Groovy Lab In A Box- Review and Giveaway

I'm so excited to share Groovy Lab in a Box with you all. As some of you all know I took the girls out of school for a Science and Engineering festival that was held locally. It was a BLAST. While at the Science and Engineering festival I discovered Groovy Lab in a Box. When we got home I looked it up online and was so intrigued, I did a little more research and contacted the company. 

As a mom I feel the pull of wanting my children to explore their interests and squeezing in all that they need to learn in school (sometimes the other way around too). I'm always looking for ways to encourage and cultivate their love of science and engineering in ways that are fun and interesting. The thing is we don't have a lot of time to set things up, find supplies, etc. Groovy Lab in a box gathers all that the children and I need for some fun STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities to be the little STEMist they are. 

So here's the rundown on Groovy Lab in a Box. Groovy Lab in a Box is a fantastic learning tool that focuses on STEM  for ages 8-12 or grades 3-5.  It is a subscription service and you can choose 1, 3, 6, 12 month subscriptions. The boxes are delivered right to your door and they include all your STEMist needs for that months hands-on projects and engineering design challenge. When I say that this box includes all you need, I'm not kidding. If you need a single glue dot, it's in the box. Lab notebooks, goggles, compostable spoon/box/cup, everything we needed. I was also pleased to read a little card in our box letting us know that while Groovy Lab in a Box had changed it's name from Einstein in a box that they were using up their packaging because they are an environmentally aware company. In fact just about everything in our box was reusable, recyclable, or compostable.

Pictured above are the components that came in our box. The Lab notebook was perfect for my 8 and 9 year old to read out loud. The language was easy to read and understand, the graphics are clear, simple with clean lines so they are easy to understand. There are also definitions of some words and a small history on the catapult.

The girls and I read about the history of the catapult. Then we talked about Elastic Energy and sorted the contents of our box by material, listing each one in the chart that came in the Lab notebook.

Each of my girls built a catapult.  They took turns launching items, my oldest recorded all of the data and predictions. These boxes can be done with one or multiple children. I liked that my children we able to work together and talk through each activity. 

We're already planning to make a few of these Trampoline Catapults to have some pom pom battles. 

One of the really awesome things about Groovy Lab in a Box is that there is so much to explore BEYOND  the box. There are Stop signs throughout the Lab notebook for the children to investigate further. There are fun and interesting videos which is perfect because it helped my girls see things in action, see projects and ideas in "real life". Most of the videos are just a few minutes long.

While my oldest built the Trigonal Pyramidal Catapult, my youngest built some ammonia molecules and other molecules with our personal set, these didn't come in the box. But the Lab notebook mentioned ammonia molecules and it's trigonal shape. It was great to keep my youngest learning and exploring while her older sisters built the next catapult.



All of these projects were so fun. The Engineering Design Challenge was for the girls to design (and redesign :) ) and build their own catapult using only the box and it's contents. This is an ongoing project around here. I hope to update with the girls creation at some point before school starts, but I don't want to rush them or the process. Hopefully I'll have some picture updates for you.

All in all the Groovy Lab in a Box is amazing. As a mom I love that it's not a box that can be gone through in one afternoon, then set aside. It takes time to do each section of the Lab notebook, for the kids to explore and investigate, build, and record data. The box makes learning fun, it challenges children to take chances and think big. Beyond the Box, as I said is such a great tool. The videos and information on there is great to see STEM in "action".

Find Groovy Lab in a Box
Online/Purchase
Facebook (Fun posts and cool STEM fun)
Pinterest (You must check out their Pinterest boards, so many cool STEM ideas from projects to food)
Twitter
Google+
Linkedin
Instagram 
YouTube
Tumblr

If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win a prize from Groovy Lab in a Box!

MOBILE FRIENDLY LINK

http://bit.ly/Ux8ZIv

Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.

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Pickture That!- Giveaway

Hello everyone! Summer is in full swing here! I have a wonderful giveaway to share with you all. If you've been here a while you may recognize these super cool bracelets from Pickture That! I did a full review and giveaway in 2011 of this company and their product. Well, I'm pleased to say that my bracelet from 2011 is still as beautiful as when I got it. Pickture That! makes photo bracelets that are scratch, stain, and water resistant. They come in two widths and are adjustable.
I love that I can customize with any pictures I want. I recently ordered one of these for my mom. Ordered as in paid for, not was given one for review. That's how much I love these bracelets. I also received a bracelet for review in the new Summer Love size, only because I already have a Georgia Rose.
Above you can see a picture of my bracelets. Please note, the pictures on my bracelets are CRYSTAL clear and in focus as I sent them in. I just don't like posting too many pictures of my children so these are a bit blurry.
My Georgia Rose is the wider cuff and I chose sepia tone pictures. My Summer Love cuff I decided to use full color photos that I took of the girls a while back. Both of these bracelets can be worn with so many different outfits. I like that I can have personalized pieces that are very much a reflection of me and my personal style. I also like the price point for these fun pieces. Under $30! Really! They are also made here in the US of A folks!

Here's a little more about the differences in these two styles from the Pickture That! site. 

Summer Love

$26
This design displays more photos than our original bracelet and is perfect for your favorite Instagram photos. It’s the perfect size to wear with all your favorite accessories.
We know your friends will want one too (and maybe your sister), so be sure to order a duplicate to share with them for only $16. Then you’ll be sure to be BFF’s forever!
$1 of every sale goes to a non-profit cause we support.

Georgia Rose

$29This bracelet is our original design and displays larger photos that demand attention making it a great conversation piece. The large photos also make it easy to share your photos with others.You can order a duplicate bracelet for only $18. They make great gifts for mothers, grandmas, sisters – everyone!$1 of every sale goes to a non-profit cause we support.

Pickture That! has been giving $1 of every sale to a non-profit cause they support. You can even choose where your dollar goes! Which I think is awesome. You can see the list and read all about these non-profits here.

Find Pickture That!

You can purchase bracelets on the Pickture That! website HERE.

You can also find them on Twitter HERE.

Check out their Facebook page also HERE.

Also in IG @pickturethatllc 

So, cool bracelets, awesome company right? how about a giveaway? The generous folks at Pickture That! have provided TWO prizes for this giveaway! 

If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win!

MOBILE FRIENDLY LINK

http://bit.ly/Ux8ZIv

Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.

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Coco Jack- Review and Giveaway

Oh Coco Jack. How I love thee, let me count the ways...

 Some of you who know me or have read Give Peas A Chance for awhile now know that I'm not down with "one hit wonders" in my TINY kitchen. It just doesn't happen, it can't happen really because there's no room. But the Coco Jack is so worth the precious real estate it takes up in the Peas kitchen. Okay the Coco Jack itself not big at all, I'm just a bit dramatic. Not about my kitchen though. It's small. 

Are you wondering what on earth a Coco Jack is? Behold, the awesomeness that is Coco Jack in this video below

I mean really. Right? Talk about easy! Before I tell you more about the Coco Jack I want to share my story about Thai Young Coconuts and a gorgeous cleaver that met it's match...

For years I didn't buy Thai Young Coconuts unless my mom was around. Ever. I mean the kids love them, I just don't  didn't want to mess with them. Hacking away on one with a cleaver, using sharp tools like screwdrivers and hammers that belong in the garage. Nope. Not for me. Well one time my mom was visiting and we bought some coconuts, she used my beautiful cleaver to hack away at the Young Coconut and the blade was ruined. I'm talking hundreds of dollars, send it in for help and repair. Hot. Mess. After that I only ordered coconuts in restaurants. It sucked that such a delicious, healthy snack/drink couldn't be enjoyed easily at home without using tool that weren't food safe. 

 I first saw the Coco Jack on Instagram. Several things went through my mind. All at once. What!? This product looks amazing. I need this in my life. There's no way it works that quick? Could it possibly be that easy? Why didn't someone think of this before? How do I get one of these? What if it doesn't work? I need to try this. So I contacted the nice people at Coco Jack and asked them about their product. I watched You Tube videos. Then my Coco Jack Pack arrived looking all cool with it's Coco sack.

This pack includes

1 Coco Jack

1 Coco Mallet

1 Coco Scoop

1 Coco Sack

Here are the spec's on these awesome tools

Coco Jack's entire line of tools is:

100% Food Safe Stainless Steel

100% Food Safe Plastic

100% Made in USA

The Coco Jack comes with a lifetime guarantee when purchased with their Coco Mallet. 

Coco Jack comes with a specially designed shock absorbing grip, the material was originally developed to absorb the vibration from motorized lawn mowers. 

The stainless steel Coco Scoop is custom designed with a patent pending to get all the meat out of your coconut in one scoop.

The Coco Mallet is made of high quality food safe plastic.

This is my seven year old, opening her own coconut!

That's all great and dandy, but are you wondering about all those questions I had? Let me answer them for you.

1.  There's no way it works that quick?- YES it does. Watch their videos HERE, it really works that fast. I'm talking 20 seconds for me to open a coconut safely. Less than fifty seconds for my 7 year old, see the picture above!
2. Could it possibly be that easy?- It's that easy. 
3. Why didn't someone think of this before?- I have no idea. I'm glad these people did though.
4. How do I get one of these?- See the links below and above to grab a Coco Jack for yourself.
5. What if it doesn't work?- It works. Trust me, it works. Coco Jack is so well made and sturdy it will last you also. I mean come on, lifetime guarantee because they know it's going to last. 

It's a beautiful work of art.

So where can you get one of these? There are to options for buying the Coco Jack and you'll see different prices on their website, the cool thing is you can get a Coco Jack now for a seriously discounted price if you can wait a bit for your product. This company is growing fast, the word is getting out so I suggest you take advantage of that deal ASAP, Father's day is coming up!

 I cut and pasted the details from the website here-

1) Pay full price and receive your Coco Jack in 3-5 days
2) Get 30% off and receive your Coco Jack in about 8 weeks or less.
You will see both options below and in our shop.
For more information, click here.

Find Coco Jack

 Coco-Jack.com

Facebook: thecocojack

Instagram: @thecocojack

Twitter: @thecocojack

Vimeo

If you are in the US OR CANADA  and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win your very own Coco Jack. 

Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on GPAC found HERE.

MOBILE FRIENDLY LINK

http://bit.ly/Ux8ZIv

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HABA Toys- Review and Giveaway

European crafted HABA toys are nothing new to us. For nine years our kids have enjoyed their toys from HABA. From Diva's first Haba clutching toy we were hooked. Each of the girls had pacifier clips that I used to secure their beautiful wood clutching toys. I have kept them all, and they look new still! For over 70 years HABA has been in the toy business, and their safety standards are high. 

HABA offers beautifully made, fun, well-built toys that challenge a child's curiosity. Most recently their Kitchen items and dolls are wonderful and inspiring fun role playing with kids everywhere, including my own. The girls and I were able to review three beautiful items from HABA.

Doll Shona

Sushi Set

Mustard and Ketchup Bottles

First up Shona. Only my middle little was with me when I opened up this box and we both let out an "awww she's so cute" when we saw her. Shona really is a pretty doll. I posted on my Facebook page and several friends agreed. One mom said she needed one for her toddler. Shona is an 8 inch plush doll that is washable, she comes with a cute suitcase that has a real cupboard (closet) and extra shirt. One of our favorite things about Shona is that she's a little weighted. She's not all fluff, meaning that she's able to sit up on her own. She's very soft, her hair is fabric that doesn't unravel. Her facial features are sweet. The suitcase is a sturdy cardboard with a metal handle. There is no clasp, it has a place for a child to put their name on the outside of it.

How completely charming is this travel case? 

 Her little closet.

 Shona is easy to dress, soft, and cuddly!

The perfect size for little girls!

HABA's sushi set is just adorable. The little wooden tray is sturdy. The chopsticks are almost a rubber like material which makes picking up the sushi very easy. The tray has little feet on the bottom. The soft sushi pieces, wasabi, and  Baran- decorative leaf grass are made from soft fabric. As you can see the sushi pieces are good sized for little hands. One of our favorites when the girls are playing restaurant, feeding their dolls, or just playing "kitchen". 

 Wasabi in the little dipping bowl.

Good size for little hands!

Oh the Mustard and Ketchup! What a hit these two are. The girls think it's so funny how the yarn streams out when you squeeze the bottles. The first day they thought it was so funny playing jokes on Daddy. Now they still think it's funny when using them! Such a great addition to our play kitchen and play food area. Once squeezed and the "ketchup" or "mustard" come out, the yarn is easily put back into the bottle. The great thing is it never fully empties and you won't loose the string! I don't have more pictures of these great bottles because they are pretty self explanatory. Don't pass this item up when shopping for your kitchen set essentials though, they really do elicit some giggles!

Like HABA on Facebook

Find HABA Online

Store Locator 

Follow on Twitter

Subscribe to their YouTube channel
Pinterest HABA USA

If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win an amazing HABA Prize Pack that has these items in it!

Doll Shona

Sushi Set

Mustard and Ketchup Bottles

Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.

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Super Duper Publications - GIVEAWAY

Fun Decks come in sturdy tin boxes for travel and easy clean up!

Our wonderful friends at Super Duper Publications are helping parents get ready for summer with some great games. Bright colorful boxed games and fun decks that can go anywhere for on the go learning, that doesn't feel like learning! Here at Give Peas A Chance we've really come to love this company and their games, you can read past reviews, and see fun posts on what we do with our Super Duper Publications products through this link HERE. For 28 (!) years Super Duper Publications has been making hundreds of creative, colorful educational and therapy materials that you and your children will love. 

I'm always excited for summer break, but as a mom I know that school is just around the corner and learning must continue so that children can retain and build on what they have already learned. I want to continue building on the foundation that my kids have without formally schooling them during the summer break.

While all of our Super Duper Publication's products and games have been wonderful. We all seem to gravitate towards the Fun Decks the most. They can be used and played with for a long as the children want, there's no need to play a game until the "end". Everyone can take turns answering questions, or reading cards.

Understanding Sentences comes with Super Duper's Secret Decoder, a fun way to check your answers!

Two Fun Decks I'd like to personally tell you about today are the Sentence Fill-In and the Understanding Sentences Fun Decks. Both of these decks come in a carrying tin that is sturdy and perfect for travel, and outings. The cards are a thick paper that feels glossy and almost laminated. If my kids got them a little dirty I could wipe them carefully with a towel.  They are great for all of our children, even our early reader who is 5. The Super Duper Secret Decoder in the Understanding Sentences deck is fun. The kids think it's so fun to check answers with the decoder. It has an easily replaceable battery, so that's a plus!

Both Fun Decks we played with came with easy to follow instructions that have game/play suggestions on them. But like I said you can even just read through the cards for fun!

The illustrations are colorful and fun. There are a variety of scenarios and people in all of Super Duper Publication's products. Boys, girls, women, children, elderly, all sorts of people. I love the diversity.

Read more about Super Duper Publication's picks below and get ready for FUN summer learning.

As the countdown to June begins, experts at Super Duper have handpicked six games for parents to consider for leisurely summertime learning. These boxed games and fun decks go anywhere -- sitting in a
restaurant, waiting at the airport or playing in the backyard with siblings.

Listed in alphabetical order, discover these educational card decks and games at Super
Duper's online store:

Auditory Memory for WH Questions Fun Deck • $12.95 • Grades 1+
With titles like Hairy Hank and Earl the Squirrel, kids will love listening to fun, short stories
and then answering questions about them. Each of the 56 imaginative, illustrated cards
always pose five WH questions -- who, what, when, where, and why. Students use their auditory memory skills to answer, “Who found gold in Gold Mountain?” and “Why did Principal Ghostly nearly
faint?” Listening carefully has never been so much fun!

Grammar Chipper Chat • $64.95 • Grades K-5
Prepositions, future tense, subjective pronouns -- let the Syntax Safari begin! Using
animal picture cards, this exciting magnetic chip game explores 16 of the
grammatical structures found on most language assessments. The student fills in
the missing word on the question side using the pictures as cues. When play
(learning) is done, wave the magic wand for easy clean up.

Also available: 100 Extra Magnet Chips • $9.95 and 2-Pack Extra Magnetic Wands • $7.95

Granny’s Candies • $54.94 • Grade K-6
Hmmm, octopus and spider -- how are they alike? Combine the excitement of picking
colorful "candy" tokens from Granny's candy jars with hundreds of opportunities to
expand vocabulary skills. First, you fill up the "candy jars" with "candy" (soft, foamy,
and colorful tokens). Then, players choose question cards from one of eight semantic
areas (or mix and match cards). Youngsters answer the questions, roll the die, and pick
"candy" from the jars. The player with the most "candy" at the end of the game wins. Sounds yummy!

Say and Glue for Language and Listening • $36.95 • Grades PreK-4
"Find the ladybug. Glue it on the ground." Early learners have a chance to be in cut-and-paste
heaven while they listen and learn six important language skills: categorizing, telling what
items are used for (functions), following complex directions, following conditional directions
(if…then), retelling stories (semantic recall) and understanding basic concepts. Appropriate
scissors and glue not included.

Sentence Fill-In Fun Deck • $29.95 • Grades 1+
The plumber fixes the house's ____. Word clues include
stairs, wall, pipes or lights. Students look at 56 whimsical illustrations and finish
four sentences that describe the picture scenes with a noun, verb, adjective, or
adverb. Each of the cards teaches one part of speech. There are 18 noun cards, 10
adjective cards, 18 verb cards and 10 adverb cards. The cards with solid borders
have four sentences that are missing the same part of speech. Students complete each
of the sentences using one of the four words listed under the picture. Cards with checkered borders offer three answer
choices for each of the four sentences. Game ideas are included

Understanding Sentences Fun Deck • $24.95 • Grades K-6
Kids look at the illustrated card (child throwing a stick to a dog) and listen to or read
three sentences to find the one that describes the illustration (The dog is fetching a
stick; The dog buries the stick; or The cat fetches a stick). After mastering this set,
students move to Set Two where they read one sentence (The fish swims in the cool
pond) and search for the matching illustration from a choice of three pictures (duck
in a pond, fish in a fish tank, or fish in a pond). Students check their answers using the Super Duper Secret Decoder.

Find full descriptions and sample cards of these and hundreds of games at www.SuperDuperInc.com

At Super Duper always enjoy free shipping to addresses in U.S. and Canada for purchases over $20. While looking around the website, click on the "Win $50" button and enter the monthly drawing for a $50 gift certificate. Super Duper loves to hear from parents, educators and speech therapists. Your candid comments could be next month's winner.

Super Duper Publications Website

Facebook, follow them on Twitter, subscribe on Youtube and check out their Pinterest board.

Enter to win Your choice of Say and Glue, Sentence Fill-In Deck, and the Understanding Sentences deck on the blog for US and Canada!

If you are in the US OR CANADA, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on GPAC found HERE.

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Heirloom Cookie Sheet and Cookbook- GIVEAWAY

Remember the Heirloom Cookie Sheet review I did not too long ago? I'm excited to offer one of these beautiful pieces as a giveaway to one of my readers, along with a Heirloom Cookie Collection Cookbook! I'm honored to be featured alongside some awesome bloggers in the book. The pictures are beautiful, and the recipes are wonderful.

You can see the original post on Give Peas A Chance HERE, for the Heirloom Cookie Sheet. I've also cut and pasted  it below.

I have met some awesome people through blogging. Jeannie from Heirloom Cookie Sheets has been one of those people. She started this company and is here in the US. But the story behind these sheets is pretty amazing. Her dad first had these stainless steel cookie sheets made for her mom. Jeannie and her mom baked and used these cookie sheets for 30 years, and they were workhorses, and stayed beautiful. That's the beauty of stainless steel, it stays so nice and works so hard. Jeannie's friends asked where she got her cookie sheets after borrowing them. That's when she knew to share these awesome cookie sheets.

 I had heard through another blogger that Jeannie was looking for some bloggers to partner with for the Heirloom Cookie Collection Cookbook. I'm so blessed that I was able to participate in this fun project. Because in doing so I discovered a beautiful product that is so well made.  I was able to make the amazing cookies pictured above for the cookbook. There are 20 other bloggers who partnered with Heirloom Cookie Sheets and these books would make a wonderful gift. 

I was also able to use the Heirloom Cookie Sheet. I'll be honest, I got rid of all of my cookie sheets years and years ago. They were flimsy, they warped, some were coated. They were more of a pain than helpful to me. Still to have something without the "lip" on all my pans would be awesome, something with no aluminum? Even better. I was very pleasantly surprised but the weight of  the Heirloom Cookie sheet. Sturdy and strong because they are made with 100% stainless steel (Heirloom Cookie Sheets are made from Type 304, food grade USA stainless steel with a Chromium content range between 18 – 20 and a Nickel content range between 8 – 10.5) . That's right, there's no aluminum. STRONG. They are also made in the USA. I've used this sheet to bake cookies and also pizza. Because there's no "lip" on the sheet I could fit a whole pizza on there with ease. Because stainless steel heats a little slower, but conducts heat so evenly, baked goods are evenly baked on the bottom, it takes a few minutes of extra bake time, but it's not a big deal. 

Here's more about this great  product

Professional Construction
The Heirloom Cookie Sheet is made of heavy duty, 18-gauge stainless steel. That’s it … no toxic coatings. No coatings at all – and yet, it’s virtually non-stick!
One of the 12″ sides is turned up slightly to provide a handle, so it’s easy to maneuver in and out of the oven and store in your cabinets. The 15″ sides lay flat to allow heat to circulate unrestricted across the entire baking surface, which results in even baking.
There is no need to use cooking spray or liners when baking with an Heirloom.The natural light color of stainless steel encourages even baking to help you avoid burning your cookies.
Best of all, the Heirloom is Dishwasher Safe! If you do need a little “extra” cleaning help, especially after broiling with the Heirloom at a high heat, we recommend using a small amount of a non-abrasive powder cleanser.
First Impressions
Quality! Ask anyone who has seen an Heirloom Cookie Sheet, and “quality” is their first impression. Its mirror-like finish combined with ultra sturdy construction makes the Heirloom a beautiful piece of professional bakeware.

Here is some information about this great cookbook also

At Heirloom Cookie Sheets, our commitment to quality starts with the materials we select. Our cookie sheets are 100% Made in the USA, 100% recyclable and 100% safe for your family. They have no toxic coatings and will not break down or leach components over time. We choose earth-friendly materials because we believe in keeping our world healthy. Even the Heirloom Cookie Collection cookbook conforms to these high standards, printed on Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper that is manufactured with electricity in the form of renewable energy.

This is more than a cookbook. It’s a collaboration of 20 different food “personalities” that are sharing their stories with our family recipes. Enjoy more than 90 pages of content, with features like:

The original 20 Heirloom cookie recipes

Baking tips and quotes from our “Partners in the Kitchen”

Freezer & storage tips

A self-standing, spiral bound design

And more!

These cookie sheets  and cookbook would make a wonderful addition to any one's kitchen. 

Find Heirloom Cookie Sheets on Facebook

If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.

MOBILE FRIENDLY LINK

http://bit.ly/Ux8ZIv

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Poplets REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

Poplets. Brought to you by Open Road Snacks, of Rocky Mountain Popcorn Co, which I wrote a review about HERE. Check it out and read all about this company. Yummy, Jalapeno Popcorn... yum. YUM. I vote by the way, if there is a vote, that the next flavor of Poplets be jalapeno. It would be wrong to pass up jalapeno. Moving on.

If you like crunchy snacks, but not jaw popping teeth breaking corn snacks, these babies were made for you. I like crunch, these are a great texture.

 What are Poplets? They are "softer", flavorful nuggets of gluten free, non GMO, nut free, corn goodness. I put softer in quotations because these ARE softer than other corn snacks, but that's not a good word for them. Softer implies... squishy, fluffy, and tender. These are anything but that. They are still very crunchy, just not so ... HARD.  When you are at the bottom of the bag of popcorn and the kernel is there? That's HARD. These are crunchy but not hard. Satisfyingly crunch. Make sense?

There's a new corn nut in town! 7x softer CRUNCH lets you REDISCOVER corn nut snacks. POPLETS are satisfying little NUGGETS of corn kernel goodness with far less fat and more fiber so you can crunch away fear-FREE. Poplets® the LITTLE crunch with BIG flavor.

Poplet's come in three flavors

Sea Salt and Butter 

Asiago Ranch

Chile Picante 

 These flavors are what you would expect them to taste like, which is what we all want right? Something that tastes like it says it does. Each are gluten free, nut free, and yes non GMO. I know I said that already. I usually find items that are not natural to have a odd after taste, Poplets are natural and oven baked, not fried. So they aren't greasy either, and there's no dyes. 

Diva is nut free so I try to keep snacks safe for her. Poplet's are a wonderful addition to our snack box! These would be great in an Easter basket also, and much better for your than jellybeans! 

Find Poplets

Website

Where to buy locally- enter your Zipcode here

Facebook

Twitter @RockyMtnPopcorn

If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.

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Les Petit Merveilles- Review and Giveaway

Nighttime Paris Shadows

Have you every played with shadow puppets as a child? I did as a child, I particularly remember a panda one I made at Chinese school.  After we assembled them we took turns casting shadows on the screen the teacher provided. They were so fun. I think especially for children, seeing something as simple as a shadow cast on a wall or a sheet is quite magical. Even making shadow puppets with your hands is fun for both children and the adults casting the amusing shadows. 

  Les Petit Merveilles - French for small wonders, are beautifully die cut shadow puppets that are sturdy, and the sticks make them easy to hold and maneuver.  Moulin Roty is the 40-year-old French company that makes these charming detailed puppets. When I say detailed, you can see above how each puppet is laser cut with fine detail that lets light pour through to create shadows that also have detail. I tried to capture that in my photos, I hope you can see what I mean, as I am not a photographer. Who knew taking pictures of shadows could be so challenging?

 See how the windows are filled with light? Even the eye and smile on the chimney sweep show up!

Shadow puppets are great for children of all ages, and adults. They spark creativity and imagination during play. Children love to snuggle into bed for a bedtime story, these puppets create soft shadows and are a wonderful addition to story time.  My children and I love to tell stories, and long after they are tucked into bed my girls are whispering and giggling. Sometimes I'm not too happy about that, but at least they are getting along right? They have often told me that they will just make up stories, make up different lands and think about what types of cuisines people would eat at these places. Our Paris Shadows kit expands their creative story telling in so many ways. The puppets are beautifully simple. They very much open the door for play, and do not limit creativity with rules or guidelines. Our set came with 11 puppets which is a lot! The girls have taken turns holding up the buildings, flying the airplane around. Moving the puppets either closer or further away from the light source to make the shadows on the wall bigger or smaller. Huge lady trampling over buildings and walking over the Eiffel tower? Sure why not?

We've really enjoyed this "back-to-basics" toy and are thinking about making a light box stage to use with our puppets. These puppets would be a wonderful gift for any child.

Check out the other sets of Les Petit Merveilles  puppets below, the theatre looks amazing!

Nighttime Shadows Theatre • $40 • Ages 3+
It doesn't really have to be nighttime to play with this fabric hanging that depicts a European theatre stage. The screen comes with 4 shadow puppets and measures 31" x 23.5". Can be hung outside between trees or poles or inside a bedroom or play area.
Nighttime Circus Shadows • $21 • Ages 3+
Lion, elephant and strongman, oh my! These Nighttime Circus Shadow puppets include 11 different figures. Grab some peanuts and popcorn and get ready to put on the greatest show on earth!
Nighttime Paris Shadows • $21 • Ages 3+
Ooh la la, it's Paris at night with a moon, sleepwalker and lovely cityscape. This set of 11 figures is made of black laser cut card stock. Put on your beret and let the tales begin.
Nighttime Dinosaur Shadows • $18.50 • Ages 3+
If you can pronounce them, create intriguing tales with triceratops, parasaurolophus and brachiosaurus among this 10-piece puppet set.
Nighttime Castle Shadows • $18.50 • Ages 3+
Once upon a time, there was a 9-piece puppet set that
children found comforting yet a little scary with a Princess, her father the King and a wicked witch! Turn down the lights, add a lamp and let the happily-ever-after adventure begin!

American toy importer Magicforest distributes these and the entire Moulin Roty line to over 700 toy and gift shops coast to coast. Look for all of these small wonders with a French twist in Spring 2014. You can find them on  Facebook.

I have one set of puppets to giveaway to a lucky reader, make sure you enter below!
If you are in the US, have a US address, and are 18 years of age or older, enter below to win. Read the rules HERE, first.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free sample/s of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. All pictures are from the companies site, unless noted.

More giveaways on Give Peas A Chance found HERE.

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