) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

2. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#WIN an Arc-a-Teks set of your choice! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/e4mLkC Ends 1/14

3. 2 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

4. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

5. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

6. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

7. Enter any of my other current giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 14th and is open to the US Only

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way. **