Exergen Temporal Scanner Review/Giveaway

What is the Exergen Temporal Scanner?

Exergen Temporal Scanner is the first temporal artery thermometer. It measures temperature readings     from the temporal artery, which is located in the forehead.

How much does it cost?

Prices usually range between $30-$50.

Mommy Bear's perspective:

This review came at the perfect time. Yesterday Mikey Bear had a fever of 103F. Normally it is a struggle getting an accurate temperature reading but the Temporal Scanner, or Forehead Thermometer to put it simply, made it easy and fast. I could easily take his temperature when he was asleep and not disturb him.

The best part I like about it is the fact that he doesn't mind getting his temperature taken now. In fact, he asks for us to do it again. When my babies are sick, I want to focus on making them feel better. Not struggling to get their temperature. I can not stress enough how easy it is to use. Just follow the directions carefully. One important tip is remove all hair out of the way. This thermometer is great for all ages and I highly recommend it.

Daddy Bear's perspective:
Unfortunately, we had a very good chance to test the thermometer because Mikey Bear is sick. It is very easy to use and Mikey Bear will actually let us take his temperature with it. Ordinally he hates thermometers but I was even able to use it while he was sleeping. It took no time to figure out how to use and it reads very accurately. The plastic cover does tend to pop off a bit easily but that would be my only complaint. It has already proven to be a lifesaver and I don't think I will be needing any other thermometers anytime soon.

Buy it:
You can find the Temporal Scanner at your local retail stores like Wal-Mart, Walgreens, etc. Go HERE to get a $5 rebate coupon.

Win it:
Here is a chance to win your very own Exergen Temporal Scanner.

Manadatory Entry:
Go to the Exergen Temporal Scanner website, and come back to leave a comment telling us what you like best about the thermometer.

Extra Entries:

• Follow Mommy Bear @bearbunch on Twitter.
• Follow Daddy Bear @superdadbear on Twitter.
• Become a Facebook Fan of Exergen.
• Grab The Bear Bunch button on the sidebar.
• Tweet about this giveaway including the hashtag #bearbunch and a link to this post. (1 per day)
• Follow blog through Google or subscribe to email.
• Blog about this giveaway. (3 entries)
• Comment on any non-review/giveaway post. (Unlimited entries)

 Leave a seperate comment for each entry. Giveaway ends April 1st at 11:59 PM PST. Open to US and Canada. Winner will be emailed and announced on Twitter. Good luck!

 This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by Exergen Corporation for review purposes. Opinions are our own and was not influenced in any way.

Nifty Nappy Review/Giveaway

The diaper that is the reason for our switch from disposables to cloth diapers.

What is Nifty Nappy?
Nifty Nappy sells organic cloth diapers and other baby items.

What we reviewed:
One Nifty Nappy cloth diaper and wool longies.

Mommy Bear's perspective:
You have been hearing our thoughts since the very beginning. You know that cloth diapering just confused me and I had no idea what I was getting into. Disposables just seemed so easy especially when there was a dirty diaper involved. I thought cloth diapers were inconvenient. Boy, was I wrong. These diapers aren't the ones you have to fold up and poke yourself many times trying to get on. These diapers have convenient snaps. I think some of them have velcro? Melly Bear hasn't had one single diaper rash since we started and she has only leaked once or maybe twice but that was probably my fault. The one size fits perfect for both Melly and Mikey Bear. If you are looking to get started in cloth diapering, contact Vilate from Nifty Nappy. She will discuss with you exactly what you need to get started, give washing instructions, and is available to answer any questions. I am so thankful she got us started. Think about the money we are saving and how we are helping the environment!

Daddy Bear's perspective:
I'll admit that I thought the whole cloth diapering was kinda of a mom thing and I still have to ask Mommy Bear questions constantly but...
Truth is I really like these. After a few accidents getting used to them, we haven't had hardly any mishaps. Definitely no more than we would have had using disposables. They snap on easily and clean up isn't nearly as difficult or unpleasant as one would think. And as much as I hate to admit it, I even like the patterns.

Win a $35 gift certificate to Nifty Nappy.

Mandatory Entry:
Visit Nifty Nappy and come back to leave a comment letting us know what fabric is your favorite.

Extra Entries:

• Follow @myniftynappy on Twitter.
• Follow @Bearbunch on Twitter.
• Follow @SuperDadBear on Twitter.
• Follow the Nifty Nappy blog.
• Become a Facebook Fan of Nifty Nappy.
• Grab the Nifty Nappy blog and/or website button.
• Subscribe to the Nifty Nappy newsletter.
• Tweet about the giveaway. Include a link in your tweet with what you would get with your $35 gift certificate.
• Follow this blog through Google.
• Become a Bear Bunch email subscriber.

Leave a seperate comment for each entry. Giveaway ends March 16th at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be emailed and announced on Twitter. Good luck!

 The Bear Bunch received a sample from Nifty Nappy. All opinions expressed are our own and was not influenced in any way.

CLOSED - Yummi Bears Organics Review/Giveaway

What is Yummi Bear Organic vitamins?
Yummi Bears Organics are allergen, casein, gluten, GMO, and gelatin free vitamins and are made with all
natural flavors and colors. They come in five varieties:

• Multi-Vitamin and Mineral
• Super Vision
• Immunity Shield:
• Brain Booster
• Bone Builder

Mommy Bear's perspective:
If you have trouble giving your kids vitamins, then Yummi Bears are for you. The great taste leaves them wanting more. We had trouble at first trying to get Mikey Bear to take his. All we had to do was tell him it was candy and haven't had any problems since. Not only is it a great vitamin with a great taste, it comes from organic ingredients. I love the different varieties too. You can target exactly what your child needs.

Daddy Bear's perspective:
Yummi Bears Organic vitamins are something I wish they'd had when I was younger.  If any of you remember those grainy, oddly bitter and tart cartoon character vitamins from your childhood, well, prepare to be jealous.  These things look just like real gummy bears, and taste like the real deal, but slightly less sweet.  And this is coming from a gummy bear aficionado.  Mikey Bear wasn't too sure about them until we hit upon the idea of calling them candy.  Now the only problem is getting him to stop trying to sneak one of them!  All in all, a great implementation of a great idea.

Buy it:
They are available in fine health food stores and online health merchants.

Win it:
One lucky reader will win 4 bottles of Yummi Bears.

Giveaway is closed. Congrats to karenthaeter!
The Bear Bunch received a Yummi Bears sample for review purposes. All opinions expressed are our own and are not influenced by any outside source.

Nourish Baby and Toddler

What is Nourish?
Nourish Baby is a formula-ready bottled water with easy to read volume measurements on one side, a large mouth to add formula, and a nipple top. Nourish Toddler is a 10 oz cup of purified spring water with a spill-proof sippy top.


How much?
Both Nourish Baby and Nourish Toddler is $3.50 each.

 Mommy Bear's perspective:

Don't you just hate being stuck without any water for your baby or toddler? You don't really want to use fast food and gas station water but what are your other options? That is where Nourish comes in. They provide ready to use bottles with purified water. When I received my sample in the mail, I threw them in my diaper bag and to be honest, forgot about them. We took a trip to the zoo and Mikey Bear had his regular cup that I had filled with juice. While we was looking at animals from a balcony, I heard a thump. Oh no. This can't be good. I look down and his cup was several feet below us in the field. What am I going to do now? Lets just hope he doesn't get thirsty. Of course he did and as I was digging through my diaper bag I found the Nourish cup. I was relieved. Mikey Bear was happy and Mommy was happy. Nourish saved the day! At $3.50 a bottle, it is a little expensive to constantly be buying for the kids but it is good to have on hand for emergencies (like mine) or trips. It is something nice to have in your diaper bag. Just in case.


Daddy Bear's perspective:
When you are disorganized as me, it is easy to forget things such as every time I pack the diaper bag; just ask Mommy Bear. I got to the point where I would just keep a jug of water in the car because I would always forget to get some for the little bears. It can be hard to find sources of water that you trust to give to your babies. Which is what makes Nourish bottles so great. You just grab one and go and you know that it has healthy purified water ready to go. No more slopping water into a bottle on the side of the road because the baby is crying.  I love that they are pre-measured and ready to drink or to mix. 




Buy it:
You can find Nourish at many airport locations for your convenience. You can also order online or find a Nourish store near you. Just go to http://www.nourish-inc.com/ 


The Bear Bunch received a Nourish sample for review purposes. All opinions expressed are our own and are not influenced by any outside source.

CLOSED - Zicam Review/Giveaway

What is Zicam Cold Remedy?
Zicam Cold Remedy reduces the duration and severity of the cold when taken as directed within the first 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset.

What we reviewed:
Zicam Liqui-Loz and Zicam Zavors



Mommy Bear's perspective:
I am a busy mom just like all of you. I do NOT have to time to get sick. That is why I love Zicam. At the first sign of a cold, I popped the Zicam Liqui-Loz in my mouth and that was all I needed to do. Zicam helped reduce how bad my cold was and the amount of time I had it. I was so thankful to have Zicam on hand so I could continue on with my busy day instead of being stuck blowing my nose and coughing.

Daddy Bear's perspective:
I am easily knocked out by cold medicines (herbal or otherwise) so I am very leery and most times just avoid it. I tried Zicam in the past and loved it but those spoons were such a pain to get into, especially if you were already feeling lousy. Along came the Zicam Cold Remedies. These are great because they come in lozenge or chewable form. So they are so much easier to take and don't taste bad either. They always help knock out my cold without making me drowsy. I would gladly recommend these to anybody.

Two lucky readers will win a Zicam Prize Pack! The prize packs include Zicam Liqui-Loz, Zicam Zavors, and money-saving coupons. 

The Bear Bunch received a Zicam sample for review purposes. All opinions expressed are our own and are not influenced by any outside source.

CLOSED - Flip Along Fun Book Review and Giveaway

What is the Flip Along Fun book?
It an interactive, educational, mix and match book...great for kids ages 2-6.

How much?
The book is $17.95.

Mommy Bear's perspective:
I have to admit that reading the same book over and over gets very boring. I do it but that doesn't mean I like it. The Flip Along Fun Book is the perfect solution! This book gets both the parent and the child involved plus you create your own stories each time you read it. This book also provides loads of learning opportunities like colors, animals, matching, and math. Every time I got the book out, Mikey Bear's face would like up with delight.

Author Michael Dowling provides a fun experience with the words that provides lots of giggles and illustrator Sarah Dowling did an amazing job with the cute artwork.

Daddy Bear's perspective:
The Flip Along Fun book is a neat alternative for story time. Not only does it teach but there are different match ups for each animal to keep kids guessing. The artwork is well done and Mikey Bear can already recognize and name all the animals in the book. For those of you parents who can name each and every thing that Sam suggests Green Eggs and Ham might go with from memory, this book is for you.


Buy it:
Purchase the book by going to http://www.flipalongfun.com/ and click on order.

Giveaway is CLOSED! Congrats to the winner!

The Blog Friendly PR Team, in conjunction with Flip Along Fun, provided The Bear Bunch with a sample product for review purposes. All expresses expressed are our own and was not influenced by any outside source.

Ebeanstalk ABC Soft & Nesting Blocks Review

What is ebeanstalk?
ebeanstalk is a toy website that is dedicated to selecting good, safe baby toys and toddler toys. They get help from moms like me to help pick the toys.

What we reviewed:
ABC Soft & Nesting Blocks


How much?
ebeanstalk carries a wide range of unique toys to fit everyone's budget. The ABC Soft & Nesting Blocks are $21.99.

Mommy Bear's perspective:
I didn't know what toy we were going to review until I opened the package. I was impressed right away. I loved the beautiful artwork on the blocks and book. The quilted fabric made it very soft and perfect for baby's small hands. When Mikey Bear was asleep and I could focus on Melly Bear, I gave her the blocks and it was a instant hit. I immediately heard giggles of delight and saw adorable grins. Her little hands could easily grab and keep a hold of the blocks. I helped her stack them and knock them down which lead to more giggles.

The blocks come with an ABC book. She LOVED looking at the pretty pictures. I would show her the pictures in the book and then the picture on the block.

These blocks don't just provide entertainment for small babies. When Mikey Bear got up from his nap, he started playing with his sister. He would show her how to stack and sort them. Unfortunately my camera wasn't handy during this priceless moment.

The $21.99 price tag is not bad at all for these blocks. They are worth every penny. It is a simple and unique learning toy for your child that will provide hours of entertainment.

Daddy Bear's perspective:
The whole idea of nesting blocks was new to me, and when we got Mikey bear a cardboard set they seemed cheap, chincy, and frankly, I was unimpressed. When ebeanstalk sent their ABC Soft & Nesting Blocks, it reversed my opinion completely. I had already heard about how much Melly Bear loved them, but when I actually saw them firsthand, it really struck me how nice these blocks are. They have quilted stitching (note: I know nothing about stitching, but people I know who do swear by the quilt pattern) so they are quite durable. They have cute pictures on them with an alphabet book to match, and I also liked that the colors aren't the standard “baby pastels” set one always sees. But the main deal with these blocks for me was just that Melly Bear LOVED them. She has never been engaged by a toy like she was with this one.


Buy them:
Click HERE to purchase the nesting blocks. You can also go to http://ebeanstalk.com/ and do a search with your child's age to find the perfect toy.

The Bear Bunch received the ABC Soft & Nesting Blocks for review purposes from ebeanstalk. All opinions expressed are our own and are not influenced by any outside source.

Album Review: Five for Fighting; Slice.

We at the Bear Bunch were provided with an advance copy of John Ondrasik's musical moniker Five for Fighting's new album, Slice, to review. My only experiences with him involved his previous singles, Superman (It's not Easy) and 100 Years. They are both pleasant songs, especially the latter, a poignant look at the span of a life. But I'd never pursued Ondrasik past the occasional radio airplay. I didn't really know what to expect from him. After a cursory listen, over lunch at work one day, I still wasn't sure where I stood with the album. It wasn't until I really sat down and listened that I realized what it was I had here. Now it's an easy album to listen to. There isn't much to put anybody off, so if you only want something to play while you do something else, this won't disappoint. But if that is all you do, you are missing out on quite a lot.

While the arrangements tend toward the sparse side, they are still complex enough to be interesting. The instrumentation tends to be similar between songs: piano, guitar, bass, drums; with occasional orchestral backing. This is by no means meant to be a slight. Ondrasik provides a good range of musical styles while sticking to his strongest suit: well written piano melodies, simple, but engaging. He writes well-crafted songs, without letting virtuosity get in the way, and it is to his (and our) benefit.

At the risk of going on too long, I am going to jump to the high points of the album: This Dance and Note to the Unknown Soldier.

This Dance is a sweet, fumbling, whimsical love note, it's everything that is charming about a decent romantic comedy while its self-awareness keeps it from slipping into the realm of cheesy.
Note... is simply stellar. It's a love note of another kind; a letter for an unmarked soldier's grave. It is just the sort of attitude people need to have toward our military. It makes you want to shake the hand of the next soldier you see, and maybe even buy him/her a beer, while remaining completely apolitical. The melody is slightly bittersweet, it recalls better times without becoming maudlin.

In closing, I would hesitate to rate this album just yet, it warrant several more listens before I think I can do it justice. However, on that note, I've listened to it 5 or 6 times while writing this, and I could listen to it again, right now. I can't think of many albums that could hold up to that standard.

You can follow John Ondrasik on Twitter here or visit the website here. Thank you One2One Network for providing the Bear Bunch a copy of the album to review.

Birthday Bash Out of the Box Games Review

We at the Bear Cave were given an opportunity to choose two games from Out of the Box productions, for review purposes. Knowing both of our predilections toward word games (but ignoring, probably in purpose, my predilection toward ninja,) Mommy Bear picked out Letterflip and Myword. We enjoy 2 player games that don't require a lot of setup, being parents who can't just up and head out to hit the town anytime or just have friends over whenever. Sadly, these games are in short supply on the shelves at most retailers. Not so at OOB, though. They offer a nice variety of games, for a large range of players. They were easy to pick up and figure out and we were playing in no time at all. We opted for games for the adult bears, since Mikey Bear's only use for board games is to find the piece that most resembles a train, and drive it on every available surface. Including Melly Bear. And occasionally to make a Choo Choo noise. So he's not quite ready for board games yet, and Melly Bear would just eat the pieces.

Letterflip is an interesing, fun game that pits 2 players head to head. Gameplay is something like a cross between guess who and battleship. Players take turns guessing letters, and once all letters are guessed, words which get progressively longer. This simple premise makes for a surprisingly fun game, which easily engages the sense of competition between players. Mommy Bear and I are pretty evenly matched. And it's such an easy game to set up and play, we both love it.

Next is Myword. The premise, again, is simple. Cards with 1, 2, or 3 letter combinations on them are dealt out one by one. Any layer who sees a word calls it out and grabs the cards. After each player deals, the one with the most cards wins. Or you can play the first to a set number of points. Now, as Mommy Bear will tell you, I know a ridiculous amount of words. Several ex-Scrabble opponents of mine refuse to ever play with me again. So I should be a natural at this game, right? Wrong. I like to take my time, and build up high scoring words that have lots of letters in them. Mommy Bear just grabs whatever she sees, and trounces me repeatedly. That's right; this is the word game for those of you who aren't good at word games. Speed is much more valuable than knowledge. So go ahead, invite that annoying Scrabble champ over and show them who's boss with Myword. You will love it.
Mommy Bear sure does.

Sprout Organic Baby Food Review/Giveaway

SproutBaby is a one-stop online shop for healthy, eco-friendly products for your family. From mom care, to baby care, to feeding and nurturing your child, you can take care of the earth as well as your family. The main feature of SproutBaby is their line of organic, gourmet, and shelf-stable baby food, created by celebrity chef (and dad), Tyler Florence.




When I was asked to review the Sprout foods, I was thrilled. Who doesn't want good and healthy food for their children? Melly Bear is still a little young for solids but Mikey Bear was more than willing to try it for his sister. He has never been a picky eater but he seemed to really enjoy the Sprout Foods. It was only natural for his favorite to be the Roasted Bananas & Brown Rice because he loves bananas.

I love all the interesting food combinations like Roasted Apples and Blueberries, Sweet Baby Carrots, Apples & Mango, and Roasted Butternut Squash. It gives your baby lots of variety and textures.

I really like that they come in little pouches which is much easier to store in the cabinets than jars. It also reduces waste. It was a little hard to get all the food from the pouch but still easier than getting it all from a jar.

You can get a case of twelve 3.5 oz pouches for $16.65 which isn't bad at all for organic baby food.

Sprout Baby has generously offered one of our readers a $25 gift certificate.

Here is how to enter:

Mandatory Entry:

• Go to www.sproutbaby.com and comment here telling me what you would get with your $25 certificate.

Extra Entries:

• Follow @bearbunch on Twitter.
• Follow @superdadbear on Twitter.
• Tweet about the giveaway - "Enter to win a $25 gift certificate to #SproutBaby @bearbunch blog http://bit.ly/f6jSZ" (3 entries per day)
• Blog about the giveaway.
• Follow through Google or subscribe via email.
• RSVP for Mikey Bear's Birthday Bash Giveaways.
• Comment on any non-review/giveaway post. (unlimited entries)
  

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Giveaway ends October 23rd at 11:59 PM CST. Winner will be chosen with random.org and will be announced October 24th. Good luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Giveaway has CLOSED! Winner will be announced soon.

Thank you so much to Nicole from SproutBaby for providing a 6 pack sample for The Bear Bunch to review.

Bear Book Review: Fearless, by Max Lucado

Around ten years ago, my father told me I really needed to read a book he had just finished. I don;t recall the title, but it was by a fellow named Max Lucado. I immediately decided that he sounded that, with a name like that, he should have been a contemporary of Vincent Price and Lon Chaney. A glance at the blurb revealed that he was, in fact, some sort of inspirational Christian writer. I set the book back on the coffee table, fully intending to pick it back up later and read it. I never did. But recently, we were given a copy of Lucado's newest release, Fearless. With ten more years under my belt, and a beautiful wife and two amazing children that I am responsible for, this book sounded like it was right up my alley. So I picked it up, and quickly realized why my dad was so insistent back then.

"Imagine your life wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, and doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, absent the dread of failure, rejection, and calamity. Can you imagine a life with no fear?"

Just a few pages in, Lucado poses this idea to us. Granted, I knew this book wasn't about some superhero, probably played by Bruce Willis, who lived without fear, or anything of that sort. But I still somehow failed to realize that he honestly meant "a life with no fear." I mean, Jesus loves me, mine, and everyone else, too. This I know. But, well, that doesn't mean that it's just a cake walk until we get to walk the streets paved with gold.

"Christ followers contract malaria, bury children, and battle addictions, and, as a result, face fears. It's not the absence of storms that sets us apart. It's whom we discover in the storm: an unstirred Christ."

According to the author's research, the Bible tells us not to fear more often than any other "Christ issued imperative..." Three times as many as to love God and neighbor, in fact. It's a big scary world out there, and God seems to know it. Moreso than we realize, it seems. Lucado does an excellent job of showing us just how big a deal this is for us. He picks different fears, chapter by chapter, and addresses each from a Biblical persepective. But I still had one major apprehension.

With any Christian writer, there is an implicit test. Can it stand up to the secular audience? All too often, the answer is no. All too often, the focus is too Biblical, and the people who need to hear the message most stop caring. But occasionally, you get an apostle Paul, whose writing holds universal truths which stand up today. You get a C. S. Lewis, whose Prince Caspian became a movie that held attention spans which had long since drifted from the latest Harry Potter film. And Lucado, I would lump in with that crowd. Although his entire message relies upon a Christian perspective, the message is important enough that I think a non-believer could find plenty to take from this book.

Lucado's prose flows easily and conversationally, without slipping into the realm of the "too casual." His opening: "You would have liked my brother. Everyone did." My response: Wait, I thought this was about fear. What's this about? And it worked. it kept me reading, as it will keep you. Myriad examples, anecdotes, and mini-histories pepper his work, granting us all sorts of perspectives; this isn't just his voice at work. And it blends together wonderfully. The discussion questions in the annex ensure that the book will continue to teach long beyond your initial reading. Read it, and don't be afraid. It can give anyone something to think about, and maybe a bit less to fear.

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear hit bookshelves today and can be bought at Amazon.com. We received a copy of this book from being a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program.

Loobalee Review and Giveaway

Loobalee! That is so much fun to say.

I am always looking for quality clothes at a great price so when I discovered LoobaLee, I was thrilled. It is a place to buy and resell designer children's clothes. The kids are growing out of their clothes so fast so second-hand clothing is the perfect solution. The extensive description system gives me an accurate idea of just what I am getting, even to the point of telling if the items come from a smoke and or pet free home. But it gets even better!

For a small membership fee ($3.99 monthly, $9.99 for 3 mos, or $29.99 for one year,) I can also list my own clothing, once my kids have grown out of it. So not only do I have a good source for cheaper kids clothing, but I am not stuck with piles of clothes that don't fit my kids anymore.

As you know, we have been in a middle of a move so I haven't had a chance to go through the kid's clothes to list some but I did take a look at the selling process and it looks so easy. You can even load up to four photos.

Do you want to give LoobaLee a try for yourself? Here is your chance.

Win 6 Free Months of Selling Time on LoobaLee!

Hurry! This opportunity closes on Sept 21, 2009

Note: Currently open to U.S. Residents only

Here's How to Enter

First Entry (Mandatory)

Visit LoobaLee.com. Come back and comment on this blog post with what feature you like best. (My favorite is the easy search.)

Extra entries:

* Sign up for a free LoobaLee account. Come back and comment with your username.

* Follow @bearbunch on Twitter.

* Follow @LoobaLee on Twitter.

* Tweet about this giveaway. 1 tweet allowed per day. Comment with tweet url.

* Grab the Bear Bunch button on the left sidebar.

* Blog about this giveaway.

* Become a member of the Bear Bunch BlogFrog community and reply to a discussion or start your own.

*Donate to Baby Makin(g) Machine's March of Dimes Fundraiser.


Click on button to take you there.

Be sure to leave a comment for each entry. Giveaway closes Sept 21st at 11:59 P.M. Winner will chosen through random.org on Sept 22nd. Good luck!

Solavie Review and Giveaway

I am obsessed with hair care products. There! I said it. I want a shampoo that makes my hair shiny and leaves it soft. You can only imagine my excitement after I used Solavie Desert Hair Care Duo Pack. I felt like I had just stepped out of a hair salon when I got out of the shower. My hair felt amazing and the sweet smell was unbelievable.

Solavie Desert Enviro-type products are designed to draw moisture into the skin and hair and keep it there, despite the drought like conditions outside. The Hair & Body Wash is gentle enough for color treated hair yet effective and it leaves your skin feeling nice and refreshed.

I love that the products are formulated by climate. Each one is designed to work best in a certain climate. They are the perfect size for traveling so you can just drop it in your purse and go.

It is so great to take a nice, relaxing bath after a long day of taking care of the kids. I like to sneak away after the kids are asleep and pamper myself with these products.

Want to try out a

Desert Hair Duo Pack?

Now here is your chance!

Enter to win. Hurry! Giveaway ends Sept 21st.


First entry (mandatory)


Go to http://www.solavie.com/ and come back to tell me something you learned.


Extra entries:

* Follow @bearbunch on twitter.

* Tweet about this giveaway. One tweet allowed per day. Comment with tweet url.

* Follow the Bear Bunch blog through Google or subscribe via email.

* Grab The Bear Bunch button on the left sidebar.

* Blog about this giveaway.

* Become a member of the Bear Bunch BlogFrog community AND reply to a discussion or start your own.

*Donate to Baby Makin(g) Machine's March of Dimes Fundraiser.


Click on button to take you there.

Be sure to leave a comment for EACH entry.


Giveaway ends Sept 21st at 11:59 P.M. Winner will be chosen through random.org and announced on Sept 22nd. Good luck!

Are we there yet?

Or in our case, are we done yet?

As you know, we have been moving and I will tell you all about the trials and tears from that later. First, I wanted to tell you about an awesome game that has been such a lifesaver during our move - Story Starters by Rand McNally.

Story Starters is a game that is a part of the Boredom Breakers line.

Rand McNally developed the five games based on extensive parent research. Moms across the country were clear about what they like - creative activities that make kids laugh and allow family members to learn more about one another - and what they don’t like - games with a lot of little pieces.

I am so grateful to have had the chance to review Story Starters. Mikey Bear is a little younger than the recommended age of three and up but we still had so much fun. If you don't already know, you can probably guess that moving can by very boring for kids. Mikey Bear got very restless and irritable. I don't really blame him. So did I but I decided to give the Story Starters game a try. I popped in the CD and my imagination went wild with stories which delighted Mikey Bear and sent him into a fit of giggles. We only played the "What Happens Next?" part of the game. It will start you off with a story and you make up the ending. The game allows you to be creative and will definitely keep children of all ages entertained. The best part about this game is it gets the whole family involved instead of each member doing their own thing. I also really like that there are no pieces to lose. All you need is the CD and book that comes with it.

Whether you are driving 30 minutes to Grandma's house or eight hours to a vacation spot, these games will keep your kids smiling and having a good time the whole way there.

The Boredom Breakers line contains these five games:

Story Starters: Packed with 72 minutes of funny stories, mysteries and games, this interactive CD will be an instant road trip hit. Story Starters combines the best of classic radio-style drama and audio effects to get families telling stories together. Hearing is truly believing!

Car Karaoke: Mom can sing lead and kids are back-up vocals. Just pop in the CD with 12 classic rock, pop, and kid favorite songs. Includes everything needed to be a rockstar: an inflatable microphone, rating cards, and three lyric books. Choose from favorites like “Build Me Up Buttercup” or “Twist and Shout,” to see who’s got the pipes in the family. Earplugs not included!

Car Game Countdown: Car games are fun, but they are even more outrageous when you’re trying to beat the clock. Car Game Countdown includes a car-shaped digital timer with electronic sound and laminated dual-sided game cards featuring 18 games on a clip ring.

Travel Card Games: Travel Card Games features three great games to pass time and start conversations. Includes a slim storage box to easily stow in the backseat pocket.

Magnet Message Makers: Magnet Message Makers is a mess-free way to get the kids and the car ready for the road . It includes two reusable and removable magnets that will not harm your vehicle and five sheets of removable stickers for decorating the magnets. “Florida or Bust!”'

You will never have to hear "Are we there yet?" again!

Review and Giveaway: Carolina Pad

With back to school just around the corner, we at the Bear Bunch are excited to share something we recently found out about. Carolina Pad is the place to find stylish back to school supplies, office supplies, and organizational help for moms but it is more than just the same old notebooks with new covers. We don't have any back to schoolers (unless you count tot school) but the collections are just as useful for organizing chores, grocery lists, to-do lists, and other around-the-house things. For example, the personal book is small enough to fit in your purse, but big enough to easily find; which makes it perfect for shopping lists. But Carolina Pad went one better and added in a little pocket which I use to hold receipts. No more dumping your entire purse over just to find that receipt from two days ago.

Another one of my favorites is the binder. I love the design but what I really like is the Carolina Pad touch; a customizable cover. It has a pocket that holds a standard sheet of paper so you can put your name, school subject, or even a picture. Then when you get tired of it, you can easily change it out for something new.

Another thing that I really love is the organizational folder. Instead of trying to keep several folders for several subjects together, Carolina Pad does it for you. This convenient folder provides eight, durable pockets to hold plenty of loose papers.

They have also applied their own decorative touch to such items as: tab dividers, file folders, pencils, and poster boards. So when shopping for back to school supplies, I would definitely recommend you go by Carolina Pad. And while you are at it, grab a few supplies for yourself, too. You deserve it! Be sure to check out the Hot Chocolate collection. That one is my favorite!

Carolina Pad has generously offered a 15% discount on the total order to all of my amazing readers and one lucky reader will win a collection from Carolina Pad. Use the promotion code BTS2009 for your discount. Offer is valid from August 1st-22nd. All orders of $30 or more after discount are eligible for free shipping.

The winner of this giveaway will get to choose between the Kendall Collection or the Sasquatch Collection.

The Sasquatch Collection is made from recycled materials and contains environmental messages to help people keep it green.


The Kendall Collection is named for the designer's niece that developed Leukemia at just two years old. Mothers and daughters love the design of this collection but really love knowing that purchasing these products help those in need.


**Giveaway is closed. Winner Announced.**

Review and Giveaway: The Joyful Organizer's Guide to a Joyful Move

We at the Bear Bunch were recently given the chance to review The Joyful Organizer's Guide to a Joyful Move. Bonnie Joy Dewkelt shares with the reader her wealth of knowledge on moving tips and organizational techniques. The book is worth the purchase price for the organizational charts alone. It is chockful of handy tips and bright ideas that we would have never thought of. It takes you step-by-step through everything you should be doing right up until the move and even after. She even provides contact information for multiple companies that you may come in contact with.

The book is clearly written. She does repeat herself occasionally but this usually seems to be in the interest of making a point. Overall we determined that is a must-have and we will definitely be using it on our next move.

Bonnie has been generous enough to give away a digital copy of this moving guide to one of our amazing readers. It doesn't matter if you are moving next month or in a few years. You will definitely need a copy when the time comes.

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your name and e-mail address.

Extra Entries:
- Follow The Joyful Organizer on Twitter at Thejoyfulorg.
- Follow The Bear Bunch on Twitter.
- Tweet about this giveaway.
"I just entered to win a guide that will take the stress out of moving. Details here http://bit.ly/FI2YO Pls RT!"
- Blog about the giveaway
- Follow our blog.

Submit a comment for each entry. Provide links where appropriate. Winner will be chosen through random.org on July 28th. Deadline to enter is July 27th at 11:59 PM.

Look for tweets from the Bear Bunch with some great tips from Bonnie on keeping the kid's room organized.

**EDIT**
Contest is closed. Thanks for entering and congrats to Carla!