Just For Kids | 3 Boys And A Dog

Giveaway: Picture Collage Maker Pro Giveaway {$39.99 value – 20 winners}

April 24, 2012 By Erika 26 Comments

Picture Collage Maker Pro has to be one of the easiest digital scrapping softwares I’ve used in a long time. I normally like to do free form digital scrapbooking because it’s super fun for me but lately I’ve noticed that my pictures are still hiding in my computer and my time is super limited (more than normal). So I decided to use their templates and wizards instead of being completely creative about this and I was super impressed with the results:

They have TONS of templates to choose from and you can change the background, add pictures, add clip art (which I did with the flowers and clouds)…it was easy-peasy! Just select, click, drag and drop! My only initial complaint with the wizard was that I wasn’t able to add text to it BUT I finally figured it out…so my suggestion would be to make it easier to add text to the picture but it really wasn’t too hard to do that. If you can’t read the poem, it says:

“Children are like flowers,

Water them with love,

and they will bloom!”

Then I saved my picture collage and wanted to see if it would fit on the header of my new Facebook timeline as a cover foto and it was pretty close to being perfect (minus the flowers that didn’t show, but that’s okay)….it’s adorable anyway…so I was able to add my little poem when I posted it on Facebook instead, which made me happy. :)

Since I wanted to create more projects and noticed that it had a “download more templates” link, clicked it and a bunch of NEW choices were available on their website online…so I downloaded some for Mother’s Day! This time I played with the template lots more…it is super easy to change things too, this one had four photos originally but I only wanted two, so I deleted them and voila! I created for my mom for Mother’s Day!

Using the program was easy, quick and I can see me taking advantage of their templates and wizards to blow the dust off the pictures hiding in my computer and start sending updates for my mom and other family since we’ve moved to the North East. So what else can Picture Collage Maker do? In just minutes (literally) you can create more than just photo collages:

greeting cards
photo calendars
scrapbook pages
and other art work

All in all, it’s a great program to have if you have children and your time is limited but you want to create cute picture collages and look like you are a professional digital scrapbooker….shhh…no one needs to know you used the template and wizard! :) Download now for FREE! (15 day free trial)

Ready to order? You can do it online right now for only $39.99 (or if you want to go Pro with it, it’s a little more) by visiting Picrture Collage Maker’s website.

Want to win it?
Twenty (20) friends of 3 Boys and a Dog will receive (winners will receive the license code and download link), here’s what you need to do:

Required: Go to the Picture Collage Maker website and leave a comment with a project you’d like to do if you win.

Bonus #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

Bonus #2: Like Pearl Mountain on Facebook and 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post.

Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on May 8th

OPEN TO: USA Only

*DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this software for free from Pearl Mountain to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own and the gift received does not weigh in on my honest review of this product.*

Filed Under: Crafts and Hobbies, Giveaways, Just for Kids, Organizing, Parenting, Reviews Tagged With: blog software, cards, clip art, collage, collages, creative, cute pictures, digital scrapbooking, facebook, giveaway, Giveaways, maker, mother's day, online social networking, photobook, photomontage, photos, picture, picture collage, picture collages, scrapboo, scrapbooking, social information processing, software, value, web 2.0, winner

GIVEAWAY: Morphology Family Board Game ($30.00 value)

April 22, 2012 By Kelli

OMG Tripp and I had the most hilarious fun with this game. It says it is for teams, but we managed to bend the rules a bit so that we could play it together. My other two aren’t really old enough to play, so we didn’t have enough for teams. It works just fine and we love it! Seriously, you have to draw cards and then build the item on the card using only certain game pieces. No talking and no hand motions! It is like Charades on Steroids. Too much fun!

Can you guess what this item I made is? Tripp got it in about 2 seconds flat!

Buy Morphology Family Board Game:

One lucky 3 Boys and a Dog reader will win their own Morphology Family Board Game!

REQUIRED COMMENT: Tell me how many board games you own.

BONUS #1: Follow @morphologygames and @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

BONUS #2: Like Morphology Games and 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post.

Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on May 6th

OPEN TO: USA Only

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent items by Morphology Games to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

Filed Under: Gaming, PC, Wii, PS2, DS, Giveaways, Just for Kids, Parenting, Reviews Tagged With: board games, facebook, family board game, family fun night, game pieces, games, Giveaways, grammar, hilarious, monopoly, morphology, omg, tripp, value, world wide web

Giveaway: Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land DVD

April 9, 2012 By Tamera

My girls all LOVE Lalaloopsy, so a DVD? I had to check it out!

About Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land: the Search for Pillow (from the DVD case)

The Lalaloopsy girls discover the magic of friendship in a one-of-a-kind adventure! Peanut Big Top has a really BIG surprise to share with all of her Lalaloopsy friends, but Pillow Featherbed has gone missing. So the Lalaloopsy girls set out on an adventure, along with their pets, to find their friend. With lots of unexpected surprises and challenges, including an impending thunderstorm, the girls use their creativity and their speical talents, but nothing seems to work. Will they be able to find Pillow in time to see Peanut’s exciting surprise? After trying almost everything, the girls realize that working together may be the only way to find their lost friend. This magical adventure is full of fun and friendship and it’s just sew cute!

Includes Special Features:

5 Bonus Lalaloopsy Mini Adventures

-Jewel Sparles’ Un-Birthday Party

-Mittens Fluff ‘N’ Stuff Wants a Snow Day

-Peanut Big Top Learns to Ride the Unicycle

-Pillow Featherbed Up All Night

-Bea and the Pet Talent Show

Plus a Sing-along Song!

My Thoughts

My kids all LOVED this DVD! They loved the movie and the extra episodes! I think these are super cute and I love what they teach! So far they have watched them at least a few times! I love DVDs that can be watched over and over! And they kept asking to watch it over and over and over. My daughter loves her little Lalaloopsy doll, so she was thrilled to watch the movie and she made sure to tell me ALL about it! I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Buy it!

You can buy it at major retailors and on Amazon here.

Win it!

One lucky 3 Boys and a Dog reader will win their very own Adventures in Lalaloopsy Land DVD!

REQUIRED COMMENT: Visit the Lionsgate website, look around then come back and tell me a movie you would like to see from them.

BONUS #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY

BONUS #2: Like 3 Boys and a Dog on FaceBook then share this post by clicking the FaceBook share button at the bottom of this post.

Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)
#2. Sign up for my NEW Weekly Newsletter.
#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
#4. Put my button on your blog.
#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.
#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on April 22nd

OPEN TO: USA

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent the DVD by Lionsgate to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

Filed Under: Giveaways, Just for Kids, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews, Teachable Moments Tagged With: adventure, adventures, Bea, dvd, friendship, girl, Giveaways, Jewel Sparles, Lalaloopsy, Lionsgate, lost friends, Mittens Fluff 'N' Stuff, Movie, music, music groups, Peanut Big Top, Peanuts, Pillow Featherbed, pillow featherbeds, pillows, s.e.s., spice girls, surprise

Review: Doodle Roll

March 31, 2012 By Tamera Leave a Comment

What a great idea! Paper and crayons together in an easy to carry container that can go anywhere!

About Doodle Roll

The Doodle Roll® is the most versatile & portable arts & crafts activity kit! This all-in-one kit contains a roll of paper and crayons in a compact package, perfect for creative fun on the go anytime, anywhere! The Doodle Roll® is available in two sizes with a safe ez tear edge.

About the Coopers

Marc Cooper Founder/Chief Doodle Officer Imagination Brands Co., LLC founder and Doodle Roll inventor Marc Cooper started his career in the recycling business for a division of The Newark Group. He honed his skills as a successful paper broker and established The Fiber Resource Group, Inc., a small brokerage firm buying and selling many types of paper both in North America and overseas. The company is successfully celebrating its 15th year in business in 2011. Marc has become known within the paper industry as a successful, entrepreneurial, creative and knowledgeable professional.
Marc and his wife Diana are the proud parents of three children ages 11-15. An avid skier, he’s seen “heaven” from the tops of the Chugach Mountains in Valdez Alaska; Marc longs to return to the snow covered glaciers and hundreds of miles of untracked snow. But for now he’s happy to help kids let their imaginations run wild with Doodle Roll!

Diana Cooper Director of Creativity

Diana has had a lifelong passion for art and other creative activities. She originally studied architecture and landscape design but then changed her focus after graduating from New England School of Art and Design. Diana helped co-found Freehand Designs and used her artistic talents as a decorative painter, creating beautiful scenes and stylish faux finishes on walls in homes and restaurants. She has also used her tasteful skills to provide interior design consulting for clients in the Boston area. Diana has been an active member of her community, participating on many boards and organizations. Diana is the wife of Imagination Brands Co., LLC founder and Doodle Roll inventor Marc and proud mother of three wonderful children.

My Thoughts

I think this is great for an on-the-go coloring solution, for a boredom buster or for a party or craft activity! I was able to get four of my kids coloring at the same time (I couldn’t do all five, because there are only four crayons). They liked the size (the 6″ version and the 3″ version), but I hope they come out with an 8 or 10 inch version! That way my kids could color from different sides! A great idea, and we all love it! You can vote to Get Them On the Shelf here.

Buy it!

You can buy it here.

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent items by Doodle Roll to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*

Filed Under: 3 Boys & A Dog General Posts, Crafts & Games, Crafts and Hobbies, Just for Kids, Living and Lifestyles, Parenting and Family, Review and Giveaways, Reviews Tagged With: Crayons, creativity, Diana Cooper, Doodle Roll, EZ Tear, Marc Cooper, paper

GIVEAWAY: Funrise Gazillion Bubble Cannon

March 29, 2012 By Tabitha

With summer fast approaching I am madly thinking of how I am going to keep my three oldest children busy and keep myself from going crazy. Boredom sets in quickly around here and if I don’t have lots of fun toys and activities planned for my kids they start to fight (well they fight even more ). With the unseasonably warm temperatures in my neck of the woods lately the Gazillion Bubble Cannon by Funrise came at the perfect time! It arrived the day before our March Break started and boy was I thankful! I already had some activities planned but I knew it wouldn’t be enough to keep them from getting bored.

We had travelled up to my in-laws for the week so my two oldest could attend a VBS (Vacation Bible School) at the Pentecostal church in town but that left my 2 year old to be entertained for the 3 hours each day the other kids would be gone. So that’s when we broke out the bubble machine.

Set up was a breeze, so it wasn’t long after getting it out of the package that we were able to start playing. Included in the package was the machine itself, a dip tray, 2 wands, one for small bubbles and one for big bubbles and a bottle of big(blue) and small(green) bubble solution. It requires 6 AA batteries that are not included. We played with it pretty much every morning for about an hour and the batteries are still going strong.

This is a crazy fun bubble blowing machine! Even I had a lot of fun watching the bubbles. I think my favorite (and the kids) was the attachment for the big bubbles. The bubbles were huge and it captured little bubbles in the centre. Very neat indeed! And the bubbles last for a very long time, much longer then your usual bubbles (at least in my experience). The small bubble attachment produced so many bubbles which dip I began to wonder if it was ever going to stop! I was also very impressed with the color of the bubbles as light hit each one, I’ve never seen bubbles so colorful. The only downside I saw was that I didn’t have the foresight to buy an extra bottle of bubble solution because we went through the entire bottle after only a few uses and sadly I wasn’t near a store that sold the right bubble solution!

Here are some pictures of my little guy having fun with it:

Small bubble fun.

Big bubble fun!

My turn Mom

100's of small bubbles!

Gazillion is also running The Ultimate Gazillion Bubbles Photo Contest! Beginning February 20 to July 20, 2012, every photo submitted and accepted into their contest will be eligible for a chance to win one of four monthly prizes of a $250 Toys R’ Us gift cards and One Grand Prize winner will receive a $1,000 Toys R’ Us gift card! So get snapping those photos of your kids having fun with their Gazillion Bubbles!

Win it!

And to get you ready for the warmer temperatures, one of our lucky readers is going to win a Gazillion Bubble Cannon! If you don’t win here, don’t despair you can head on down to your local Wal-Mart or Toys ‘R Us store and pick one up, I suggest you do it, it’s hours of fun for your kids!

REQUIRED COMMENT: Go to their website and come back here and tell me about another product or toy that you like.

BONUS #1: Follow @momof3boys3702 , @Funrise_Toys and @GazillionBubble on Twitter and RT this contest. The easiest way to retweet is to simply click the green ReTweet on the top right of this post. YOU MAY TWEET ONCE DAILY!

BONUS #2: Like 3 Boys and a Dog and Funrise Toys on Facebook, then share this post by clicking the Facebook share button at the bottom of this post. (You really want to follow them on Facebook, because they let you know when there are sales!)

Other bonus entries:

#1. Spread the word about this review by: email, forums, blogging, Digg, or putting the link in a meme. (one entry per thing done)

#2. Follow my blog.

#3. Subscribe to my RSS feed.

#4. Put my button on your blog.

#5. Leave a comment on any other post (excluding giveaways!) Be sure to leave a comment here saying which post.

#6 – Vote for me at Picket Fence by clicking the button on my sidebar. Be sure to leave a comment saying you did! YOU MAY VOTE ONCE DAILY!

CONTEST ENDS: at Midnight CST on April 12th, 2012

OPEN TO: US and Canada(Excluding Quebec)

*DISCLAIMER: I was sent the Gazillion Bubble Cannon by Funrise to help facilitate my review. Any opinions stated are strictly my own.*