review - hooey!critic

animal lovers

September 1, 2010 by Neena 12 Comments

One of my classmates recently pointed out that there is a difference between animal owners and animal lovers. I agreed with him immediately, but I really didn’t think much more about it until I was driving home from class. Stay with me here…

I mentioned that my youngest recently started preschool and I’m doing okay with it.

On the outside.

On the inside I’m struggling. I’ve come to the realization that the baby phase is officially over for our family. I‘ve known it was over for some time, but lately I’ve been hit with new realizations. I’ve never gone this long without being pregnant. My youngest is in school two days a week. And, there will never be another instance of that fresh, pink baby smell in this house.

It’s an overwhelming feeling. A sad feeling. Most people tell me I should be thrilled to have two morning a week to shop or get a pedicure and that I’ll end up loving the time to myself. While all that may be true it hurts to know that I’m done being the mom of babies. I’m the mom of kids.

And that’s different.

I was good at being a mom to little babies. Though my husband might argue I’d like to think I was good at being pregnant. It was so much of my world for so long. And, now it’s different.

So, when I arrived home the other night feeling quite sad about the end of my baby phase, one of our pets came to sit with me. Tux, the cat.

He curled up next to me and purred. I knew he could sense that I was struggling with things and his only solution was to just sit with me and purr.

Simple. Loving.

And unbelievably helpful.

I realize the below the surface benefit that come from having the unconditional love of an animal because I’m more than just an animal owner.

I am an animal lover. I believe in their healing powers and I support their rights. I couldn’t sleep if they weren’t cuddled in the bed with me. I’d take in every homeless on of them if I wasn’t afraid my husband would divorce me. And, when I’m struggling to accept the passing of one precious phase of my life, there’s nothing more comforting than the soft purr of a creature that wants nothing more than to love me.

In the moment. And, forever.

This post was sponsored by the From Left to Write Book Club’s latest pick Cowboy and Wills, the story of a boy with autism and the power of one dog’s love. In full disclosure I received a complimentary copy of the book for participating.

Filed Under: book club, review

Jump Start Escape From Adventure Island: A Review

November 6, 2009 by Neena 1 Comment

I’ve mentioned before how much my kids love anything and everything Jump Start.

I’ve also mentioned before how much I can appreciate games that are both fun and educational. Well, I now have another great game to add to the different tools my kids use to learn and have fun: Jump Start Escape From Adventure Island!

Jump Start gave me a pre-release copy of the game to enjoy with the kids. This new game allows players the opportunity to practice 150+ math, reading, and critical thinking skills through 3D adventures on both land and water! They must explore the island, discover a way to escape, and repair their blimp to escape the mysterious island.

The game is meant for ages 5-9 and has been given a rating of E for everyone. It retails for $29.99 and will be available November 16, 2009.

My five year old loved any and all parts of the game that allowed her to practice reading. She’s been working with sight words at school as she learns to read and she loved being able to identify different words throughout the game. Quite a few of the math skills are a little above her level, but I appreciate her being exposed at such a young age. My four year old struggled a bit with the Wii remote, but loved the different underwater adventures. He honestly got the most enjoyment out of helping his sister navigate when she was playing.

While both of the Jump Start Wii games have been a hit around our house, I’m still most impressed with the website and its games. I love the different levels, skills, and ease of use that the kids have when they play. I appreciate the fact that the Wii games and the website can be played without much supervision. I know the content is safe, educational, and age appropriate.

If your interested in winning a copy check out Jump Start’s blog for a great adventure contest!

Filed Under: jump start, review

Jump Start Pet Rescue: A Review

August 31, 2009 by Neena 1 Comment

A while back I did a review on Jump Start’s interactive website for kids. I was lucky enough to get to meet some of the Jump Start folks while I was in Chicago and was offered the chance to review their new Wii game, Jump Start Pet Rescue!

My kids loved the website so much that I knew the Wii game would be a hit. Once it arrived in the mail the kids couldn’t wait to play it. They were so anxious to see what adventures they would have that they almost couldn’t sit still long enough to be given instructions on how to play.

The game is rated EC for early childhood and contains over 30 different games and over 100 different activities focused on learning and skills! The game allows each character to personalize their look and outfit in the dressing tent. Each player can build their own house, visit the library to read books, and adopt and care for a pet of their choice.

While my kids struggles a bit with the coordination it took to use the Wii remote they absolutely loved the game. They enjoyed the adventures and couldn’t wait to play longer to see what other treasures they could find. The baby, who’s only 20 months, even sat on the floor mesmerized by the colors and movement on the screen.

As a parent I loved the fact that they were learning while engaged in this type of play. I felt comfortable leaving the room because I knew they wouldn’t encounter anything that would be inappropriate. The game was on their level and kept them excited and focused for quite a while. I even managed to read a few chapters in my book while they were playing! I say that makes the game a success.

I think the folks at Jump Start are on to something. Their computer games, and now video games, are engaging, exciting, and valuable to the kids that are playing. They aren’t mindless ways to kill time and I appreciate that. I only wish more games like this were available for such a young age group!

If you are interested in learning more about Jump Start and their line of great learning products, please check out their website.

Filed Under: review

Better restock the fire extinguisher!

July 21, 2009 by Neena 4 Comments

Look what’s coming for the kids!

All Children’s Furniture, an online company that sells everything from toddler beds to toys, offered me the chance to try out an education toy! I chose the Earthquake and Volcano Science kit. I figured it would provide for some good bonding time with their Daddy, the Science Geek of the family. I think he’s secretly been waiting for the day when our children become interested in the same ‘geek stuff’ he enjoys.

I’ll be hiding at the mall with the baby the day they decided to break it in!

Filed Under: review

No Nasty Chemicals and a Giveaway

June 9, 2009 by Neena 15 Comments

And the winner is:

Congratulations Mommy Lisa! Email me at mamaneena@hotmail.com to claim your prize! Thanks to everyone who entered! I’ll have another ‘Green’ giveaway coming up soon!

These days many people are making a conscience effort to live a little greener. My family is no exception. We are trying to limit the amount of processed food in our diets. We are working toward buying more locally grown, organic produce. And, we’re making a strong effort at home to recycle and limit the amount of chemicals in the house. That is why I was so excited when I was contacted by ECOSTORE and asked to pick and review one of their products.

ECOSTORE is a New Zealand based company that is committed to offering safe and healthy alternatives to the common products people use. This includes hair care, baby care, laundry care, cleaners, and gardening products. Check out the objectives the company lists on their website:

To provide the best natural ecological products to help protect people’s health by minimising exposure to harmful chemicals.
To help reduce the overall negative impact of our everyday living and business practices on the environment.
To help develop and grow people’s understanding of the true cost to the environment of the everyday products we use.
To inspire change by offering convenient, practical solutions.
To educate people so they are able to make better, more informed decisions when choosing products.

Not bad, huh!? But, would the products be a good as the claimed to be?

I chose to try the Aloe Shampoo and Conditioner. I’m a sucker for a good hair product and never hesitate to try something new. Before I even tried it I noticed what a great smell the products had. This is a must with me. I never buy a shampoo before I’ve opened the lid and taken a sniff of the product. This smelled clean, fresh, and reminded me a bit of Summer.

The products are plant based and the company prides themselves on the fact that their products contain no nasty chemicals* I could immediately tell the difference in how their shampoo felt compared to the shampoos I buy at the grocery store. Theirs seemed a bit thinner, not nearly as greasy, and not as easily lathered. But, all that can be overlooked because I have been using the products for a week now and my hair feels great! It is soft, manageable, and shiny without being greasy. I have seen an improvement in my frizz and can even say that the bit of dandruff I was fighting has improved! I love the smell and the fact that the product was in no way tested on animals. I’m actually excited to try it on my children, especially my girls. Both of them have curly hair that easily tangles. I wonder how these shampoos and conditioners will fair.

The shampoos and conditioners retail for $10.95 and up. Check out their website for more information on their products.

Now, here’s the fun part! ECOSTORE is sponsoring a giveaway for a $25 gift certificate to one lucky reader! Here’s your chance to try any of their products! Just leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered to win. Tweet the contest and leave a second comment and you’ll earn another entry! Contest will end Tuesday at noon!

Don’t you want to live a little greener, too!?

Filed Under: contest, review

Jump Start: (Winner!!!)

March 31, 2009 by Neena 10 Comments

And the winner of a 3 month membership to JumpStart is…

Congratulations Tutus, Feather Boas, and Sticky Fingers!!! Email me at mamaneena@hotmail.com to claim your prize! Thanks to all who entered!

I was recently contacted by JumpStart and asked to do a review of their interactive website. I am rather particular about the few reviews that I do because I want to be sure it is a product I support and believe in. But, I was excited about this for a couple reason. First, my daughter recently because a ‘computer geek’ like her daddy and absolutely loves playing learning games on the computer. Second, her birthday is just around the corner and I thought this would give me a chance to sample before I buy.

JumpStart is a learning and adventure-based computer programs that allows children to explore, build, and discover an imaginative 3D world. The website is designed to allow each player to create everything to their own personal specifications, including characters, clothing, buildings, music, art, etc. There are different adventures for different age groups ranging from 3 years old to 5th grade! It has won numerous awards and easily allows a child to learn and explore at their own pace!

But, how do the kids feel?

I set my 4 year old daughter down at the computer and told her I had a new website and games for her to play. I logged in to my free account and set her up as a user. I turned the mouse over to her and that was it! She taught herself to play in a matter of moments thanks to the great verbal instructions and easy navigation. She created her own character, explored a great new world, colored pictures, played music, and two hours later she was still going strong! Her younger brother pulled a chair up next to her and together they played, talked, and explored together. It was the perfect activity for our rainy Saturday at home! They had a fantastic time and I knew they were engaged in something that was learning-based, safe, and fun for their ages!

The more I explored the website the more I discovered about what is available. Registration to the website is free and allows access to a few of the games available. But, having the membership gave me access to so much more. I found great tips for parents, discussion forums that allowed met to read what other parents are experiencing with the website and games, and fun activities that can be downloaded for even more adventuress. There was even a newsletter that offered great recipes, advice, and ideas for parents to use on a daily basis. I had just as much fun exploring the website as my kids did playing the games! JumpStart was kind enough to provide us with a three month membership to the website and I can see that we will certainly be putting it to good use.

I really like that my kids have a new activity that is safe and age appropriate. I feel comfortable as a parent knowing that the games and activities they are playing are geared toward their pace and that they learning through the entire process. Not only have they been wildly entertained on a rainy day, but I’ve found a great present that the whole family can enjoy!

And, JumpStart has been kind enough to offer one lucky reader a 3 month membership to the website!

To enter just leave a comment on this post! Tweet the contest and leave another comment and you’ll earn a second entry!! Trust me when I say that is a pretty cool prize and your kids will love it! Contest ends Tuesday (3/31) at noon. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced Tuesday afternoon! Good luck!

Filed Under: review

Mommy’s High Heel Shoes: A Review

November 15, 2008 by Neena 3 Comments

I love books. I have never made any bones about the fact that I am a book freak! I have this weird obsession with owning books and having them surround me at any given moment. I swear my decorating style is Early American paperback.

My children are the same way. We have shoved reading and books down their throats since each of them was a fetus. They love books and my son can read in the bathroom like seasoned old man!

That is partly why I was so excited for the chance to do a book review. Not only is this my first review here on MamaNeena, but it is also my chance to review a new children’s book. Books and kids – I’d say I’ve got that covered pretty well, wouldn’t you!?

The book is called Mommy’s High Heel Shoes by Kristie Finnan

She was gracious enough to send me an autographed copy and the kids and I all felt like we were opening a present when it arrived.

This is the story of a young girl named Cakes. Cakes uses the time her mommy is at work to try on the many shoes her mother has in her closet. It is during this playtime that she discovers the many different roles and jobs her mommy must have. I was immediately struck with the originality of the story. It was such a nice change to see a book that looked beyond the role of ‘mommy’ to show that women fill many shoes throughout their day and their lives. They work, garden, cook, socialize, and take care of their families all while still attempting to takes care of themselves.

It did a great job showing how a mother can do more for her family by taking a little time and doing something for herself. Wearing fancy shoes makes Cake’s mommy feel good and that helps her to be a better mother. I felt drawn to this particular idea because I think one of the first things mothers tend to do is put themselves on the back burner for the sake of their children. We often struggle with guilt when trying to do things for ourselves. But, this book makes a point to show that taking that time for ourselves is better for our children in the long run because it makes us better mothers.

The artwork for this book is bright, colorful, and full of little details that make it pop. It definitely had a traditional feel to it with the details within the pictures adding a modern twist. Think of it as 1950′s art meets ‘have it all’ mom of the new millennium. The book also includes hidden pictures on each page so that my children and I could find them together.

After I read the book I turned my children lose on it. My four year old daughter immediately pointed out all the things I do just like Cake’s mommy. She did ask me if the daddy in the book stayed home while the mommy worked. I told her I didn’t know, but she informed me that he probably did because somebody needed to take care of the kids. I suppose in her eyes all families have a parent that stays home. But, I was comforted in knowing that she didn’t find it even a little bit strange for the traditional roles to be reversed. My son was fascinated with searching for the hidden pictures. I guess that is expected considering his nickname used to be ‘Waldo.’

I can honestly say that this book was not only enjoyable for me to read, but also entertaining for my children. That, alone, is worth a pretty good review. The author was also kind enough to offer my readers a 10% discount when ordering the book. Just enter the code mama on the website when your purchase the book. Offer expires 12/31/08. This would make a great gift for any working mother and child for the upcoming holiday season.

Now I just need to see if I can fit another book on to the already overcrowded kid bookshelf. For this one I’m sure I can make room!