On the first day of Christmas, Bonggamom gives to thee...a Leapster Explorer Camera & Video Recorder

Merry Christmas, and welcome to Day 1 of my 12 Days of Christmas giveaway series! Today I'm giving away the best Christmas present ever to one lucky Bonggamom Finds reader: a Leapster Explorer Camera and Video Recorder from Leapfrog! We were sent one to review and we've been playing with it for about a week. Here's what we think of it:

The Basics
Here's some information about this latest cool accessory for the Leapster Explorer:
The Leapster Explorer Camera & Video Recorder snaps into the Leapster Explorer’s peripheral slot to expand the entertainment and learning possibilities. With the most built-in photo educational activities and LeapFrog’s largest, brightest full-color touch screen, the Leapster Explorer handheld with Camera & Video Recorder provides visual engagement in learning math and reading. Using the Leapster Explorer Camera & Video Recorder, kids can:

• Take, edit and store up to 1,000 pictures

• Stretch, stamp and draw on pictures to create personalized snapshots or use them in activities
• Play eight learning activities using their photos

• Create personalized cards to email to family and friends
• Show off photos and photo albums with voice captions and background music

• Select one of six songs and direct a music video


The Bongga
This is the best accessory ever! The kids are having so much fun taking and personalizing photos. They love editing their photos by drawing on them, adding borders and cartoon stamps:


You can also use the photos to create greeting cards for various holidays and occasions. For instance, here's the card that Jammy created to wish everyone on Bonggamom Finds a Merry Christmas:




You don't even need an occasion; some of the card templates have superheroes, cheerleaders and other themes for everyday fun. Here's one that The Pea created just to annoy her brothers. Actually, on closer inspection, that's just 3Po, duplicated using the Mirror Image tool that comes with the Explorer Camera. Or it could be Jammy. When you're an identical twin, it doesn't really matter!


You can even make music videos with the videos you record! Finally, when you connect the Explorer to your computer using the Leapfrog Connect app, you can upload your photos to your hard drive so you can share your child's photo and video masterpieces with family and friends.

Entertaining as all that may be, this accessory goes one step further. Just like all Leapfrog products, the Camera and Video Recorder also adds an educational component -- kids can actually use their photos to play some learning activities!


The Blah
The camera takes a long time to start -- right after you tap on the camera icon to launch it, the Explorer screen blacks out without warning, and stays that way for about 20 seconds -- so don't freak out and think you've destroyed your Leapster! Also, I wish I could figure out how to specify the location that the Explorer saves your photos to (it creates a "Leapfrog" folder on your Shared Documents drive) and how to specify image quality. But then again, it's not supposed to be a DSLR, it's supposed to be a fun toy for kids!


The Bottom Line
The Camera and Video Recorder accessory for the Leapster Explorer opens up a whole new world of fun for your child!


Required entry:
Leave a comment on this post and tell me what your child would do with the Leapster Explorer Camera & Video Recorder. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.


Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment on this post for each extra entry, with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, blog comment link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1) Grab my 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways button and post it up on your blog (1 entry).

2) Write this on the Leapfrog Facebook Fan Page (1 entry):


I entered to win the new Leapster Explorer Camera & Video Recorder on Bonggamom Finds! You can enter too at http://tinyurl.com/279natk

2) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook wall (1 entry):

I entered Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways on Bonggamom Finds! One lucky winner will receive a Leapster Explorer Camera! http://www.bonggamom.com

3) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry).

4) Tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet):

Day 1 of 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways on @bonggafinds: enter to win a Leapster Explorer camera fr @leapfrog! http://www.bonggamom.com #giveaway

5) Join any of my other 12 Days of Christmas giveaways (leave a comment with the name of the giveaway you joined, 1 entry per giveaway you've joined).

This giveaway ends at midnight PST on January 6, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on January 7 and post the winner's name as soon as the winner confirms acceptance. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!


197 comments:

  1. My amazing nephew would become even smarter learning about photography and video. His older brother is really into it, and they could learn together.

    Thanks for the GREAT giveaway!

    annc999 AT yahoo DOT com

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  2. this would be great for my cousin. he'd probably take pictures of his parents and the horses

    lauren51990 at aol dot com

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  3. i follow via gfc

    lauren51990 at aol dot com

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  4. My kids would take pics of everything

    ctymice@gmail.com

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  5. Wrote message on Bonggamom Facebook pg (Lori Thomas)

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  6. Tweeted giveaway 12/25 (http://twitter.com/crftyldy)

    ctymice@gmail.com

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  7. My granddaughter could create personalized thank you cards to thank everyone who so kindly gave her Christmas gifts.

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  8. I wrote this on Leapfrogs fb wall -
    I entered to win the new Leapster Explorer Camera & Video Recorder on Bonggamom Finds! You can enter too at http://tinyurl.com/279natk

    ReplyDelete
  9. I posted on your fb page (I entered Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways on Bonggamom Finds! One lucky winner will receive a Leapster Explorer Camera! http://www.bonggamom.com)

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  10. I posted on your fb page (I entered Day 1 of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways on Bonggamom Finds! One lucky winner will receive a Leapster Explorer Camera! http://www.bonggamom.com)

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  11. Tweet. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/18893904359202816

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  12. My son likes to do different commercials and I think he will use it for it.
    natatheangel at yahoo dot com

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  13. My son will make pics of our cat.
    jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com

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  14. she would love to film herself dancing. as well as well as her new baby sister and her daddy sleeping. amypugmire@live.com

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  15. wrote on leapfrogs fb page. amy bolda pugmire. amypugmire@live.com

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  16. I follow u via gfc. amypugmire@live.com

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  17. tweeted. amypugmire@live.com
    http://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/18898173422469120

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  18. I can only imagine the silly plays they'd put on and faces they'd make with it. I imagine they'd pretend to be newscasters or race car announcers with the video camera. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  19. follow your blog
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  20. my daughter would try being like me.. her mommy the photographer.
    mommy2skie@yahoo.com

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  21. commented on your facebook page; misty vanepps

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  22. My kids would take pictures of the dogs and the cat. They have always wanted to take pics, I just am leary over letting them use my camera, they are a bit young for that. So this would be a great addition to our Leapster Explorer.

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  23. I follow on Twitter and tweeted (mnsteph). Had to trim it down by 5 characters.
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19078609138356224

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  24. My son would take pictures of everything.
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

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  25. I follow you on twitter and tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/19091601087266816
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

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  26. My son would take pictures of everything....including his new sibling!
    veniceangel@hotmail.com

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  27. My son would leave my camera alone and use his own.. LOL! He would love to have his own camera to take pictures.

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  28. I commented on the leap frog fb page under this post
    http://www.facebook.com/LeapFrog/posts/141240249264857

    I couldn't put it on the wall, there was not option.

    ReplyDelete
  29. wrote on your wall
    http://www.facebook.com/Fancygrlnancy/posts/489867053150

    ReplyDelete
  30. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19138995246075904

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  31. entered On the second Day of Christmas, Bonggamom gives to thee...a Playmobil Take-Along Pirates Dungeon

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  32. My kids would love this! They would especially love the music video feature. They love to perform!

    brandielam3 at gmail dot com

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  33. entered the Playmobil giveaway
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  34. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19382187140845568

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  35. I also entered Day 2 - Playmobil Mini Take Along Pirates Dungeon

    ReplyDelete
  36. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/19403575121674240
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. entered Day 2 for the Playmobil Mini Take Along Pirates Dungeon giveaway
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

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  38. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/19490132444844032

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  39. My daughter would be making videos of her cat and dog.
    pjames330 at aol dot com

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  40. FB fan of leapster
    pjames330 at aol dot com

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  41. my daughter would create personalized cards to email to her grandparents. How fun! thanks!

    molomatic at gmail dot com

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  42. My daughter would love to use this to make videos of the little dances she likes to invent!
    cbeargie at yahoo dot com

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  43. Wrote on your FB Wall (Colleen B P)

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  44. I'm a follower. (sunnymum)
    cbeargie at yahoo dot com

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  45. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/19560673260347392

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  46. I also entered the Playmobil giveaway. (Day 2)

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  47. I also entered the Cover Your Hair giveaway. (Day 3)

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  48. My son would love this and probably film his elaborate tracks he makes. He loves trains!!

    southcarolinamommy at gmail dot com

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  49. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/SCMOMOF2BOYS/status/19596751719628801

    ReplyDelete
  50. I entered Day 3, a box of surprise hair accessories from CoverYourHair.com

    akagamma@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Tweeted again today.
    http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/19752449531183104

    akagamma@yahoo.com

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  52. I follow on blogger

    akagamma@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/19774521007411201

    ReplyDelete
  54. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/19889887297671168
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Tweet! http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/19937765382688768
    cbeargie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Entered day 2 contest
    natatheangel at yahoo dot com

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  57. Entered day 3 contest
    natatheangel at yahoo dot com

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  58. Entered day 4
    natatheangel at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I entered Day 2 giveaway
    jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com

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  60. I entered day 3 giveaway
    jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  61. http://twitter.com/#!/SCMOMOF2BOYS/status/19971823449931777

    ReplyDelete
  62. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/20108946001895424

    ReplyDelete
  63. I entered the Playmobil giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  64. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/20133809097801729
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Tweet! http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/20137367239139328

    ReplyDelete
  66. I entered blazor robot dinosaur giveaway

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  67. I entered kymaro essentials underthings giveaway

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  68. My daughter would take pictures and video of her brother and sister and probably everyone and everything she sees.
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

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  69. tweet
    http://twitter.com/fce431/status/20342362093920256
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

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  70. entered Playmobil giveaway
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. My little boy would take pictures and videos of anything and everything on his path.

    treflea4 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I entered the Blazor Robot Dinosaur giveaway

    treflea4 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I entered the Playmobil giveaway

    treflea4 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I entered the Blazor robot dinosaur giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  75. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/20475982959874048

    ReplyDelete
  76. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/20485179474714624
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I also entered the Blazor Robot dinosaur contest.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Today's tweet. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/20485800584019968

    ReplyDelete
  79. daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/fce431/status/20571264624103424
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. entered day 5 - Blazor robot dinosaur
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/20610166999220224

    ReplyDelete
  82. Tweet! http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/20659927219445760

    ReplyDelete
  83. I also entered the Kymaro giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/20826083016310784

    ReplyDelete
  85. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/20855177879756801
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/fce431/status/20907928542253057
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/20919924058759168

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  88. My 10 year old has Asperger's and would totally love this, she would be making all kind of pictures of herself :)

    ReplyDelete
  89. I entered Beyblade Super Vortex Battle Set

    ReplyDelete
  90. I entered Day 6: Nerf N-Strike Deploy CS-6 blaster

    ReplyDelete
  91. I entered Day 7: Beyblade Super Vortex Battle Set

    ReplyDelete
  92. http://twitter.com/#!/SCMOMOF2BOYS/status/21083705321717761

    ReplyDelete
  93. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/21198979773497344

    ReplyDelete
  94. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/21246110450327552
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/21263599481655296

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  96. My daughter would video herself and her friends putting on puppet shows!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Today's tweet. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/21334541633327104

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  98. Tweet! http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/21374751318478848

    ReplyDelete
  99. I also entered the Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory giveaway.
    cbeargie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  100. daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/fce431/status/21421840408776704
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  101. http://twitter.com/#!/SCMOMOF2BOYS/status/21419035509919744

    ReplyDelete
  102. I entered Day 8: Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory!

    ReplyDelete
  103. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/21565780764139520

    ReplyDelete
  104. Today's tweet. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/21566313583349761

    ReplyDelete
  105. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/italiaangel80/status/21568407149215744
    italiaangel80@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. He'd make a video of his friends and his dog.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Entered day 5
    jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com

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  108. Entered day 6
    jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com

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  109. Entered day 7
    jdrombo AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  110. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/21793528686317568

    ReplyDelete
  111. http://twitter.com/#!/SCMOMOF2BOYS/status/21817912486526976

    ReplyDelete
  112. Daily Tweet
    http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/21919220765818880

    ReplyDelete
  113. Entered Day 9: Body Slimming prize pack from Kymaro

    ReplyDelete
  114. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/21929502145773568

    ReplyDelete
  115. Tweet! http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/21947622453415937

    ReplyDelete
  116. daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/fce431/status/22047599917793280
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  117. My daughter would greeting cards for her long distance grandparents!

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  118. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/22161067719270400

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  119. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/22295948344434688

    ReplyDelete
  120. I entered Day 10: Kymaro Curve Control Jeans

    ReplyDelete
  121. daily tweet
    http://twitter.com/fce431/status/22369680094138368
    felicia.431 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  122. Tweet! http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/22486017332219904

    ReplyDelete
  123. I also entered the Kymaro Body Slimming Prize pack giveaway. (day 9)

    ReplyDelete
  124. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  125. http://twitter.com/#!/SCMOMOF2BOYS/status/22505610163527680

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  126. My girl who is always pretending to have a camera because her big brothers have one would learn how to use a camera like them and take pictures of everything. wilcarvic
    [at]gmail[dot[com]]

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  127. entered day 2 wilcarvic
    [at]gmail[dot[com]]

    ReplyDelete
  128. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/22510082314997760

    ReplyDelete
  129. tweet entered day 11 Essential Underthings prize pack

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  130. Tweet! http://twitter.com/sunnymum/status/22686333147283456

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  131. I entered Day 11: Essential Underthings prize pack -- from Kymaro

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  132. I entered Day 4: Essential Underthings prize pack -- from Kymaro

    ReplyDelete
  133. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/22710668297764865

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  134. My daughter would be in heaven with this. She would take pictures and video of all of her siblings and us.
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  135. I wrote comment on Leapfrogs facebook page (Becky Horn)
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  136. I wrote comment on Bonggamom Finds facebook wall (Becky Horn)
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  137. I follow you on Blogger
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  138. I tweeted
    sweokgrl@gmail.com
    http://twitter.com/bdiane34/status/22789486588985345

    ReplyDelete
  139. I entered the Blazor robot dinosaur giveaway
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  140. I entered the Nerf N-Strike Deploy CS-6 blaster giveaway
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  141. I entered to win the Beyblade Super Vortex Battle Set giveaway
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  142. I entered to win the Playmobil Take-Along Pirates Dungeon
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  143. I entered to win the Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory giveaway
    sweokgrl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  144. my daughter would probably make crazy music videos with her sisters
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  145. posted on leapfrog fb wall
    http://www.facebook.com/LeapFrog/posts/141240249264857
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  146. posted on wall
    http://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/145302432190023
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  147. google follower
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  148. tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/22858933509029889
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  149. entered playmobil
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  150. entered my little pony
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  151. entered playmobile giveaway
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  152. entered cover your hai
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  153. entered kymaro #4
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  154. entered blazor
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  155. entered nerf n-strike
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  156. entered beyblade
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  157. entered play doh
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  158. entered kymaro #9
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  159. entered kymaro jeans #10
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  160. My son would love this...he would record everything from playing Wii to eating meals I am sure! Thanks for the chance, justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  161. entered kymaro #11
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  162. I am a blog follower
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  163. entered girly toys #12
    pjames330 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  164. Tweeted at http://twitter.com/justicecw/status/22867762418286592
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  165. Entered Babyblade giveaway
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  166. Entered Nerf n Strike giveaway
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  167. Entered the playmobil giveaway
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  168. Entered the cover your hair giveaway
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  169. Entered the Blazor robot dinosaur giveaway
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  170. Entered the play-doh giveaway
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  171. Entered my little pony/pet shop giveaway
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  172. tweet http://twitter.com/fancygrlnancy/status/22879127434432512

    ReplyDelete
  173. My twin nephews will document their lives in preschool with lots of pictures and videos with the Leapster Explorer camera and video recorder
    mandalarctic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  174. GFC follower
    mandalarctic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  175. Tweet: http://twitter.com/mandalarctic/status/22923058188652544
    mandalarctic at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  176. I entered Day 12: Littlest Pet Shop and My Little Pony

    ReplyDelete
  177. Tweet. http://twitter.com/#!/slmiresse/status/23014594175832064

    ReplyDelete
  178. 1/6 tweet at http://twitter.com/justicecw/status/23230483483594752
    justicecw@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  179. I also entered the Kymaro Curve Control Jeans giveaway. (Day 10)

    ReplyDelete
  180. I also entered the LPS and My LIttle Pony giveaway. (Day 12)

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  181. Congrats to the winner: #1, annc999!

    ReplyDelete