Since I was out of town last week…I decided that it would be best to extend some giveaways that ended while I was gone…so go ahead take advantage and enjoy!!

http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/08/12/veggie-tales-sweetpea-beauty/

http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/08/12/monopoly/

http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/08/12/free-sonic-coney/

http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/08/12/white-heat/

Can you believe that when you wake up tomorrow it will be 2010!!!
Remember the hoopla of Y2K?

Yikes! I do! Every one was sure that the world was going to end…yet here we are starting the end of the 1st decade…amazing!

I thought it would be fun to look back on 2009 and revisit some of favorite reviews, photographs, features and articles.

During this year…I have created and posted over 2000 articles and today I gave myself the task of narrowing down my favorites. I am sure your favorites may be different but for various reasons…these are my favorites from 2009! I did not have the energy or the heart to put them in any particular order. They are randomly listed.

I have had the honor and privilege to work with some of the greatest companies, PR firms, literary publicists, publishing houses, social media forums and sales personal that exist. I am deeply grateful for a fantastic year for the IE Mommy.

So….”CHEERS and Thanks” to everyone….you guys ROCK!

Happy 2010!!

Christine

P.S. If I forgot to thank anyone …with all my heart…I’m sorry!

My Faith:

1. Let Go Monkey
2. My Hands
3. A Pounding Heart
4. You Can’t “Wing” Jesus
5. …and so She Slept
6. Reading With My Heart
7. I’m Trying to Remember
8. Thorny Ground
9. I Am Weak
10. Goodbye Vacation
    

Sing Along Sunday:

1. You are Holy – Michael W. Smith
2. Mighty to Save – Laura Story
3. One Reason – Chynna & Vaughn
4. Slow Fade – Casting Crowns
5. Closer to Love – Mat Kearney
6. More Beautiful You – Jonny Diaz
7. Bring It On – Steven Curtis Chapman
8. He Is With You – Mandisa
9. Do They Know It’s Christmas? – TV AllStars
10. Christmas Don’t Be Late – Alvin & The Chipmunks
    

Word Filled Wednesday:

1. Many Waters
2. Living Water
3. Firmly Planted
4. My Footprints
5. Whose Son? – 1 Samuel 17:58
6. Taste – Psalm 34:8
7. I Am – Exodus 3:14
8. The Gate – Matthew 7:14
9. Plans – Jeremiah 29:11
10. Our Words
11. No Fear – Isaiah 41:10
12. Flowers Fade
13. Psalm 89:9
14. Walk with Me
15. Psalm 27:8
    

Best Shot Monday:

1. Weathering Rough Times
2. Dreaming of Prince Charming
3. Pink Sprinkles
4. Courage
5. Paradise
6. The “Eyes” Have It!
7. Here, Kitty…
8. Pride
9. What Santa Did Not Bring
10. Drenched
11. Prayer
12. Wings
13. Eyes of an Angel
14. Too Soon for Fast
15. Something about Blue Eyes

Wordless Wednesday:

1. Too Cold?
2. Dear Santa…
3. The Season of Summer
4. Me and Mini Me
5. Who Me?
6. Don’t Like Painting?
7. Sweet
8. Please
9. Beauty
10. Hungry?
11. Yum
12. Deep in Thought
13. Swinging Away
14. Why???
15. Dance With Me Already!!

You Capture Photo Challenge:

1. Happy
2. Still Life
3. Happiness
4. Up Close
5. Something New
6. Food
7. Peace
8. Black & White
9. Shapes
10. Summer 2009
11. Emotions
12. Nature
13. Family
14. Sweet
15. Letters

The IE Twins – Giggles & Grins:

1. Is It Ovenable?
2. A Kids’ Soap Opera
3. What Kids Say
4. Half Mexican & Half New  York
5. Handle Bar Mustaches
6. Kohl’s in my Stocking
7. Out of the Mouths of Babes
8. Build A Bear for a Diamond Ring?
9. The Mystery Girl
10. Straight to the Point
    

The Twin Kitchen:

1. Fruit Salad
2. Chocolate Pretzels
3. Making a Gingerbread House
4. Uncle Guy Cookies
5. Reindeer Food

Professor of Protection:

1. ICE Your Mobile Device
2. How Thieves Make $300 in Under 4 Minutes…
3. Why You Should Never Use A Combination Lock
4. 3 Reasons to Retire “Stranger Danger”
5. The Last Zebra
6. Missing Child…Who’s Fault…Mom or Dad?
7. Jessie James Reveals “All”
8. Mysterious Piece of Metal That Protects Your Registration Tags
9. 2 Types of Distraction Crimes That Suck You In
10. Don’t Make These Mistakes When You Have A 9-1-1 Emergency

TotalBeauty.com:

1. Quiz: Is Your Skin Clean Enough?
2. Best and Worst Celebrity Looks for Curvy Girls
3. The Best Mascaras. Ever.
4. Top 10 Drugstore Acne-Fighting Products
5. 11 Hairstyles We’re Sick Of
6. 10 Worst Drugstore Shampoos
7. Are These Celebrities Lying About Their Age?
8. Celebrity Mother-Daughter Duos We Love Most
9. Can You Spot Trends?
10. Holiday Tipping Cheat Sheet
    

Aloha Fridays:

1. Dora Anyone?
2. Who Are You?
3. What Would You See?
   
4. Low Rise?
5. What Did you Dream?
6. Favorite Blog?
7. Jury Duty
8. MEN!!
9. Time to Shop
10. What Would Others Change about YOU?
    

Book Reviews:

1. Waking Up in the Land of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo
2. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
3. Voices of Christmas by Nikki Grimes
4. Halfway to Each Other by Susan Pohlman
5. Mortal Friends by Jane Stanton Hitchcock
6. Daniel X – James Patterson
7. The Noticer by Andy Andrews
8. Along Came You by Karona Drummond
9. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
10. The Princess and the Three Knights by Karen Kingsbury

DVD Reviews:

1. The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky’s the Limit
2. Hotel For Dogs
3. Dive Olly Dive
4. Hero of the Rails – Thomas the Train
5. Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs – Diamond Edition
6. Wow Wow Wubbzy – Wubbzy Goes BOO
7. Wow Wow Wubbzy – Christmas Adventure
8. Happy Holidays WordFriends – Word World
   
9. Word World – Lots of Letters
10. My Little Pony Twinkle Wish Adventure

CD Reviews:

1. Imagination Movers
2. Jonny Diaz – More Beautiful You
3. Baby Banana by Debi Derryberry
4. Harry Connick Jr. “Your Songs”
5. Michael Buble – Crazy Love
6. Bari Koral Family Rock Band
7. Sweet ‘n’ Treats by Tracey Singer
8. My Baby Loves the 80’s
9. Hannah Montana 3
10. Los Lobos Goes Disney

Exercise & Health Reviews:

1. PowerHouse Hit The Deck
2. Spin Gym
3. Banglz from FitnessUWear.com
4. SPIbelt
5. Moving Comfort
6. Hippie Rehab
7. Break Pal
8. Coursing Around
9. KINeSys
10. VICKS & Braun

Children Product Reviews:

1. Elfing Around
2. Daisy Greenway Interactive Camper
3. FairyTale Wishes
4. Karito Kids’ Dolls
5. Bendaroos
6. Safety Tats
7. Zhu Zhu Pets
8. Flipper
9. Crayola
10. V.Smile Motion Active Learning System
11. 50’s Diner by Step 2
12. PLAY-DOH
13. Build A Bear Workshop
14. PlayMobile
15. AniMagic

Food & Restaurant Reviews:

1. Chiquita Smoothie
2. Minute Rice
3. Fruit 2 Day
4. Guyot Designs – Squishy Bowls
5. Sonic Drive Thru
6. Nature Valley – Nut Clusters
7. Molli Coolz Shakers
8. Restaurant Favorites
9. Giant Fortune Cookies
10. Cake Vase

Gadget & Tech Reviews:

1. Days Ago
2. Ifrogz Ear Pollution Crew
3. RocketLife
4. Pink Tooth by ChicBuds
5. EcoGear
6. Internet Password Organizer
7. CASIO EX-S5 DIGITAL CAMERA
8. RCA SMALL WONDER
9. Skooba Design
10. CoverBee
    

Home & Family Reviews:

1. Nature’s Notebook by Courtney Noelle
2. Union 28
3. The Glory of Christmas
4. Bibleco.com
5. Days Steps Personal Lifestyle Planner
6. Ecostore.com
7. Busy Body Books
8. Sun & Earth
9. 1-800-Flowers
10. Cape Clogs
11. Disney on Ice
12. Festival of Children
    

Jewelry Reviews:

1. Timex Ironman Watch
2. Lauren Nicole
3. West Coast Jewlery.com
4. Fumi – Purse Hanger
5. Affirmation Jewelry
6. BLISS LIVING
7. Penelope Poet
8. SouthPaw
9. Phenominoes
10. Bead Trends

Hair, Makeup and Skin Care Reviews:

1. Clarisonic
2. Hana Flat Iron
3. Exact Eyelights by Covergirl
4. Morrocco Colors by Dazzle Dry
5. Caress Skinwear
6. Dimitri James & SKINN
7. Barbar Hair  3800 Ionic Charger Blow Dryer
8. Ageless Perfume
9. Proactiv Solution
10. Lumiere Cosmetics
11. Vaseline Sheer Infusion with Stratys-3
12. Adovia

A Mom in Red High Heels (Makeup) Reviews:

1. Gillette Venus Embrace
2. L’Oreal Paris HiP Jelly Balm
3. PCA Skin Brightening Therapy with True Tone
4. RAW Minerals Active Mineral Foundation
5. Goldfaden Skincare’s Daily Gem
6. Crabtree and Evelyn Cleansing Body Polisher
7. Estee Lauder’s High Gloss
8. Korres Natural Mascara
9. L’Oreal Paris HiP Eyeliner
10. EOS the Evolution of Smooth

Shoes, Accessories & Clothing Reviews:

1. SlimPressions
2. Topless Undershirts
3. Stop Staring
4. Slim Perfect
5. T.J. Maxx & Marshalls!
6. 191 Unlimited
7. Joey Junior
8. Kokopax
9. My Hip-T
10. Vincent Shoes

Holiday Showcase 2009:

A huge thanks to all the companies that made it a success!

1. Things Remembered
2. Zonderkids
3. WowWee Toys
4. No Slippy Hair Clippy
5. Get Healthy Hands
6. Play Doh
7. Peace Toys
8. Karito Kids
9. Dittany Baby
10. ProActive
11. SheerCover
12. Skinn by Dimitri James
13. CleanLogic
14. Stop Staring
15. Hasbro Toys
16. Thomas & Friends
17. EA Games
18. Build A Bear Workshop
19. Bob the Builder
20. Klutz
21. Scholastic
22. Spin Master
23. Nature’s Notebook
24. Now That’s Music
25. Little Debbie Snacks
26. The Give Card
27. Minute Rice
28. Dazzle Dry
29. Debi Derryberry & Baby Banana
30. Liv World Dolls
    

Pictureka

By Hasbro

You would think that because I am older I would do so much better in this game, lol, but you would be wrong. So very wrong.

The twins have the advantage of having younger eyes and therefore spotted difrerences much faster then my old eyes (thanks computer!).  Even when they found something…I would have to stare at it before I saw. I was obviously very comical to my family!

Pictureka is a new game to my family as my husband and I have never played before.  It was a great game to play as a family. Each parent teaming up with a twin. The competition was tough and fun.

I look forward to breaking this out over the Christmas holidays when family comes over to visit. If you know my family…you know we are very competitive and very loud when we are together.  One of the favorite things the girls like to do in the car is play I Spy…so it was natural for them to enjoy this game as well.

If you’d like to add a new favorite to your Christmas shopping list.  Then pick up Pictureka, Pictureka Flipper or Pictureka cards.

Find it fast!  Find it first! Pictureka is the exciting game of visual hide & seek.  Collect the most mission cards to win! Place the 9 game board tiles on the table in a 3 x 3 grid.  Players than take turns rolling the dice, selecting a mission card and trying to find objects fast or first.  Three different card decks keep the game exciting — players either have to find a matching image or objects that fall into a category like “things that can fly”.  And watch out, the gameboard can change on any turn — special mission cards instruct players to turn over, rotate or switch one of the 9 gameboard tiles.  In this game its finders keepers: you get the card if you find the object fast or first.  Collect enough cards to win, and you’re the Pictureka champ!

• Retail Price: $22.99
• Item # 40202
• Ages: 6 & Up

Review Opportunity Provided by Hasbro & Hunter PR

A SpongeBob Christmas

Operation & Sorry Board Games

by Hasbro

I love to play board games. I always have. I remember being a little girl trying to find an older sister or parent willing to play with me. Everyone always seemed to have something to do or somewhere to go…so I played by myself.   Awww…can’t you see it? Don’t ya just feel so sorry for me? Don’t worry I wasn’t scarred for life and it is definitely fun making them feel guilty about now that I am older, lol.  

Rest assured I am making up for lost time! We received the SpongeBob version of both Operation and Sorry. It has been so much fun to play with my best buddies, my twins!

They love, love, love SpongeBob! They think he is the the best of the best …and smart! Ya,  you know it’s kids talking if they think SpongeBob is smart, lol. But! He is is funny! SpongeBob is one of the few (big kid) cartoons that I will allow the girls to watch. Even “serious” daddy watches it with them!  It took me a while to warm up to SpongeBob…mostly because I could not get over Patrick’s denseness but the cute little yellow sponge won me over. How could he not? I have never, ever known someone that lives under the sea and in a pineapple! Have you?

Both games play like their original counterparts but with the interesting twists that are all Spongebob. For instance rather then a heart, wishbone and ribs  that you will find in the original Operation you’ll find a Krabby Patty, a Clam and a brain in the SpongeBob Operation. All great indicators of the cartoon’s storyline. SpongeBob characters like Mr. Krabs, Squidward, SpongeBob and Patrick replace the basic red, blue, green and yellow colors in Sorry SpongeBob

So here is a confession for you. I have never ever played Sorry before in my life. Not even the original! I was very interested in learning how it was played.   I believe the twins caught on before I did and they are only 6!  All in all…we had a lot of fun learning about the Sorry SpongeBob board game. You might get a bid frustrated if you have to go back to start so many times and you may hear the word “sorry” a bit differently after playing…but it is all good, clean fun…which makes it a fun game to play with your children.

Operation SpongeBob is a wonderful game for the entire family. While it may not be the most challenging game for an adult. It is definitely a board game classic  and it helps your little ones refine their motor skills. When you play with your kids and want to give them a competitive edge, try switching hands. If you are a lefty…use your right hand. If you are a right handed person, use your left.  It may just make it more challenging for you too! Remember to pick up batteries when you pick up your Operation SpongeBob.

Take a deep dive undersea to save the secret recipe! SpongeBob’s trapped in Plankton’s lab, with 12 ailments designed to make him blab! Can you help your Bikini Bottom buddy keep the Krabby Patty recipe a secret? Perform delicate undersea surgery on his Barnacle Brain, Clammy Hands and Patty Pleasure Center without setting off the buzzer. The surgeon with the steadiest hands earns top pay and saves the day! Gameboard with SpongeBob SquarePants “patient” comes with tweezers, 22 cards, 12 plastic funatomy parts, play money and rules.Requires 2 “AA” batteries (not included)

• Retail Price: $19.99
• Age: 6 and Up
• Item #:40069

In this special edition of THE GAME OF SWEET REVENGE, join in a race from Start to Home. Run, jump & slide around the gameboard to get your team home before your opponents do. You may hit a few bumps along the way& SORRY! But that’s the fun and excitement that has made this classic game a family favorite over the years!Help your favorite SpongeBob Squarepants character race home! It’s classic SORRY gameplay with a few added twists! Includes gameboard, 16 cardboard character pawns and stands, deck of cards and instructions. For 2 to 4 players. Ages 6 and up.

• Retail Price: $19.99
• Item #: 89862
• Ages: 6 and Up

Review Opportunity Provided by Hasbro & Hunter PR

PLAYSKOOL DINO-ROARS MONTY REX

When the twins first saw the commercial with Monty Rex...they screamed!

When they saw him at the store…they screamed!

It took me a few times to realize they weren’t scared…they were just very excited. They wouldn’t stop talking about all the great things that Monty Rex would and could do.

Now that Monty Rex has moved into our home…we love him. The girls are right. I didn’t scream like they did but I definitely did a few giggles and chuckles as I learned about our new buddy, Monty Rex. My favorite part is his fun music! Yes, a Dinosaur that has music. Is that fun or what?

Today I feel like a kid at heart.  We have had some adventures with Monty Rex has he has crushed our toy cars, chased our Barbies and stomped over our garden. Monty Rex is a large dinosaur approximately 15″ tall and can be very intimidating to the other toys. I think he likes his “tough guy” image.

Hasbro’s Dino-Roars Monty Rex might run on batteries but it’s your imagination that really fuels him on!

Soft and snuggly, this prehistoric pet responds to your touch with lifelike movements and sound! Unleash him from his box and he’s ready to walk! Touch his back and he’ll stomp, roar and purr his way into your heart! Moving his arms and head — just like a real dino! – this mischievous MONTY REX dinosaur pet sniffs and sneezes too! Wanna “rock” out like they did in the Stone Age? This cuddly creature plays three rockin’ dino tunes! And when it’s time to “feed” him, he even chomps! Your prehistoric playmate even comes with a discovery sheet to help you learn a few interesting facts about your new friend!

• Retail Price: $69.99
• Age: 3 and Up
• Item #:14258

PLAYSKOOL DINO-ROARS MONTY REX can also be found at Amazon, KMart, Walmart and Toys R US.

Review Opportunity Provided by Hasbro & Litzky Public Relations

MY LITTLE PONY

PONYVILLE SWEETIE BELLE’S

GUMBALL HOUSE PLAYSET

Man! I so wish I was a little girl right now. They have the cutest toys out for children this year…that I am jealous! We didn’t have all these great things when I was little. Suddenly…I feel very, very old by saying that, lol.

If you have a sweet little girl at home…go out and get her the My Little Pony Gumball House Playset. You will make her Christmas!

The Gumball House is one of the cutest playset that I have seen in a while. Everything is brightly colored and painted. It opens up to make playing easier and closes up, nice and tight, to make clean up and storage a snap.

The playset comes with one little pony, Sweetie Belle, but you can pick up extra friends. You’ll need to pick up extra friends otherwise who will she entertain. I really looked at this toy through a child’s viewpoint as I was ooh’ing and aah’ing over all the adorable and quaint details. Musical elevators, light up ovens, candy teetertoter and a petite balcony.

I think this would be one of the toys that Mrs. Claus would insist Santa brought. It is just that adorable!

SWEETIE BELLE pony is spending the day at her home baking and she needs your help! Send her down from her bedroom to her kitchen on her musical elevator to “bake” treats for her friends in an oven that really lights up! Once the treats are finished and cooling on her table, let her ride her seesaw to celebrate a job well-done! Then, when her baking time is done and playtime is through, you can pack up your SWEETIE BELLE pony and all of the accessories inside of the playset and close up her cute little home for the night.

• Retail Price: $34.99
• Age: 8 and Up
• Item #:91251
• Playset comes with pony figure, 2 removable wigs, bed, seesaw, table, chair, alarm clock, toothbrush/toothpaste, chef hat, muffins, rolling pin, spoon, bowl, muffin tray and cookie tray accessories.

My Little Pony Playsets can also be found at Amazon, KMart, Walmart and Toys R US.

Review Opportunity Provided by Hasbro & Litzky Public Relations

Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Cafe

by Hasbro

Don’t you just love strawberries? I do! They are my favorite fruit which is one of the reasons I love Strawberry Shortcake. Every toy  has the delicious strawberry smell.

When Strawberry Shortcake first made her debut…I was a bit old to play with her. But not this time around. I am not sure who gets a kick out of the Berry Cafe play set more the twins or myself?

Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Cafe is going to be a hot ticket this Christmas season so keep your eyes open for all the Black Friday Specials! This play set will be popular so act fast.

Strawberry Shortcake is known to be a very sweet and gracious host. In the Berry Cafe her friends will only receive the best as they enjoy muffins, cupcakes, treats and smoothies all with a very Berry big smile. Did you know that is one of Strawberry’s favorite words? She loves “Berry” very much! When the day is done…Strawberry can rest in her upstairs room and enjoy a cup of Berry Tea while she relaxes.

Our favorite part of the Berry Cafe is the sweet “bird friend” that is atop of the strawberry. Strawberry Shortcake can sit on her and twirl around and around.

While this is a perfect toy for my twins…please remember there are really small pieces so if your child has younger siblings..please be diligent.

Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Cafe makes me wish I was only 3″ tall ’cause those berry muffins look good!

Don’t you wish you were a child again?

*Review Opportunity Provided by Hasbro & Litsky PR.