Between the family get-togethers and holiday baking/cooking, I find December to be the one month out of the year that I spend the most time in my kitchen. I have always enjoyed baking, especially Christmas goodies...but could do without the mess and cleanup afterward. You'd think a dishwasher would be the answer, but truthfully...ever since we moved into our house I've thought something was wrong with our dishwasher. Our "clean" dishes were continually coming out with spots and food residue...not to mention the fact that they were always wet and needed to be towel dried! That's why I was thankful when given the chance to try out Finish Jet-Dry.

I have often overlooked the simple solution of filling up the Rinse aid compartment next to the detergent dispenser in my dishwasher and was hoping this simple solution would be the answer I've been looking for.

Since receiving the Finish Jet-Dry we've used it several times. We have been very impressed with how well it works! This advanced rinsing agent works powerfully alongside our regular dishwashing detergent to wash away food and chemical residue. We've been really impressed with how clean our dishes come out. There's no more film or food residue left on any of the dishes. YAY! It really does give them a sparkling clear shine.

Not only that, but I've been really happy with the fact that Finish Jet-Dry ensures that no moisture remains on the dishes. When I open up my dishwasher of clean dishes, I've liked finding dry dishes that don't need extra towel drying before getting put back in the cupboards. It's one less thing I have to do now, and I appreciate the time it has save this busy mama.

Being able to test this out during the holiday season has been really great. It has given more time to enjoy with my family and friends without having to rewash or towel dry dishes after they've already been cleaned. I've been really impressed with the dishwashing results of Finish Jet-Dry....for us this product has really lived up to what it says it will do. It's definitely something I'd recommend to others.

You can learn more by visiting the Finish website.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a bottle of Finish Jet-Dry of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Please leave a comment letting me know if you've ever used Finish Jet-Dry before.

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 Finish Jet-Dry) 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 a bottle of Finish Jet-Dry! http://bit.ly/rOf2jB Ends 1/4

3. 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)

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. 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 (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 4th and is open to US Only!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Finish and received a Finish Jet-Dry product sample to facilitate my review, a sample to giveaway, and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate

A couple of years ago we bought our daughter a birthday present, only to have it break the same day she opened it. What a disappointment it was for her and us! I felt so bad that the product we bought was so cheap and useless. Ever since that time I do my best to only buy high quality toys that will hold up to the wear and tear of daily play. Thankfully, I know I can count on Step2 for just that!
Founded in 1991 on the simple philosophy of quality, value, and service backed by commitment to customer satisfaction, the Step2® Company was born. What began as a company with just 5 employees has grown tremendously over the last 20 years..becoming the nation's largest toddler toy manufacturer offering a huge selection of high quality children's products that build imaginations and enrich the family's celebration of childhood. In their quest to become the leader in developing innovative products for family and home, Step2 strives to go 'A Step Beyond'.

I have been a big fan of Step2 for a long time. Not only do they offer high quality products, but also a fantastic selection that offers something for every interest and age. I never get tired of browsing their user-friendly website and have looked through their products a lot this holiday season. One thing that caught my eye for both of my kids was the Double Play Sports Baseball & Golf Set...so when I learned we were going to have the opportunity to review it, I couldn't have been happier.
Features/Benefits:

• Removable tee doubles as a putter
• Tee base doubles as a putting green
• Includes 1 baseball bat, 2 balls, home plate/green tee/putter, and wall hanging bracket that attaches to a garage wall
• Minimal adult assembly required

When the baseball & golf set arrived, I was excited to get it out of the box and check it out.
Pulling everything out of the box, I was happy to see that there was VERY little assembly required. This was much appreciated, especially since I had two kids very excited to try it out.
To set it up as a tee, the golf club simply slides into the whole and twists to secure to the base. There's a dip in the top of the tee for the ball to set.
The ball is a really nice size. It's large enough for even the youngest of children to hit with the bat. I love it for both my 2 year old and 4 year old! The bat is also a nice size and makes it easier to hit the ball as well. Kaelyn and Kaden have both really enjoyed playing baseball with this set.

As I said, the removable tee also doubles as a putter. The kids were excited about this, as they see and hear about golf a lot from my husband and my dad. To set it up as a putting green, simply twist the tee out of the base. You now have a putting green and a putter. The kids have enjoyed hitting the balls onto the green. Once again, the size of the ball and the putter make it easy for both Kaelyn and Kaden to hit the ball and play.

Overall, the kids have really enjoyed this set a lot. I love that it's not only for baseball...but also golf too. Having versatile products like this for my kids is something I really appreciate. It saves money, as we're essentially getting two products in one. It's also a lot of fun for the kids and helps them work on important motor skills and hand/eye coordination. Aside from the fun this toy provides, it is also easy to keep everything together thanks to the wall hanging bracket that attaches to a wall. The blue piece secures to the base and can then be hung on any wall. The putter, bat and balls can then be placed on the bottom to keep everything together. Once summer comes around again, we will be hanging this in our garage so it's easily accessible for use outside. In the meantime though, the kids have been enjoying using it indoors too!
Whether it's a Christmas gift, birthday gift, or something just because...I would definitely recommend the Step2 Double Play Sports Baseball & Golf Set. The quality is fantastic and it provides hours of fun for kids of all ages.

Buy It: You can purchase the Step2 Double Play Sports Baseball & Golf Set for $19.99.

You can also connect with Step2 on Twitter and Facebook .

*The product for this review was provided at no cost by Step2. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

Winter means fun in the snow, but also means bitter cold weather and a lot of time spent indoors as well. As a stay at home mom, it's times like this that I'm always trying to come up with fun, educational activities the kids and I can do together. That's why I love Learning Resources.
The leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational materials for classrooms and learning toys for the home, Learning Resources has been a trusted source for educators and parents for more than 25 years! With a diverse product line of over 1300 products focusing on everything from mathematics, science, early childhood, reading, etc...it's no wonder Learning Resources is a name known around the world.

Over the past few months you've heard me talk a lot about Learning Resources. As a former preschool teacher and now a mom of young children, they are a company I've come to appreciate over the years. I love that they are dedicated to developing quality educational products...the kinds that build a foundation of skills through imagination and fun. I have had the opportunity to review several of their products and couldn't have been happier to learn that one was going to be the Peek-A-Boo Color Muffins.
Features/Benefits:

• Reinforces color recognition, matching and fine motor skills
  
• Encourages imaginative play, peek-a-boo play and fine motor practice
• Includes 5 durable plastic 3 piece muffins that store in rotating stand
• Stand measures 4.5"H x 7" in diameter
• Recommended for ages 2+

We have several activities and games geared toward Kaelyn's age, but fewer that Kaden can easily participate in as well. That's why I was excited to see that this particular product was geared toward his age and ability level.

My first impression as I looked at the box was how many bright colors there were. Kaden and I have been working on our colors and I had a feeling this would be something he and Kaelyn would both really like. I was right!

We took the pieces out of the box and found everything we needed to get started. The set includes 5 durable plastic 3 piece muffins that store in a rotating stand.
I love that this can be used in so many ways...giving lots of opportunity for creative play and active learning! Both Kaelyn and Kaden really enjoy matching the correct color of fruit with the same color muffin. As we do this, we can work on color recognition which is great.
The kids also like to use the muffins on the rotating stand for pretend play as well. They both love to "cook" in their kitchen and having these new muffins to share with friends and family when they visit has been a lot of fun for everyone.

Aside from matching, working on our colors and being creative through pretend play...this toy also helps with those fine motor skills. Popping the muffin tops on and off, as well as placing the fruit inside each one helps strengthen little fingers and refines motor skills.

As I mentioned, there's also a rotating stand. It's fun for play, but is also perfect for keeping the muffins organized when the kids aren't playing with them. Having a great place to keep everything together is much appreciated.
We've really had a lot of fun with the Peek-A-Boo Color Muffins. I love how simple and open-ended this toy is. It's perfect for both Kaelyn and Kaden, and given the quality Learning Resources is known for...I know it's something that will last and be something Caysen can enjoy someday too.

If you're looking for educational activities and toys for the children in your life, I'd definitely recommend this and other products from Learning Resources.
Buy It: You can purchase the Peek-A-Boo Color Muffins for $17.99.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Peek-A-Boo Color Muffins set of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Learning Resources and let me know another product you'd love to have.

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

1. 1 extra entry- Like Learning Resources on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Learning Resources on Twitter

3. 1 extra entry - Subscribe to the Learning Resources You Tube page

4. 1 extra entry - Following the Learning Resources Blog on Google Friend Connect

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Learning Resources) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 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 Peek-A-Boo Color Muffins game from Learning Resources! http://bit.ly/tU0TmB Ends 1/4

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end January 4th and is open to US Only!

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

Kaelyn and Kaden sure love their little brother!
Speaking of little brother...Caysen had his 1 month appointment this week. In three weeks he has gained just under 2 lbs and grown over an inch. Our little boy is growing so fast!

Although I love the smell of candles, I do not like the risk of having an open flame, both for the obvious fire hazard, as well as the potential danger it has for my curious little ones who would probably try to touch it. That's why I've become a big fan of candle warmers. They are a great alternative to lighting a candle and give off the same great fragrance.

A few weeks ago I shared our review of Candle Warmers, Etc with you. If you missed it, be sure to head over and check out our thoughts on the adorable Jack O Lantern Plug-in Fragrance Warmer...great for the Fall season. Here is a little information about the company in case this is your first introduction to them...

Founded in 2001, the idea behind Candle Warmers, Etc was conceived when it was realized that there should be a different method used to release fragrance from a candle. Over the years this company has continued to grow, recently ranking them by Inc. 500 as the 57th fastest growing consumer product's company in the US. Offering candle warming appliances and other related giftware appliances and accessories to accent and fragrance the home, Candle Warmers Etc. also domestically manufactures and distributes candles under the Jamie Clair brand of hand-poured, scented candles bringing both wicked and wickless candle options.

From our review, you can see we were impressed with the candle warmer we received. That's why I was happy to also have the opportunity to review their Santa Fragrance Warmer...perfect for Christmas and the winter season.
As I pulled itout of the box, I thought the warmer was really cute. My kids did too! They were instantly drawn to the fact that it was Santa and thought it was a lot of fun to look at. As with the plug-in warmer I reviewed, the Santa warmer was larger than I expected which was a pleasant surprise. It's the perfect size to put in larger rooms like family rooms or living rooms especially.
Of course, we couldn't wait to plug it in and see how it looked lit up. I really like the holes around the beard and how the light glows through. It gives it detail and makes it unique.
The way this warmer works is pretty simple. There's a warming bulb inside that quickly warms the dish to melt the scented wax cubes. We were sent Christmas Day scented wax melts which really smell great. The decorative ceramic dish holds the wax and melts it. I was surprised how quickly I could smell the yummy fragrance. It really filled the room.
Best of all, I am able to enjoy a great fragrance without worrying about smoke damage, fire hazards, or the kids getting hurt while around it. It gives me peace of mind and looks great too!.

For traditional plate candle warmers, candle warmer lamps and lanterns, the Jamie Clair line of wicked/wickless candles, and candle warmer lamp accessories, you can visit CandleWarmers.com!

Buy It: You can purchase the Santa Illumination Fragrance Warmer for $14.99.

Win It: One reader is going to win an Aurora Candle Warmer Lamp and a Christmas Day scented candle to go along with it from Candle Warmers, Etc.

Mandatory Entry - Visit Candle Warmers, Etc and let me know a warmer you'd love to have.
Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry - Follow Candle Warmers, Etc on Twitter

2. 1 extra entry - Like Candle Warmers, Etc on Facebook

3. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Candle Warmers, Etc) 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 an Aurora Candle Warmer Lamp and Christmas Day Scented Candle from Candle Warmers, Etc! http://bit.ly/tnbycF Ends 1/2

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- '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!!

This giveaway will end January 2nd and is open to the US Only

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

A couple of years ago, I wrote about taking Kaelyn's pacifier away. Wanting to make sure that when we took it, she had something meaningful to have with her at night to take its place...we decided to go to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Kaelyn picked out an animal, put her pacifiers inside and now has a very special friend who she will cherish always. As I've mentioned before, it was at that point I realized just how much I love Build-A-Bear Workshop and the experience they give children (and even adults) to make their own stuffed animal. Whether it's something for yourself, or someone else...this is a great way to make a very personal and meaningful gift and friend. We have visited Build-A-Bear Workshop several times since then, and were thrilled to learn we were going to be sent a gift card to head back and check out the fun new friends they have around for the holidays.

We were sent a $35 Gift Card to use at Build-A-Bear Workshop and I couldn't wait to give Kaelyn and Kaden each the opportunity to make their own furry friend. When we arrived, the first stop was picking out a friend. They have a whole wall full of adorable choices....some holiday animals like Brittany, Alvin, Erik, Arctic Polar Bear and Winter Wonder Teddy...as well as cats, dogs, bears, monkeys, etc.
With winter just around the corner, Kaden went with the Winter Wonder Teddy and Kaelyn decided on the Colorful Hearts Bear.


Once the kids had their animal, it was time to stuff them to the perfect huggable size. They each got to pick out a heart, make a wish, kiss it and stick in their furry friend. By standing on the pedal they are filled with stuffing and then sewn up. Such a neat way to get the kids involved. They even got to hug them before they were sewn, just to make sure they were the perfect size for their little arms to hold. Love it!!

Next we headed over to the Fluff Me station where you give your new friend a shower (air that blows out of the shower head when a pedal is pushed) and brush them to fluff them up. Kaelyn and Kaden both really enjoyed this station...in fact, I think this is where they spent most of their time. Their bears came out clean and incredibly soft!
Picking out clothes is always a lot of fun too. There are SO many to choose from. With everything from adorable Pjs to dress and more, there's something for everyone. With Christmas just around the corner, both kids headed straight for the display that had Christmas outfits and picked out adorable outfits for their bears. The employees were very helpful and made a point to ask us how we were doing throughout our visit and even helped the kids dress their bears!

Of course, you can't leave Build-A-Bear Workshop without naming your new friend. My husband sat down with each of the kids and helped them name their bears. At checkout we got a birth certificate printed out with each of their names and of course, the adorable signature box as a house for each.

We all had a GREAT time, as always. The kids love their furry friends and it was so fun that they could be a part of making them every step of the way. It makes them extra special and is probably why neither one of them has wanted to put their bear down since getting home.


Build-A-Bear Workshop is such a fun and friendly place and a wonderful experience for children to create something special for themselves or someone else.With so many great choices, it would be the perfect opportunity to make a special child in your life a gift they would cherish always. If you're still looking for a great Christmas gift idea for a child on your list this year, I would definitely recommend checking out Build-A-Bear Workshop. While we were there, they had a fantastic deal going where you could get ANY animal + ANY outfit for $24.99. If you're looking for coupons and deals like this before heading there, be sure to sign up for their email list for the latest special offers and events.

You may also be interested in signing up for their Stuff Fur Stuff club. Signing up is free and you can either do it at the store or even online. You get a point for each $1 spent and after 100 points you get a $10 voucher to use on anything. Since the $10 vouchers are treated like cash, you can combine them with sales, coupons, other special offers, etc. Plus, you keep adding points, so if you save $10 on a purchase, you still get those points that you paid for and it just keeps going and going and going.
So, if you're still looking for a fun gift for the children on your list, I'd definitely suggestion Build-A-Bear Workshop. And, if you're not near one of their stores, Build-A-Bear Workshop has a great selection of cuddly friends and accessories right on their website, making it possible to purchase and make adorable gifts with the click of a button!
There are many great options to choose from at Build-A-Bear Workshop this holiday season. If you're looking for a unique and meaningful gift for a child on your list, or great stocking stuffers, Build-A-Bear Workshop would be perfect.

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a $10 GC to Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Mandatory Entry - Visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop website and tell me a store near you.

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

1. 1 extra entry- Like Build-A-Bear Workshop on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry- Follow Build-A-Bear Workshop on Twitter

3. 1 extra entry- Sign up for the Build-A-Bear Workshop Email Newsletter (bottom of homepage)

4. 3 extra entries- Grab my Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Build-A-Bear Workshop) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 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 $10 GC to @buildabear #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/syL6BY Ends 1/2

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. 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. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end January 2nd and is open to US Only!

**I was provided a $35 GC to facilitate this review and paid for the extra out of my own pocket. One winner was also provided a $10 GC. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

Between the holidays and the recent birth of our third baby, things have been very busy around our household lately. By evening, I'm usually feeling exhausted and the thought of making a big home cooked meal is the last thing I want to do. There are those nights I want something quick, yet delicious and nutritious. That's why I was thankful when introduced to Marie Callender's Pot Pies.

Thanks to TheMotherhood and Marie Callender's, we had the opportunity to review a couple of Marie Callender's Pot Pies. As I went to the store to check out the different varieties, I was already impressed with the selection. There really seems to be something to suit every taste. The varieties include:

• Chicken Pot Pie
• Turkey Pot Pie
• Beef Pot Pie
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pot Pie
• Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pot Pie
• Honey Roasted Chicken Pot Pie
• Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie

I for one love chicken, and my husband loves beef. We decided to try out the Beef Pot Pie and Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pot Pie to review. One thing I love about a meal like this, is that I can easily pull it out of the freezer on a busy night and have a warm, delicious meal without taking up a lot of time.

The pot pies can either be baked in the microwave, or for a flakier crust...in the conventional oven. We decided to go for the oven-baked pot pie and found that it couldn't have been easier. In a couple simple steps, the pot pies were in the oven.

First, I preheated the oven to 400ºF. I then left the pot pie in the paper tray and wrapped the crusted edge with a strip of aluminum foil. I then set the timer for 63-65 minutes and popped the pot pie into the oven. It was seriously that easy!! Now that's the kind of dinner I like to have on hand as a busy mom. Having simple, tasty warm meals on the table during these chilly winter months is great...and having tried Marie Callender's Pot Pies, I can now say that they are just that!

As the pot pies were baking, I could smell the delicious aroma and couldn't wait to try them. Then, pulling them out of the oven and seeing how deliciously they baked up...I was even more eager.
I wasn't sure how the rest of the family would like them, but to my surprise, it was a hit with the whole family! Filled with juicy meat, tender vegetables and a signature golden, flaky crust made from scratch, Marie Callender's Pot Pies offer a great taste and comfort to savor. They were absolutely delicious and the flavor was great.

Aside from the fact that these pot pies are super easy to make and delicious, I appreciate the fact that they are a wholesome and complete dinner solution made with no preservatives. It's something I can feeling confident and comfortable serving my family. We were very impressed and will definitely be buying these again.

Whether you crave chicken, beef or something creamier, you can choose any one of seven varieties of Marie Callender’s Pot Pies and feel good about serving your family a delicious, comforting and warm meal during these cold winter months.

Buy It: Marie Callender's Pot Pies are available for a suggested retail price of $2.10-$2.99. They can be found in grocery stores nationwide and are part of an extensive product line which includes: Complete Meals, One-Dish Entrées, Fresh Flavor Steamers, Fresh Mixers, Multi-serve Bakes, Pot Pies, small Fruit Pies and Dessert Pies & Cobblers.
**This post was sponsored by Marie Callender's and TheMotherhood. I was provided coupons to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.**

For families with more than one child, a double stroller is a MUST. It makes walks to the park, trips to the zoo, shopping outings, etc. much easier and less stressful. Now that we have three children 4 years old and under, we have noticed that we use our double stroller more than ever. It's the best way we've found to keep everyone together, especially when Christmas shopping and fighting all the crowds.
There are many double strollers on the market to choose from, but one of my favorites has been our Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem Stroller. I had the opportunity to review it a couple of years ago and to this day, still love the unique features it offers. Having been so happy with it, I was thrilled to learn that they were coming out with Contours Optima Tandem Stroller. This stroller offers the same great features of the Contours Options Tandem Stroller, but even better!

As a Kolcraft Mom, I was given the opportunity to review the new Contours Optima Tandem Stroller. It couldn't have arrived at a better time either, as our baby boy arrived just a week after receiving it!

Features/Benefits:

• Lightweight aluminum frame - only 36.8 lbs
• Six different seating options (LOVE this!)
  
• Height-adjustable canopies, with peek-in windows, can be raised or lowered: min. 23" to max. 27" so your baby is always covered
• Infant car seat attachment fits most car seat brands.
  
• Extra large storage basket
• Accommodates one or two infants/children
• Independent reclining seats, child cup holders & sun-rider canopies
• Two 8" front single swivel wheels and 10" rear never-flat wheels
• Four cupholders, 2 for parents and 2 for children
• Infant head rest
• Easy-trigger fold
• Convenient Free-Stand™ allows the stroller to stand upright when folded
• Height adjustable 5-point safety harness & padded infant head rest sleeves for comfort

When the Contours Optima Tandem Stroller arrived, I was really looking forward to checking it out and seeing the new features it had to offer. As I pulled everything out of the box, I found assembly to be a breeze.

In no time we had the stroller set up and ready to use!
Looking at this beauty, the first thing I noticed right away was the fabric. I absolutely love how plush and soft it is...making it possible for the kids to ride in comfort. They really seem to love it! The pattern is also great! It's absolutely adorable, not to mention stylish and neutral. We've always bought baby gear that is neutral since we have both both boys and a girl...so this is great for families like ours! It's a lot of fun, and when out and about it's something that turns heads. I love it!!

My kids' safety is of the utmost importance to me, so having high quality products is by far the most important thing I look for when it comes to the gear we use. As with the Contours Options Tandem Stroller, the quality is also something I greatly appreciated and was evident from the moment the Contours Optima was put together. The fabric and frame on this stroller are durable and something I can tell will hold up well to a lot of use...a must with any stroller.

Speaking of safety, each seat has a height adjustable 5-point safety harness & padded infant head rest sleeves for support and comfort. I love that this stroller is made to grow with a child and accommodates both infants and older children (it has a max weight of 40 lbs per seat; 80 lbs total).

Whether you have little ones, or your child is a bit older... the adjustable safety harness and independent reclining seats are great! Even the footrests are adjustable! They're easy to use and make it possible to allow for children of all ages to ride comfortably and safely. I like that I am able to adjust each harness and seat to the needs of each of my kids. If Kaden is needing a nap, I can simply recline the seat back a bit, while still leaving Kaelyn's in the upright position. It's wonderful!
Each seat also features a 4-position, height-adjustable sun-rider canopy which I love!! The canopies can be raised to a max of 27" and lowered to a minimum of 23". It's a great feature to have, especially for covering the kids when we're in the sun or when Caysen is napping.

There's even peek-in windows on the top of each canopy to make it easy for parents to keep an eye on their child at all times! Just another feature that makes this a wonderful stroller for both the needs of the children and parents.

We've already had the opportunity to use the Contours Optima Tandem Stroller several times and of course, the neatest feature and by far our favorite, is the fact that there are SIX different seating options! This is what really sets this stroller apart from the other double strollers I've come across and used. The seats are easy to remove and place for an option that works best for you!

My favorite option is the fact that it can be used with an infant car seat. There's an infant car seat adapter included for use on one of the seats, and it's compatible with most car seat brands, including the following:

• Britax® Chaperone
• Chicco® KeyFit
• Chicco® KeyFit 30
• Combi® Shuttle 33
• Cosco® First Ride DX
• Cosco® Starter
• Evenflo® Discovery™
• Evenflo® Discovery 5™
• Evenflo® Embrace™
• Evenflo® Embrace™ 5
• Evenflo® Embrace™ 5 LX
• Evenflo® Serenade™
• Graco® Safe Seat
• Graco® SnugRide® Infant
• Graco® SnugRide® 30
• Graco® SnugRide® 32
• Graco® SnugRide® 35
• Maxi-Cosi® Mico™
• Peg Perego® Primo Viaggio
• Peg Perego® Primo Viaggio SIP
• Peg Perego® Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30
• Safety 1st® Designer 22™
• Safety 1st® onBoard™ 35
• Safety 1st® onBoard™ 35 AIR

Thankfully, our car seat is on that list and it fits perfectly! I love this option, because not all double strollers make it possible to use an infant car seat with it. Being so cold out, we keep Caysen in his carrier when we're out and about, and it's been GREAT being able to use it with the stroller. As many parents know, infant seats are heavy, so being able to set it on the adapter and strap it on securely has made out outings a lot more enjoyable!


Another position this stroller can be used in is having both seats face forward. When using it with Kaelyn and Kaden, this is the position we use most often. Both kids love to ride looking forward, seeing everything as we stroll along. They both have plenty of room and seem to really enjoy the ride.

For those with infants or younger children you want to keep a better eye on, there's also the option to face both seats toward the parent. I like this option for the times when the kids might be napping.

Then there's the option to face both seats toward each other, which is unique and not something you see with double strollers very often. We have already used this seating position and the kids really enjoy it. They like being able to interact with one another which I think is great!
The back to back seating option is also a great one. During the summer months we visit places like the zoo a lot. Caysen will still be pretty young, and I like that I'll have the option to have him facing me while I push the stroller, while still allowing one of the older kids to face forward. It's really the perfect set up with families who have one child who is quite young and another who is older. We'll definitely be getting much use out of this option as the months go on.
The final option, which gives you a LARGE amount of storage is one that would be great for one child if you were shopping in the mall, out for a day at the park, and many other settings as well! It's the front seat only option where the back seat is taken off.

Even with the two seats on though, there's still a lot of storage! The extra large storage basket is absolutely amazing and a must in my opinion. We often find that strollers do not have a large enough basket to hold our diaper bag, shopping bags, jackets, etc. The Contours Optima Tandem Stroller however, has room for it all and then some!! It's by far the most storage I've seen with a stroller and something I greatly appreciate! With three kids, we often have a lot of stuff with us, so having this kind of storage is a must!
Another neat feature for both children and parents are the cup holders. We always have drinks with us, and usually the kids do too. It's nice that there's not only a parent tray with two cup holders, but each seat also has a swivel cup holder on it too.

When it comes to strollers, especially larger strollers...one thing I notice is that they are often heavy and difficult to fold and unfold. Thankfully, that has not been the case with this stroller at all! In fact, these are a couple of the improvements Kolcraft has made that I appreciate so much! This new model is even lighter weight, with a lightweight aluminum frame weighing just 36.8 lbs! Both my husband and I are able to get it in and out of the car with ease.

Folding and unfolding is a breeze as well! Not only are there easy trigger levers to make it super simple and fast to do, but one of the big changes made to this model is the fact that the stroller can be folded up with both seats still attached. One of my suggestions for improvement with the Contours Options Tandem Stroller was the fact that one of the seats had to be removed to fold it up. I love that this double stroller does not require that... it makes it even more convenient for the busy parent. I love it!

It also features a free stand fold which allows the stroller to stand up-right when folded. This has come in handy when we've folded it up and are opening the back end of the SUV to put it inside. It is also a nice way to store the stroller in our garage when we're not using it. It doesn't have lean up against anything.

Overall we've been VERY pleased with the Contours Optima Tandem Stroller. I love the improvements Kolcraft has made to make this stroller even better for the busy parent, while still keeping the features I love about the Contours Options Tandem Stroller at the same time! Both my husband and I have noticed how easy the stroller is to push and maneuver thanks to the front swivel wheels. It's an extremely smooth and comfortable ride for the kids and something we don't mind pushing around at all! The quality is also fantastic, and in my opinion...no double stroller can beat all of the features and options this one has to offer. If you're looking for a top of the line, lightweight double stroller...I'd definitely recommend checking this one out.

I would recommend this stroller to any family I know and think it would make a terrific gift for Christmas or anytime of the year! Be sure to head over and read more about the Contours Optima at Kolcraft.com.

You can connect with Kolcraft on Twitter and Facebook as well.

Buy It: You can purchase the Kolcraft Contours Optima Tandem Stroller for $299.99 at BabiesRUs.com, BabyAge.com and more! However, one lucky reader is going to get this stroller at a discounted price!

WIN IT:
**Silent Auction**
The highest bidder of this auction will win a Contours Optima Tandem Stroller (ARV $299.99)! Proceeds from this silent auction will be paid to KIDS (Kids In Distressed Situations). It not only helps bring hope to children in need, but gives the highest bidder an amazing stroller at a fraction of the retail cost.

How it works: Bidding starts at $10. To bid, leave your bid in the comments section in increments of $5. At the end of the auction, whomever has the highest bid wins! The winner will then make their donation to KIDS for the winning dollar amount (all details of this process will be emailed to the winner), send me a copy of the electronic receipt and Kolcraft will send them the stroller! It's that easy!! There is no additional tax or shipping charges. If for some reason the highest bidder does not claim the prize or pay the charity within 72 hours, the next highest bidder will be selected as the winner.

Please leave your email address with your commenting bid if it is not in your profile so I can easily contact the winner.

**Silent auction begins NOW and closes January 2nd, 2012 at 11:59 pm CST. Silent auction is only available to people in the continental USA, 18 and older.**