Say hello, she's your sister. {Disney Baby Little Character Contest}

A big thanks to Disney Baby for sponsoring this post and the Disney Baby "Little Character" Contest.

As Big Sister E's sixth birthday is just over the horizon, I can't help but look back on the past six years in amazement at the changes that we have been through.

On the one hand, it seems as though it was only yesterday that my husband and I spent our Saturday mornings sleeping in until 10:00 and then staying in bed to eat breakfast and read the paper. On the other hand... really? Was that this lifetime?

I can't believe that it has been nearly six years since Big Sister E entered our lives and suddenly we were more than a couple; we were a family. As well as giving up those lazy weekend mornings, the dynamic in our household changed because my husband and I had this living, breathing little being who needed us to provide for her every minute of the day.

After two years of getting used to a responsibility that enormous, we doubled it by adding Little Sister B to our household and completing our family of four. As well as the changes that meant for Daddy and I, it was a near-magical experience to be able to provide Big Sister E with a playmate, companion, secret-sharer and best friend that she would now have for a lifetime.

When it comes to celebrating those magical moments that we all experience with our children, no one does it better than Disney Baby.

They know that parenthood is filled with happy, grumpy, sleepy, smiley, giggly, crying (and many more!) moments, and now they want you to capture your baby's unique personality in a photo that could possibly win $10,000 towards your child's education (plus much more) in their Disney Baby Little Character Contest.

That's right, Disney Baby is looking for the next Little Character and is inviting parents to submit a photo of their newborn to 24-month-old baby. Through June 18th, they will select one winner per week as finalists that will receive deluxe Disney Baby prize packages, including Huggies diapers, and will be eligible for the Grand Prize.

As well as the finalists that Disney Baby selects, there will also be one lucky Fan Favorite winner. Simply encourage your family and friends to vote for your baby's photo through June 18 and the entry with the most valid votes at the conclusion of the entry phase will win an ultimate Caribbean vacation to Beaches Resorts, a one-year supply of Huggies Diapers, and a Deluxe Disney Baby Gift Pack of character-themed goodies, gear and essentials.

Beginning on June 28, America will vote to select the Grand Prize winner from the five total finalists... and that lucky person will take home a $10,000 scholarship plus more!

They will also receive a "crawl on" role on ABC Family's new comedy, Baby Daddy, a trip to Los Angeles to attend the grand opening of the first Disney Baby Store — and have a $500 shopping spree there, a one-year supply of Huggies diapers, and their baby's photo in a Disney Baby print ad in a National Magazine and on the Disney Baby website!

Disney Baby isn't leaving out voters either! Simply by casting your votes (from June 28, 2012 — July 19, 2012) you will be eligible to win a beach vacation courtesy of Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Remember, you can vote daily, so be sure to do so to increase your chances of ending up relaxing on the beach!

What magical moments come to mind when you think of your baby's first 24 months? Is he or she the next Little Character to represent Disney Baby? Find out more about the contest, the prizes, and be sure to go enter with your best photograph today!

Fashion and Footwear Perfection: See Kai Run {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, driii!}

Having two girls, it is always interesting to me to see their similarities and their differences. Wherein Big Sister E is caring, calm, and responsible beyond her years, Little Sister B is active, curious, and my little comedian.

But they both are imaginative, love books, and so darn adoring of each other that it makes my heart hurt sometimes.

Something else that they share? A love of fashion. In particular: shoes. I can't blame them though, there are so many cute options in kids' footwear that it's hard to not be excited about the colors and styles. There has been more than one instance (many more) when I look at my girls' shoes and wish that they came in my size as well.

I mean, wouldn't I look just as cute with a pair of these?

A name that has been a continual favorite from the first moment that we laid eyes on them, See Kai Run just knows how to do kids' shoes the right way. There is no way to visit their website and not fall in love with multiple of the fun, cutting edge styles... and then add the fact that they promote the healthy development of growing feet and are made with the utmost high quality construction and you've pretty much reached perfection in my book.

With so many adorable new styles for spring, it took days of contemplating Little Sister B's wardrobe before being able to even narrow down the collection at See Kai Run. But when the Kai in cream arrived, there was no doubt that these were the right choice.

The cutest little trainers around, the Kai features flexible rubber soles, handcrafted, extra-soft leather in cream and white, and See Kai Run's signature K and faux laces in bright pink. Even the addition of the single Velcro tab across the top just makes me swoon over these shoes.

Little Sister B has been known to turn down shoes if she isn't a fan of the style, but she is also a stickler when it comes to how they feel on her feet. Fortunately, See Kai Run is synonymous with comfort and everything from the durable sole to the generous width to the padded collars to the adjustable fit (courtesy of the Velcro) makes these shoes a hit for her as well as me.

Additionally, Little Sister B immediately liked the fact that she was able to put the Kai on by herself so that she was ready to go.

However, as well as their amazing collection of shoes, See Kai Run has recently added a new line with their incredibly soft and brightly-colored organic socks. Because really, even though I thought that Little Sister B's Kai shoes were adorable enough, they were even cuter paired with the Dots with Moxie socks.

Available in sizes 0-6 months up to 2-3 years (retailing for $10 for two pairs), these socks really do add a fun twist to See Kai Run's already-unique style. The organic cotton blend in the fabric, smooth seamless toes, and non-binding cuffs pamper little feet and Little Sister B couldn't help but smile when she saw them.

As for me, I love the unique and fashionable look of the entire line of See Kai Run shoes as well as their matching socks - they are bright, fashionable, versatile, and there is a style for every season and occasion. From dressy to casual, these aren't the generic shoes that you find in most stores and their latest spring styles will truly add just the right amount of color and flair to any outfit for boys or girls.

Sizes run from 3 to 9 (for approximately ages 6 months - 3 years. For pre- and first-walker shoes, See Kai Run has a collection aptly named Smaller, and, for ages 3 - 8, you'll want to check out the awesomeness of their sister site Eleven) and most shoes are around $42. But check out their great sale page to snag a fashionable pair at a bargain price!

When it comes to children's shoes, sandals and boots, See Kai Run can be counted on for high quality, comfort, and a premium look that will make a statement. They are continually adding more amazing new styles to their line and each season I am never disappointed in the originality and personality that each shoe entails. And, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon get to see why, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of shoes from
See Kai Run or Smaller!

To enter to win: Visit See Kai Run and tell me the name of the adorable shoes (other than the Kai in cream) that are your favorite.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow See Kai Run on Twitter, Like them on Facebook, and/or subscribe to their email newsletter.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN your choice of See Kai Run or Smaller adorable shoes for kids (ARV $42)! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/geXEo9 #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email and/or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on April 15th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to See Kai Run for providing a pair of Kai - cream for me to review as well as the shoes of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

A Closet of Her Own {Review & Giveaway - 2 winners!}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Donna and Bethany C!}

When I walk through the kids' clothing departments in stores, there is an interesting difference that is easily apparent. The girls' sections are filled with pink and purple items, covered in things like butterflies and hearts and daisies. All the while, the boys' sections have blue and red clothing proudly displaying trucks, sports and monsters.

But there's never anything in the middle. What, boys don't like puppies? And girls don't like superheroes? Why is it that I can't find my daughters something that encourages their love of things like cars, bikes and football (because they do love all of those) without having to buy something from the boys' racks?

Well, now I can. Thanks to A Closet of Her Own, all of the girls out there that want to express their interests and talents, no matter how traditionally boyish they are, can show them off in a feminine, adorable way.

By creating and selling shirts that are girly but still reflect the varied interests of girls, particularly those that aren't usually depicted on girls' clothing, A Closet of Her Own has come up with a way to bring joy to girls everywhere. Their collection of bright, colorful and vibrant shirts reflect images that make all kids smile... but show them off in a way that girls can be especially proud.

And let me tell you, Big Sister E and Little Sister B were proud from the moment they put these shirts on.

The Long Sleeve Girls Fire Engine T-Shirt features a hot pink shirt with attached white sleeves, giving a look of wearing two shirts but without the bulky extra layer. The pink, purple, lavender and white fire engine has feminine touches, such as heart-shaped lights and dials, and the inclusion of the word "Heroes" in script finishes the look perfectly.

Big Sister E and Little Sister B couldn't enough of the fire engine itself, pointing at their own and then the one on each other... and then back to their own. "Truck! Truck!" Little Sister B kept exclaiming as she happily gazed at the image while Big Sister E just kept running her hands over it.

In fact, they were having such a good time giggling and hugging each other, that I could only shake my head as they flopped down on the ground while still making fire engine noises and laughing.

I think it's safe to assume that to say my girls love these shirts is somewhat of an understatement.

Big Sister E was also fortunate to receive the cute and stylish Lettuce Edge Short Sleeve Girls Dinosaur T-Shirt, which brought on a second round of making her eyes light up. As she is a big fan of dinosaurs, the purple and lavender open-mouthed stegosaurus was just the thing to accompany the sweet ruffles along the sleeves and bottom of this shirt.

I love the fitted style and the longer length of this shirt, as it seemed to fit Big Sister E's long torso well. And for any girl who likes frills, this is definitely the way to add them on without going completely overboard.

Overall, we're really happy with the Fire Engine and Dinosaur shirts that we received - they are high quality, comfortable, stylish, affordable (there's even free shipping in the U.S.!) and my kids love them... what more could I ask for? There's nothing wrong with the traditional images that are on girls' shirts, of course, but being able to help pass on the message that girls can be girls no matter what their interests are is an especially positive one that I enjoy.

Thanks to the generosity of A Closet of Her Own, two people will also have the chance to stand behind the girls they know, because...

Two lucky people will win their shirt of their choice from
A Closet of Her Own!

To enter to win: Visit A Closet of Her Own and tell me which fabulous shirt is your favorite.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like A Closet of Her Own on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you fill in the blank and leave the following message on their wall: My favorite shirt from A Closet of Her Own is the ______! I just entered to win it (2 winners!) at Thanks, Mail Carrier: http://bit.ly/cf9qVb
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

2 winners! WIN a stylish girls' t-shirt of choice from A Closet of Her Own! #thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/cf9qVb #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and A Closet of Her Own.

Giveaway will end on December 3rd at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open worldwide! If you're reading this, you can enter!

A big thank you to A Closet of Her Own for providing three shirts for me to review as well as one shirt for two lucky giveaway winners. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Magic Cabin Spinning Seesaw {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, fancygrlnancy!}

When Little Sister B was an infant, Big Sister E was enthralled by her. She used to stare at her in wonder and talk about how she was "MY baby sister" and the fun they'd have someday. Unfortunately for her, that time seemed to take forever to actually arrive and the months of having a sister who was just a baby stretched long.

However, it's here now and it's in full swing. I can't remember at what point the shift took place and Little Sister B went from being a playmate that just sort of sat there and watched to a full-fledged best friend, but it has. Seeing the two of them interacting and hugging and laughing and so enamored with one another sometimes renders me speechless and all I can do is look at them with the utmost of pride.

So of course when I am looking for high quality toys and playthings for my girls, I look for ones that they can enjoy together. Ones that are creative and imaginative, yet simple and open-ended. If they happen to involve activity and exercise, even better. Which all adds up to the outdoor toy that has brought endless fun to our yard: the Spinning Seesaw from Magic Cabin.

By combining two elements that kids love -the up and down of a traditional teeter totter and the around and around aspect of a carousel- the result really does end up being twice the fun. A Magic Cabin Exclusive, the Spinning Seesaw isn't something that you're going to find anywhere else. And, according to my kids' evident delight, this level of entertainment would be hard to duplicate.

As soon as the rain stopped around here, we went straight outside to begin constructing our new mini-amusement park. Having kept the Spinning Seesaw a secret from Big Sister E, I just kept shrugging in response to her, "What is it, Mommy? What are you going to build?" and took a look at the parts.

An overall pretty straightforward item to put together, it wasn't long before I had the handles, seats and main bar assembled and ready to go. The only stumbling block came when it was time to use the provided Allen wrench (the L-shaped, six-sided wrench) on the screws for the base.

Having worked fine for all previous tightenings, I was surprised to find that the screws for the base were smaller and therefore the Allen wrench didn't fit. After scratching my head for a minute or two, I went off in search of our collection of Allen wrenches from other projects and managed to find one that was the right size. Had we not already owned one, I'm not sure how we would have completed putting this together.

Alas, the problem was solved and I stood back to admire just how much fun the Spinning Seesaw emitted. If I had not known that it has a 90-lb total weight limit, I would have climbed on to try it out myself. Instead, however, my two testers were more than eager to do the work for me.

With the ability to smoothly glide up and down or in a full 360°, Big Sister E and Little Sister B grasped the concept of the Spinning Seesaw from the moment they sat down. Starting off slowly and picking up more speed as they gained confidence, they had a great time that afternoon playing on there and again every time they have used it since.

I'm really happy with how durable and weather-resistant the metal has proven to be, as I've left the Spinning Seesaw outside in the sun and the rain and it continues to look as good as new. The tripod base is strong and stable and the addition of the ground stakes (which are easily inserted or removed) keeps the entire seesaw solidly in place.

The inclusion of the handlebars and rubber bumpers has been great for ensuring that everyone holds on tight and any jumping or bumping hasn't caused any problems. I did notice that the width of the seat seems slightly small (the portion that is flat before the sides curve up is only five inches wide) but it doesn't seem to bother either of my girls. Considering this is designed for ages 3 - 8, the overall size of the seesaw is just right for this younger age group.

Keeping in line with Magic Cabin's mission to "provide quality toys with simple design to encourage creative, imaginative play," the Spinning Seesaw is a classic toy updated with a modern, unique twist. Early childhood is all about playing, learning and having a good time and with this and all of their other innovative items, Magic Cabin is a great site to go to for years of fun for any lucky child.

Speaking of lucky, due to Magic Cabin's generosity, one person will have their children thinking that it's their lucky day when this arrives, because...

One lucky person will win a Spinning Seesaw
from Magic Cabin! ARV $69.98!

To enter to win: Visit Magic Cabin and tell me one of the other amazing items available there that you would like to own.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you sign up to receive emails from Magic Cabin on their new products, special promotions and savings and/or request a Magic Cabin catalog (note: if you sign up for the catalog and enter your email address, you will be eligible for both entries).
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Magic Cabin Spinning Seesaw ($70) for endless up & down and around & around fun! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/aNolzm #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Magic Cabin.

Giveaway will end on October 8th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Magic Cabin for providing a Spinning Seesaw for review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

If there is life insurance and wedding insurance, can I have mom insurance?

There seems to be insurance for just about everything these days. Car insurance for those large or small fender-benders, travel insurance for when your trip is canceled, wedding insurance for the unexpected ice storm or missing officiant, pet insurance to ensure your dog gets the best care possible... the list goes on and on.

So, can I have mom insurance? I want a company that can guarantee that my kids are going to play nicely, eat their vegetables and clean up their toys without whining. If there happens to be a rainy day, I want my policy to state that my girls will not complain, cry or begin to pick on each other out of boredom.

If the best wedding insurance covers everything except for cold feet, then the best mom insurance would surely have a clause for teething, lack of sleep and the sniffles. When I sign up, I'll send them a set of pictures like this:


...and tell them that I want these types of days. Always. The girls will be filled with smiles, laughter and contagious giggling and I will have an endless supply of patience and energy to keep us all that way. No one will bicker or argue or yell and life will just be... good.

Doesn't it sound like mom insurance would be more beneficial than wedding insurance? Wouldn't you buy it?

Rump-Roast {Review & Giveaway} Personalized photo-art apparel

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Like all moms, there are days that I have no idea what I'm doing. When it comes to my kids, have I made the best possible choices? Are they going to grow up to realize their full potential, if not more, due to my parenting?

Who knows? Those are the questions that really will never be answered. What I am sure of, however, is that the best gift I've ever given to both of them is each other. As much as it's great to have ol' Mom and Dad around, nothing can compare to the love that these sisters have for each other.

The excitement on Little Sister B's face when she catches a glimpse of her older sister for the first time in the morning and the tenderness that Big Sister E displays when she shows her younger sister how to play with any particular toy... not to mention the amount of time they spend giggling and hugging each other. I'm constantly amazed by how special their relationship is already and how much I wish for it to continue as they grow up.

So what could be better to celebrate their great sibling love than a shirt to display that message? But a traditional, off-the-rack I Love My Sister shirt just won't do. Instead, how about one that is original and personalized and shows off exactly how cute they are in an adorable, customized way? Where to find just that? From the humorous and adorable collection at Rump-Roast, of course.

After having a child and leaving her film and photographic production company in 2006, Danielle Moir-Kaplan went looking for a way to creatively display the love that surrounds children from their family. With 140 unique and fun templates to choose from, Rump-Roast has a design for everyone that can be customized to fit just for you.

The most difficult part about ordering from Rump-Roast was deciding which cute design was my favorite. I knew that Big Sister E would be really excited to wear a shirt with a picture of her and her sister on it, but there were so many styles that I really liked. True Love Plain was one of my top choices... but I just couldn't find a single picture that I liked enough.

When I came upon the sibling shirts, I knew they were perfect. After pondering the Sibling + Sibling = Family Candy Font design for a while, I decided that the Sibling + Sibling = Love Block Border was perfect. Uploading and previewing my pictures couldn't have been easier and it took only a second or two to edit them to fit in the boxes like I wanted. I then had the option of choosing the color for both the frames and the text before selecting the size and item of clothing I preferred (onesie, t-shirt, tank top or karate pants).

Considering the result and the response this shirt has received from Big Sister E (and everyone else who has seen it - my husband included), Rump-Roast is definitely a big hit. So much so, that someone else loves getting in on the action as well and checking out the happy faces...

The quality of our Rump-Roast shirt is top notch with both the fabric and the printing itself. The cotton is soft and comfortable and the images were transferred in such a way that they blend right into the shirt, showing no signs of peeling or fading away. Even after having been worn by a 3-year-old, washed and dried, Big Sister E's Rump-Roast shirt shows no wear or tear at all.

With sizes available for 0 up to 12 years (prices range from $18.50 to $24.75) and designs for parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles or friends, there is sure to be more than one unique and amusing Rump-Roast style to celebrate the child(ren) in your life. What a great way to show how much you care for any special occasion or holiday!

As well as providing stellar customer service and taking extreme measures to protect your privacy (your photos are deleted from the server immediately after completing your order), Rump-Roast is extending their generosity so that one person can make their own one-of-a-kind wearable art, because...

One lucky person will win their own customized photo-art shirt from Rump-Roast!

To enter to win: Visit Rump-Roast and tell me which design is your favorite. It's hard to choose just one!

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Rump-Roast on Twitter, Like them on Facebook and/or follow the Rump-Roast blog with Google Friend Connect.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Rump-Roast personalized, wearable photo-art adorable shirt from @rumproastkids! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/91Rmt0 #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Rump-Roast. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on July 8th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open worldwide! If you're reading this, you can enter!

A big thank you to Rump-Roast for providing a customized shirt for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

By Baby {Review & Giveaway} Handprint and Footprint Impressions Keepsake

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

In an attempt to be crafty for my mother-in-law's birthday a few years ago, my husband and I used an at-home plaster kit to make a decorative print of Big Sister E's hands. The result? A gritty, bumpy, uneven gray slab that is nice enough to keep... out in the yard. It's the thought that counts, right?

Had I known there was another way to preserve the memories, a way to create a beautiful keepsake that would be high quality and gorgeous and worthy of displaying in any room of the house, I would have chosen that route instead. Because if I had known that the amazing creations from By Baby are stunning enough to last a lifetime, our gift would surely have been treasured for just as long.

Their full names are on the actual piece and the font is perfect. Just the right combination of cute and classic.

By Baby is a small, mom-owned business that captures children's hand and foot impressions in ceramic clay and handcrafts them into a unique, high-quality keepsake that any parent or grandparent will love. Whether you are creating a print of one child or siblings or making adorable ornaments or the most unique birth plaque (order one and bring it to the hospital with you!), By Baby is the place to go for premium gifts for yourself or others.

Fully customizable and extremely easy to use, the impression-making kits you receive after ordering from By Baby are mess-free and a lot of fun to use. Instead of the sloppy mixing that we used on our own, this kit came with clear instructions and multiple containers of soft, child-friendly modeling dough.

Instead of me stressing about chalky plaster getting everywhere, both Big Sister E and Little Sister B were more than happy to help roll out the dough and press their hand directly into their own section. When we needed to retake Little Sister B's (due to her having too much fun smooshing the dough), all that was required was to roll it back into a ball and flatten it out once again. There is definitely mom ingenuity behind these kits!


After zipping the imprints in plastic bags and packing them neatly into the provided box, I sat down to choose between all of the wonderful personalization options for my Sibling Print. By Baby doesn't just allow you to add in your child's name, you have a great array of options when it comes to the shape, layout, font, text, print colors and even the ribbon to adorn your print. You can add upgrades such as polka dots, stripes and any number of cute icons.

After mailing off my selections and impressions to By Baby, the only thing left to do was wait. In approximately 6 weeks, our Sibling Print arrived, safely-wrapped and in pristine condition. After having seen the samples online, I had an idea of what this would look like but actually seeing the keepsake in person is another story. The details are amazing!


Along with turning my choices of shape, font and more into a beautiful print, even the small aspects are pretty incredible. Each little line in my daughters' hands is shown and the depth of the 3-dimensional ceramic is just right. I love the way the colors go together perfectly and the shine off of the piece grabs your eye and makes you want to examine it closely. When my husband first saw it he commented on how well it had turned out, which is an extreme rarity for him. Thumbs up, By Baby!

As well as their gorgeous Hand and Footprint Keepsakes, By Baby has many other beautiful gifts that the whole family can be involved with and anyone would love to receive. This is definitely the premiere site to visit for ceramic impression keepsakes that will be cherished for a lifetime. Plus, thanks to the generosity of By Baby, one person will get to create their own amazing masterpiece, because...

One lucky person will win a Double Print Keepsake* from By Baby! ARV $67!

*The prize will be awarded in the form of a gift certificate, so the winner will also have the option of putting it towards a different By Baby item, if preferred.

To enter to win: Visit By Baby, browse their wonderful selection of products and tell me which one(s) you would like to own or give as gifts.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you tell me about a favorite keepsake of any kind that you have or would like to own.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to WIN a gorgeous By Baby Double Print Keepsake ($67) to cherish forever @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/dwo7Of #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or Like me on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and By Baby. Please leave an address where it can be found.


Giveaway will end on May 27th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to By Baby for providing a Sibling Print Keepsake for me to review as well as a Double Print Keepsake for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Eleven Collection {Review & Giveaway and Coupon Code} Shoes for Little Travelers

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

There's something to be said for kids and their outright honesty. Even though I'm not a fan of the times when Big Sister E comments out loud about the people we encounter in public, I hope that she grows up to always say how she feels and isn't afraid to speak her mind (just possibly with a little more tact).

Therefore, using a 3-year-old as a product reviewer really is a perfect way of receiving a 100% truthful and sincere opinion on everything from clothing to toys to food. So when I opened the box to show Big Sister E her new shoes from Eleven Collection and she responded, "Let's wear these RIGHT NOW," I already knew that we had a winner.


One glance and it's easy to see that Big Sister E was right. The Chloe Pink are the cutest Mary Janes around, featuring cute leather uppers in soft pink with cream trim and flower accents. The addition of the tiny cut-outs by the toes and the sweet hint of the green leaves come together to give these the right combination of casual and dressy while still being full-on adorable.

For Big Sister E, her shoes have to also feel great on her feet and, fortunately for her, Eleven Collection is synonymous with comfort. The leather is soft and smooth, the rubber sole is flexible and durable and there is plenty of traction to help keep her moving safely. Inside, the cushioned insoles give cushy padding all around and the Velcro closures allow for us to adjust the shoes to fit her perfectly (as well as making it so that she can put them on by herself).

Additionally, a big plus is that shoes from Eleven are ready to wear right out of the box and don't require being "broken in." From the first time Big Sister E put them on, she was ready to go and I could tell by the way she was running and jumping that she was extremely happy with her new shoes. Considering they are the best of all worlds, how could she not be?

As for me, I love the unique look of the entire line of Eleven Collection shoes. They are bright, unique, fashionable and versatile and run from a size 9 to a size 3 (for approximately ages 3 - 8. For pre- and first-walker shoes, Eleven has a fantastic sister company, See Kai Run).

From dressy to casual, these shoes are not only stylish but don't look at all like the rows of generic shoes that you find in most stores. Their Spring/Summer 2010 styles will truly add just the right amount of color and flair to any outfit for boys or girls.

When it comes to children's shoes, sandals and boots, Eleven Collection can be counted on for high quality, comfort and a premium look that will make a statement. They are continually adding more amazing new styles to their line and each season I am never disappointed in the originality and personality that each shoe entails.

If that isn't enough, from now through May 20, 2010 enter the coupon code thanksmailcarrier20 and you'll receive a 20% discount off of your entire purchase. Take advantage of this great deal to stock up for the next few seasons! Plus, thanks to Eleven's generosity, one person will get to outfit their child in the hottest shoes around, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of shoes from Eleven Collection! ARV $50!

To enter to win: Visit Eleven Collection and tell me which of their adorable pairs of shoes are your favorite(s).

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Eleven on Twitter, become a fan (Like) on Facebook and/or send Eleven Collection your email information to join their mailing list.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN cute Eleven Collection shoes (ARV $50) for your little traveler @thxmailcarrier from @ElevenShoes! http://bit.ly/akFAhv #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Eleven Collection. Please leave an address where it can be found.


Giveaway will end on May 20th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

A huge thank you to Eleven Collection for providing shoes for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.