Ahh Prods Bean Bag ~ Review & Giveaway {$50 gift certificate}

Congratulations Comment #138...Shannon, you Won!!!!

To say we LOVE our Ahh Prods bean bag chair would be a total understatement. If you spent a day in our home, you’d see how much this bean bag is loved, by ALL of us. I had been researching bean bags in preparation for our new schoolroom and found several online, but was honestly a bit skeptical without ever being able to sit in them. I knew the ones I could find at my local retailer weren’t what I wanted-I just wasn’t sure which route to go. I was drawn to the Ahh Prods Bean Bags site {which I found through a Google search} and ended up contacting them to see if they would be interested in a review…thankfully they were! My amazing bean bag arrived soon after that and the love affair began. I knew we would like it, I had no idea how much we would love it.

From the moment the box was opened, everyone was just in awe. It is SUPER soft {we chose the cuddle fabric in navy blue-which is the same fabric my mom uses to sew baby blankets out of!}. This fabric is not only soft, but also extremely durable-I know this from the blankets!

Our little Ladybug, who is almost 1 1/2 thinks the bean bag is her bed ;-). She loves for us to dig her a little hole and let her lay in it while she watches her favorite show!

She also thinks it is a super fun toy…

Our boys rotate days using the bean bag for independent reading time,

and often will end up in it together…getting along well just so they can share it. If they fight-I get it!

The bean bag has been used for a chair in other various locations, this was one of my favorites!

Ahh Prods bean bags all come with an outer cover which is WASHABLE, along with an inner cover that protects the beads from moisture. This is a VERY important feature, as I am sure any of you with kids will understand! You can see detailed product info here.

We have had our bean bag for about 2 months now and it is actually more comfortable for all of us now that it has been worn in a bit!

I highly recommend this bean bag, and I don’t say that lightly as I know it is more expensive than the type of bean bags you can find elsewhere. The quality far surpasses any bean bag I have personally seen and the fact that it can be washed, refilled if necessary, and even recovered ~ lets me know that this bean bag will be around for a long time. Unlike our $30 bean bag that our cat peed on and ruined. Of course there was no liner so the nastiness soaked through to the beans and damaged it permanently. We don’t have to worry about this one since we can wash the cover and the inner liner will protect the beads from moisture!

An AhhProds Bean Bag would make an excellent Christmas gift for your family and would be something every member would enjoy. They carry different sizes, we have the 37”. My husband really wants the giant, although he does fit in the 37”. You can see excellent photo comparisons of the different sizes they carry to get an even better idea. We are thrilled that we will be getting at least one more bean bag we just haven’t chosen our fabric yet!

They even offer free fabric swatches if you are trying to match something or just decide between different fabrics. The customer service has been amazing! Shipping was awesome too, when my order was placed, it arrived in just a few days!!! The BIG box became a play fort for the boys too…added bonus!!!

AhhProds.com is donating a $50 Gift Certificate to one winner!

BUY IT…
Can’t wait to see if you’ll win? You can use this special discount code until October 31, 2010 to receive $10 off of a regular-priced bean bag chair: 1111off10

WIN IT…
www.AhhProds.com is offering a $50 gift certificate to one winner!

Mandatory Entry…
Visit www.AhhProds.com and tell me your favorite item and the page name where you found it after you browse around their site a bit. Leave the name of the item and URL (page name) in your 1st comment!

Ex: I like the Fun Paisley Fleece Bean Bag Chair: http://www.ahhprods.com/inc/sdetail/28113

After you do that, you can gain some extra entries by any of the following, remember to leave an extra comment for each item so they will count as entries...

1. If you follow @beanbagchairs on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway, give yourself an extra entry. Feel free to copy and Tweet this: Do you want an awesome bean bag chair? Head over to @1plus1plus1 who is hosting a giveaway for @beanbagchairs here: http://bit.ly/9BwydZ
2. If you follow @1plus1plus1 on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway, give yourself an extra entry. Feel free to copy and Tweet this: Do you want an awesome bean bag chair? Head over to @1plus1plus1 who is hosting a giveaway for @beanbagchairs here: http://bit.ly/9BwydZ
3. If you Like 1+1+1=1 on Facebook, give yourself an extra entry.
4. If you Like AHH! Bean Bag Chairs on Facebook, give yourself an extra entry.
5. If you subscribe to /follow 1+1+1=1, give yourself an extra entry.

This Giveaway is open for anyone!

I will select a winner using Random.org, so be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry, I will also be moderating comments to check that your entries are valid-please be honest!

Contest ENDS November 1, 2010. Winner will be announced here and on the AhhProds Bean Bags Blog, and emailed (your email MUST be in each comment/or enabled in blogger). Winner must reply to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

The Jesus Book ~ Review

We have had this book, The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins,  for some time now…and have been reading bits and pieces over time.  Here are our thoughts…

• The illustrations are awesome, I specifically like that Jesus has dark hair!
• It is not a book I would recommend sitting and reading straight through, but rather using it more as a reference tool to look up certain things about Jesus.  There are categories {Who, What, Where, When, Why, How} and short excerpts digging deeper into specifics about Jesus.
• The stories are well done and simple, yet explain a lot.  Pac Man {age 8} really enjoyed the book and read much of it on his own, then asking me questions later.  Krash {age 4} enjoyed it too, but he doesn’t have great comprehension skills so much of it was over his head.  He was drawn into the illustrations though.
• Overall I am glad we own this book, as it is unlike any other children’s Bible storybook we have.  It is one I am sure we will go back to over the years as we dig deeper and deeper into the life of our Savior!
• I would recommend this book, and I especially think of my blog readers who have emailed me telling me that they did not grow up in a Christian home yet want to teach their children about Jesus.  Many of you have expressed that you are learning right along with your children, I think this book would be great for you!

You can buy The Jesus Book here on Amazon.  See the book info page here on the Thomas Nelson Website.

Do you want to review books on your blog, here’s where I got this one…

Usborne Books ~ Giveaway ~ 2 Winners!

Congratulations #94-Julie and #16-Stephanie...YOU WON!!!

Usborne books are awesome. I drool over the tables at homeschool conferences, I thumb through the catalogs, and envy my friends who have tons of their books. When Stacie contacted me to see if I would be interested in hosting a review/giveaway I said YES, happily! When we got the review products in the mail it was pure joy! She generously sent us these awesome products {click on the images to see details}…

We loved everything so very much, but I must say the book, In the Castle has been read SO many times already. Seriously…a new VERY FAVORITE BOOK around here.

I love this shot of Ladybug asking me to help her get the puzzle out. She loves these books {we have 2 like this}. Krash still loves them too!

Pac Man enjoys his USA States and Capitals Learning Wrap. He said it is MUCH better than writing on a worksheet! We have been studying USA Geography a ton lately, so this was perfect for him!

Krash and I are looking forward to working through the 123 Sticker Book together during our preschool time! We are just so thankful for the wonderful items Stacie sent to us! I highly recommend each item!

BUY IT!

Can’t wait to see if you will win? You can purchase your own Usborne Books right here! Stacie is generously offering a FREE SHIPPING credit for orders over $50! The credit will come in the form of a refund check mailed to you. You must use this link to get the credit…it is an Usborne show set up just for my readers! If you have any questions about orders, please contact Stacie directly.

WIN IT!!

Stacie is generously donating TWO $25.00 gift certificates to her Usborne Books Site! That’s right…TWO of you will win!!!

Mandatory Entry…

Visit Usborne Books and tell me what your favorite item{s} is after you browse around the site a bit. Leave the name of the item{s} in your 1st comment!

After you do that, you can gain some extra entries by any of the following, remember to leave an extra comment for each item so they will count as entries...

1. If you Follow/Subscribe to 1+1+1=1 give yourself an extra entry.
2. If you Follow/Subscribe to Stacie’s blog The Amazing Mess {great for preschoolers} give yourself an extra entry!
3. If you Follow/Subscribe to Stacie’s Usborne Book Blog give yourself an extra entry!
4. If you follow @1plus1plus1 on Twitter AND tweet about the giveaway, give yourself an extra entry! Feel free to copy and tweet this: @1plus1plus1 is hosting a giveaway for Usborne Books here...http://bit.ly/auuG5w
5. If you follow Stacie on Twitter @1AmazingMess give yourself an extra entry!

This Giveaway is open for anyone!

I will select a winner using Random.org, so be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry, I will also be moderating comments to check that your entries are valid-please be honest!

Contest ENDS October 3, 2010. Winner will be announced here, and emailed (your email MUST be in each comment/or enabled in blogger). Winner must reply to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Guidecraft Moms...

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already heard, but if not…you can now learn about the new Guidecraft Mom Bloggers team! You will recognize many of the moms, as they are almost all Totally Tots contributors! That’s right…Guidecraft has partnered with us in a big way! I am one of the Mom Bloggers and will be able to provide reviews and giveaways for you all year long-along with the rest of this team!

To kick things off, my good friend Jolanthe will be hosting a BIG Twitter party that you will most certainly want to take part in. Even if you are clueless about Twitter-I promise now is the time to learn! 2 people will win $500 gift cards to the Guidecraft store!!! AMAZING! On top of that, four other toys will be given away during the 1 hour party and even a set of Magneatos will be given to someone who simply RSVP’s to the Twitter party. You can learn all about it here {and even how to participate in the party}. Jolanthe does an awesome job explaining it all. I will be there, hope to “see you there.”

Seeds Family Worship ~ Giveaway!

Congratulations Wendi #359, YOU WON!!!!

Didn't win? You can purchase Seeds Family Worship CDs on their site here, using coupon code 1plus1plus1 for 20% off. You can also buy Seeds on Amazon and iTunes.

Thank you Seeds Family Worship for all you do to spread the GOOD NEWS!!!

If you have been a blog reader of mine for awhile, you certainly know that I LOVE Seeds Family Worship!!! We were sent the cd set for review awhile back and they quickly became a family favorite. Such a favorite, that it became the new featured music for the In My Heart feature on Totally Tots!

We have started using these songs and the printables from Totally Tots for our family Raising Rock Stars time. We still do Bible topic lessons, but mix the Seeds verses in also now! The kids LOVE it, and so do we. It is a simple way to teach God’s Word without having to create elaborate plans. Our favorite family night by far was when we focused on the song “Out of the Mud.” We made a slimy pit and everything, here’s Daddy pulling them out of the mud… see more here!

We use many of the different printables, and they have really helped with memorization and mostly APPLICATION. The mini verse cards are great for taking each portion of the verse separately and explaining its meaning.

I can’t say enough about the music itself, it is truly amazing! I listen to it by myself quite often, I enjoy it as much as the kids do. The music is awesome, I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!

BUY IT!

You can purchase Seeds Family Worship CDs on their site here, using coupon code 1plus1plus1 for 20% off. You can also buy Seeds on Amazon and iTunes.

WIN IT!!

Seeds Family Worship is generously donating a set of 5 CDs! That means 1 of you will win the entire 5 CD set!

Mandatory Entry…

Visit www.SeedsFamilyWorship.net and browse around a bit. Leave a comment telling me you’d love to win the CD set!

After you do that, you can gain some extra entries by any of the following, remember to leave an extra comment for each item so they will count as entries...

1. If you Follow/Subscribe to 1+1+1=1 give yourself an extra entry.
2. If you register for Seeds Family Worship’s newsletter, give yourself an extra entry. {see yellow arrow below}
3. If you follow @1plus1plus1 on Twitter AND tweet about the giveaway, give yourself an extra entry! Feel free to copy and tweet this: @1plus1plus1 is hosting a giveaway for @seedsworship CDs here...http://bit.ly/cgNspT
   
4. If you follow @seedsworship on Twitter, give yourself an extra entry!
5. If you LIKE 1+1+1=1 on Facebook, give yourself an extra entry!
6. If you LIKE Seeds Family Worship on Facebook, give yourself an extra entry!
7. If you Follow/Subscribe to Totally Tots, give yourself an extra entry!

This Giveaway is open for USA!

I will select a winner using Random.org, so be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry, I will also be moderating comments to check that your entries are valid-please be honest!

Contest ENDS September 21, 2010. Winner will be announced here, and emailed (your email MUST be in each comment/or enabled in blogger). Winner must reply to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

The Felted Pear ~ GIVEAWAY! CLOSED

Congratulations #85 Julie, you won!

For those of you who didn't win, remember...

Susan is also offering my readers a limited time 20% discount code! She will refund 20% of your purchase when you enter the code 1plus1plus1! If you have any questions you can contact Susan through Etsy. This discount code is good now through 9/17/10.

To say we LOVE our felt food from The Felted Pear would be a total understatement!!!! I knew we would like it, I had no idea how much my children {all 3 of them} would LOVE it!!!

Susan from Chasing Marcus has been a long time blog reader and Tot School participant, so when I saw she opened up her own Etsy store I was super excited for her!!! She sent us the most amazing package, it was like Christmas in July when we opened it.

The night we opened it, the 2 littles had a bit of a fight over who got to be in control of the food pile, it was so funny.

Ladybug enjoyed putting it in and out of her bag. Stirring the food is a fun event for her also!

After the littles got their time, my oldest, Pac Man {who is 8}, spent some time playing with all of the food by himself. He LOVED it and asked me to pull up the website to look at what we could possibly order. He fell in love with the spaghetti, the omelet, and the sandwich! It was precious seeing how excited he got browsing through her site. He was also amazed that it was all hand made.

From a mom’s perspective, I was VERY impressed. The attention to detail was amazing! Susan does a wonderful job creating a one of a kind toy for your children.

BUY IT!

You can purchase your own hand made felt food here from The Felted Pear. Isn’t it lovely to know you are not only getting a great product but also supporting a fellow mom! Susan is also offering my readers a limited time 20% discount code! She will refund 20% of your purchase when you enter the code 1plus1plus1! If you have any questions you can contact Susan through Etsy. This discount code is good now through 9/17/10.

WIN IT!!

Susan is generously donating a $40 Gift Certificate to The Felted Pear! That means you get to choose any combination that you want!!!!

Mandatory Entry…

Visit The Felted Pear and tell me what your favorite item{s} is after you browse around the site a bit. Leave the name of the item{s} in your 1st comment!

After you do that, you can gain some extra entries by any of the following, remember to leave an extra comment for each item so they will count as entries...

1. If you Follow/Subscribe to 1+1+1=1 give yourself an extra entry.
2. If you Follow/Subscribe to Chasing Marcus {Susan’s blog} give yourself an extra entry.
3. If you LIKE The Felted Pear on Facebook, give yourself an extra entry!
4. If you follow @1plus1plus1 on Twitter AND tweet about the giveaway, give yourself an extra entry! Feel free to copy and tweet this: @1plus1plus1 is hosting a giveaway for hand made felt food here... http://bit.ly/cozVaL
5. If you have no sewing skills what so ever and could never even dream of making felt food on your own, give yourself an extra entry! ;-)

This Giveaway is open for anyone!

I will select a winner using Random.org, so be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry, I will also be moderating comments to check that your entries are valid-please be honest!

Contest ENDS September 12, 2010. Winner will be announced here, and emailed (your email MUST be in each comment/or enabled in blogger). Winner must reply to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

YANCY ~ Rock-N-Happy Heart CD Giveaway CLOSED

Congratulations Jen and Stacy! You each win a CD!

I was recently sent an awesome Yancy Rock-N-Happy Heart CD and devotional book to review. I had never heard of Yancy but am always looking for awesome products for preteen girls specifically. I developed and lead the God’s Girls program at our inner-city church. We lead a group of about twelve 10-13 year old girls each year and spend an intense week teaching them about what God’s word says about many issues. We put an major focus on modesty and purity, while also sharing about many other issues relevant to young girls today. This week long program then turns into our weekly God's Girls Sunday school class which I also lead.

When I was contacted to see if I would be interested in reviewing this CD and devotional I was thrilled, as I immediately thought of the possibility that it could be a great new resource for the God’s Girls program in addition to sharing the music with my own children!

The daily devotional book is wonderful. I will definitely be using it as a resource with my God’s Girls!!!

After listening to the music, I was excited to learn a few things…

1. I LIKE the music! I have actually added a couple of the tracks to my “Mommy’s Quiet Music” playlist on my iPod!
2. It is scripturally based! I am very picky when it comes to music, even Christian music ;-). I was happy to listen and even hear verses within the songs. The message of Jesus is loud and clear, I love it!
3. It is COOL! Yup, it’s hip, modern, cool and awesome!!!!

I would highly recommend this CD especially if you have kids {of any age}!!!! I like the music, so I can imagine that those of you with kids will really enjoy this music along with your children! With all of the worldly music out there for young kids {especially in the preteen age range}, it is nice to see a cd that is “cool” and Godly!!!

The songs are mostly all written by Yancy herself, which I think is so awesome. I absolutely adore singer/songwriters!!! I was also surprised and happy to hear the song “My Savior, My God” written by Aaron Shust, a well known Christian song these days!. You can see lyrics to all of the songs on the cd here in an awesome PDF format.

In case you’re not convinced yet, here's two videos I found on YouTube. This is the awesome song Shout it Out…

Here’s one that gave me chills, a little 4 year old singing Shout it Out with Yancy, it’s so cute!!!!

BUY IT…

You can purchase Yancy’s Rock-N-Happy Heart cd on her site, and also here on Amazon, or here on CBD. If you order both the CD and the devotional book, you can get the best deal on her site by getting them both for $20 {the option is listed right under the cd purchasing info}. They are also located in Christian book stores around the country!

WIN IT!!!

Yancy is giving away 2 copies of her CD Rock-N-Happy Heart! That means 2 of you will win!!

Mandatory Entry…

Visit Yancy’s website and just take a peek! You don’t have to do anything special, just visit the site and leave a comment to say you’d like to win!

After you do that, you can gain some extra entries by any of the following, remember to leave an extra comment for each item so they will count as entries...

1. If you subscribe/follow 1+1+1=1 give yourself an extra entry
2. If you follow @1plus1plus1 on Twitter give yourself an extra entry
3. If you follow @yancynotnancy on Twitter give yourself an extra entry
4. If you Like 1+1+1=1 on Facebook give yourself an extra entry
5. If you would blog about your win give yourself an extra entry

This Giveaway is open for USA/Canada only.

I will select a winner using Random.org, so be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry, I will also be moderating comments to check that your entries are valid-please be honest!

Contest ENDS August 25, 2009. Winner will be announced here, and emailed (your email MUST be in each comment/or enabled in blogger). Winner must reply to my email within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.