Mommy Has to Work

Enjoy the “Snow” with Hallmark

December 18, 2014 By Anne

We live in Florida, which means no snow for us. That’s great for me since I don’t want any snow! 🙂 But the kids would love to see snow and be able to play and build a snowman.

Hallmark has some great toys that are “snow” like and are really fun without all the cold weather. Visit the NorthPole1820.com to see all the fun toys! Check out more fun at the Northpole from Hallmark for games and interaction. You can write a letter to Santa or even talk to him!

I was sent an Avalauncher and a Magic Snowball to try out with the kids. They couldn’t wait to get into the toys and start playing.

The Avalauncher is a Walmart exclusive. With this snowball launcher, kids can practice their snowball skills even when the weather isn’t frosty. Made by Northpole elves, this snowball launcher is the perfect way to practice your snowballin’ skills. Set up snowflake targets and launch the included snowballs at them to rack up points.

Here’s a video too.

The Magic Snowball was really fun. I think we need a few more to really have some fun. This ball is meant to used indoors as it is magically-lit and changes colors. As the ball hits a surface it lights up. Very fun.

Snowball in action.

One Mommy Has to Work reader will win both toys! See details below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

X Out Review #MC #sponsored

December 15, 2014 By Anne

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for X Out. I received samples of X Out to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

I am a mother of a teenager. Teenagers have this awkward stage were unfortunaltly most get facial and/or body acne. I remember my own teenage years and my acne. I had it mostly on my forehead, where my bangs sat and in the “t” zone. My son has facial acne and while it’s not horrible he does need to learn about how to take care of his face and get a hold on the acne.

I’d been shopping around for products for him to use when I got an email to try X Out from Mom Central. I thought, why not?

X Out is great for teens as it’s a unique one-step Wash-In Treatment that washes powerful breakout fighting medicine into pores to help kill the bacteria that causes pimples while moisturizing and helping to protect the skin. I know for my son, easy is always better. Having rasied 4 boys they are not one to take extra care with their hygiene.

X Out was designed to be used by itself- no other steps are needed in order to fit into a teenagers’ busy daily life. The X Out Wash-In Treatments contains the proven acne fighting power of 8.5% benzoyl peroxide along with smooth beads to help exfoliate dead skin cells and a unique moisturizing complex designed to help protect and soothe the skin. The formula is paraben and sulfate-free and is non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested so it’s suitable for all skin types.

My son is always on the go, from school to playing sports. He’s one of those kids that loves to be outside playing something. Showers? Only when told to. He just really doesn’t seem to care about clean teeth and clean skin. Which is pretty normal I suppose. I do remind him and tell him to do these things, but how good is he doing them?

I know I showed him how over the years but …

Here is his before picture:

And pictures of him actually using the products.

And his after picture

And our video review 🙂

I was excited for my son to try the X Out products. I can’t say he was excited but he was intrigued. It is an easy to use system that is great for my active teenager. We received a whole kit with 2 washes. I placed one in the shower and one my the sink to make it easier for him to remember to use them.

I know he did not use them to their full potential but he did a good job and he will continue to use the products and I will continue to teach about proper hygiene. Will he listen? Who knows.

Check out other reviews and information on Facebook and Twitter

Anne

12 Cookie & Bar Recipes

December 15, 2014 By Anne

This is a sponsored post with Foodie.com

Making Christmas cookies has always been a part of my life. My mother made this a tradition and I’ve followed through and continued this tradition with my stepsons and now my own children. Sometimes we get a group together and sometimes I do them by myself but I always get them done! 🙂

I recently did my first ever cookie exchange and I’ve included some of those cookies here in my collection. I hope you enjoy!

Anne

Canon is my Favorite Brand at Best Buy @BestBuy #CanonatBestBuy

December 12, 2014 By Anne

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

I have always been a Cannon fan. All of the cameras I have owned have been Cannon. About two years ago I purchased my first DSLR, the EOS Rebel T4 and I bought it at Best Buy! I have been loving it. Now I find out that the ESO Rebel T5i is out and I just might want to upgrade.

The Cannon Rebels are great for hobby photographers. They take awesome, crisp, clean pictures. I love taking my camera with me where ever I go to capture that perfect or not so perfect moment.

Best Buy is the ultimate destination for the latest cameras to capture your holiday memories. The Canon EOS Rebel T5i is one of the best-selling DSLRs. This camera makes advanced photography easy and fun, and gives you exceptional image quality, along with a host of features to enhance your creative expression.

• Capture Hollywood caliber full HD video
• Continuous autofocus while taking HD video
• Features an 18.0-megapixel CMOS sensor and a DIGIC 5 image processor to ensure vivid, crystal-clear images.
• The 3″ vari-angle touch screen simplifies navigation.

Save $150 on the Canon EOS Rebel T5i at Best Buy*. Visit Best Buy to learn more. *offer valid 12/7-12/20″

Are you doing your shopping at Best Buy this season? What a re you getting?

Anne

Animalz Headphones – Holiday Gift Guide (Giveaway)

December 10, 2014 By Anne

Looking for a unique gift? Take a look at Animalz Headphones. They are adorable!

Cute, lovable and lightweight enough to take anywhere, Animalz by ReTrak headphones are a fun, furry accessory for family road trips, airplane rides and casual listening. Designed for little ears with volume-limiting technology and a retractable cord for tangle-free travel and storage, Animalz are available in six fun fabric animal designs.

We were sent the Skate Monkeez and let me tell you, there are too cute!

I love the volume limiter feature. Animalz’ sets the maximum limit at 85 decibels, the recommended setting according to the Journal of Pediatrics. Watch this video to see how much fun kids have wearing them while enjoying their favorite tunes, shows or learning activities: http://youtu.be/h87BzsK8K9o.

We are taking a 5 hour road trip in January and my daughter will just love these as will I! She is 6 years old and the “normal” plug headphones never fit her right no matter what size we use.

Choose from Biker Bearz, DJ Panda, Jam Bunneez, Scuba Shark, Skate Monkeez and Surf Dawgz*. Kids can now enjoy listening to their own music, playing games or watching movies all with their favorite Animalz!

Volume-Limiting Technology

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, more than 10 percent of children ages 9 to 19 have noise-induced hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to sound louder than 85 decibels can damage a child’s ears, causing permanent hearing impairment. With Animalz’s volume-limiting technology parents don’t have to worry about overexposure for developing, sensitive ears.

Tangle-Free Storage

Animalz headphones offer crystal-clear sound quality and are equipped with a built-in 3.2-foot retractable cable. Designed with children in mind, kids can simply retract the cord once they’re done listening. The cord comes with a gold-plated 3.5 mm connector that is universally compatible and works with most portable devices. Manufactured with high-quality components, Animalz have a soft fuzzy headband and ear pads with a lightweight design that are comfortable to wear. Built for years of fun, Animalz are backed by a lifetime warranty!

Where to Buy

Animalz are available at more than 15 U.S. retailers including Amazon.com®, Best Buy® and Toys“R”Us®. For a full list visit: http://myretrak.com/ANiMALZ/.