Back To School 2010 – Pentel

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Pentel has been producing writing instruments for almost 50 years. They know their stuff!  Every Pentel automatic pencil, lead, eraser, nonrefillable roller ball pen, refillable ball point pen and correction fluid is manufactured by their own factories. Every student needs to begin school with a writing implement, so I have highlighted a few of my favorite Pentel products! The R.S.V.P RT Color retractable ball point pens are perfect for the Junior High and High School set. Their fun … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Time Buddy

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I know most parents would agree that after the long lazy summer it can be hard to get our kids back into the normal routine. I know in my house every little thing turns into a fight or hassle, from bed time to getting showered and dressed. As I have mentioned before, my son Ethan has PDD-NOS, which is on the Autism spectrum. Schedules are extremely important for keeping my son, (who hates change and has trouble with transitions) calm and in control of his day. Now the Time Buddy is really … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Seventh Generation Back to School Prize Pack Giveaway ends 9/6

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I really enjoy Seventh Generations products. I like how they don't smell like chemicals and instead smell like all natural herbs. I recently reviewed Seventh Generation products. You can read my thoughts here: http://musingmainiac.com/2010/06/seventh-generation-review-and-giveaway.html Kids are going back to school, which means they are going to be exposed to all sorts of new things including germs. This school year, Seventh Generation is sharing tips from best-selling author and … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Motorola Bluetooth headset, H17txt Review

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Now this product is for all of the soccer moms, dads on the go...pretty much any busy parent.  Now traditionally we parents don't buy ourselves back to school items, however with the  kids horrendously busy schedules, we need something that will help us multitask a little better. The Motorola Bluetooth headset, H17txt reads your texts to you over Bluetooth and lets you customize automated responses.  Here are some additional features: Product Features Compatible with most … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Colgate Kids

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A less obvious item that should be in kids back packs this year are toothpaste and toothbrushes. Proper oral hygiene should not stop just because the kids are at school! Colgate has a large variety of oral care products that would delight any child. They have Dora the Explorer and  Spongebob toothbrushes and toothpaste in kid friendly flavors such as Bubble Fruit and Watermelon. For the older kids they have the Pop Stars toothpaste which has a Mild Mint flavor with Star Breath … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – TI-NSPIRE Giveaway Ends 9/1

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Most kiddos starting in middle school now need a fancy graphing calculator for their math classes. These things are completely foreign to me because I stunk at math. In fact I failed math twice in high school and only got as high as Algebra. The TI - Nspire is a fantastic calculator that should  full fill your child's math needs. Here is some information about the Texas Instruments TI - Nspire: Includes a huge 20 MB of internal memory. "Multiple representations" offer 4 different … [Read more...]

Back to School 2010 – Crocs Review and Giveaway – Ends 9/1

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We love Crocs here at Musing Mainiac. Yes they may look kinda funky, but these happen to be some of the most comfortable shoes ever to grace our feet. I was extremely excited to learn that for the Back To School season Crocs had released a sneaker! Now how cool is that! They also have another  new shoe called the Crocband Gust Shoe, which they sent me a pair to review! These shoes are perfect for the playground. They have no air holes, so kids tootsies will stay dry. I got … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – KleenSlate Review

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KleenSlate is a cool new, interactive product for teachers to use to get kids to answer questions and to eliminate a lot of  paper waste. The idea is, the teacher asks the class a question, like what is 2 + 2?  The kids in the class will then write down the answer on the KleenSlate paddle and then raise the paddle in the air. The teacher can then quickly assess who has the right answer. The KleenSlates can then be quickly erased and then used over and over again! No more wasted … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Girls Can’t What? Review and Giveaway – ends 8/31

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My niece Rebecca is AWESOME!!! She is only 10, but way more wise and mature beyond her years. She is an amazing athlete. She plays soccer, she's on the all star basketball team and she is a member of the Woodside One Wheelers, which are a preforming Circus arts group. She juggles and rides a unicycle! Now there are certain members of my extended family that insist that either girls sports are a waste of time or are a joke. I think they should shove it honestly, because girls can do whatever … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Frecklebox Personalized Lunch Boxes

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When I was in school I loved lunch time...ah heck who am I kidding? I still love lunch time! Anyway a lot of kiddos bring a lunch from home, so they of course will need a lunch box! Frecklebox has tons of really cute metal lunch boxes that you can personalize to you or your child's taste. Now I know that Katie is a few years away from needing a lunch box but her brothers already have one. I figured she could put her little treasures in the box for now. I  had a really hard time deciding … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Expo Washable Dry Erase Markers

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Instead of traditional chalk boards, a lot of classrooms have gone to a white board. Teachers are also putting dry erase markers on kids back to school lists. Gone are the days of coming home covered in chalk because you had board work or because you made the teacher mad and they made you clap erasers! Expo, who are pretty well known for their dry erase boards and markers have now come out with a new Washable Dry Erase Marker. Here is some information about the washable markers: EXPO … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Disney Pook-A-Looz Journals and School Supply Kit in Toy Story Review and Giveaway ends 8/31

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We are huge Disney fans here at Musing Mainiac. I am absolutely thrilled to include them in the Back to School Guide! They have some really cool products in a variety of your favorite characters. Pook - A - Looz JournalThe Pook - A - Looz  Journals are just adorable, perfect for taking notes or actually using it as a diary!  I adore the Eeyore one pictured, It is so cute!  Disney Pook-a-Looz Journals SRP: $6.99 Retailer: Toys"R"Us, Mass Retailers, Specialty Stores Available: … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – EcoUsable Review

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Boy times sure have changed since I was a kid going to school. I was lucky if the teacher let me get up and take a sip of water from the water fountain, now a days teachers encourage kids to bring water bottles to school with them. Now that my family are trying  to become more green, I have decided to send my kids to school with reusable bottles instead of those tiny disposable ones. EcoUsable make fun and functionable water bottles of all shapes and sizes. I think the 10 oz stainless … [Read more...]

Back to School 2010 – Peeled Snacks Review and Giveaway – ends 8/25

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I know when my kids get home from school they are starving!  I try to keep healthy snacks on hand, but it can be kind of difficult to get them to eat them. Peeled Snacks dried fruits and nuts are great because they come in single sized portions and are 100% natural, with no added sugar or oils. Best of all in my opinion, is that there is NO high fructose corn syrup! Katie absolutely went bananas over well, the dried bananas. She only let me taste one of them and that was under protest. … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Zooni

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With cooler weather soon to be upon us, the kiddos are going to need clothing and accessories to keep them warm! Zooni sells fun and fashionable hats, mittens and socks. With a variety of designs, these are sure to be a hit in the preschool and kindergarten set. Zooni sent me one of their Pretty in Pink Mop Top Hats to review.  The hat is so soft and fluffy and very well made. Katie will be wearing it for a few years to come! Here is what Zooni has to say about their Mop Top … [Read more...]

Back To School 2010 – Studio C from Carolina Pad Review and Giveaway – Ends 8/29

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You certainly can't go back to Junior or High school without  paper, folders and binders. Carolina Pad has some wonderful designs that are sophisticated and pretty, perfect for someone who wants to add a little pizazz to their backpack! Carolina Pad sent me an assortment of products from their Studio C  line including:  A 2 pocket folder in the Techno pattern. The folder is very sturdy and colorful! A Ideal Book in the Zensational pattern. This book is pretty cool, with 3 divided … [Read more...]