Baby Everywhere: A Book and a Bag Review and Giveaway

A Caring Gift

Baby Safety

You could call me “Antique Roadshow.” As a grandmom, I often still find myself carrying around a diaper bag for Slugger, who’s going on two.  A diaper bag is one of those essentials most grandmoms or moms would be lost without.

I received A Book and A Bag from Baby-Everywhere to try out.
When you want to take an excursion out of your home with a small baby, there’s no telling what you might need. A good diaper bag can hold everything you might need including baby wipes, diapers, diaper ointment, baby powder, clothing, bottles, food, just about anything else you might possibly need while out and about with your baby.

A Book and a Bag is a wide tote that can be used by moms, grandmoms, nanny, daycare providers or babysitters.  Also an organizer, there’s a place for keys, cell phones, wallet as well as baby’s necessities. It includes a Safe Baby Organizer – a 50-page loose-leaf book (4″x7″), containing expert advice on how to prevent injuries and handle an emergency, should one occur, which fits into an outside pocket – available in English or Spanish. Colored tabs divide the sections.

Since the most important item in a diaper bag is diapers, A Book and A Bag also contains a changing pad! In fact, anything that you need to use on a daily basis can go into this tote.   Since all the “stuff” in your diaper bag can make it really heavy so if you’re going to have to be carrying it for a long distance, it has two sturdy handles that you can easily put over your shoulder.

This tote comes in either marine blue, or fire engine red – colors that even dad or grandpa wouldn’t mind carrying around!

• Recommended by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine

• iParentingMediaAward.com voted the Safe Baby Tote one of the most outstanding safety products of the year

At Baby-Everywhere, you can find diaper bags and grandmother bags that vary from basic, to trendy …

… beautiful, affordably-priced products that can be used anywhere the baby is – at home, in a car, with the babysitter and at grandma’s home.

Baby-Everywhere is offering readers of Moomette’s Magnificents a $5.00 discount promo code at checkout on these bags.

Use Code: 2442

For More Information Visit: Baby Everywhere

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the Baby-Everywhere Information Station. Designed to hang on the refrigerator door, a babysitter has everything –phone numbers, reminders — all in one place, and doesn’t have to run through the house looking for little pieces of paper left by the baby’s mother! Parent Tested and Parent Approved recently voted the Information Station a winning product.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Baby-Everywhere and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until March 22, 2010 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

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Children’s Activities – Arts and Crafts Family Fun

Snow Day Fun

I was babysitting my granddaughter last night while her parents were at a Super Bowl party and was trying to come up with some ideas to keep her entertained.

In my family room I still have a cabinet filled with arts and crafts supplies that my girls used for school projects.

It’s only February, but there’ll still be plenty of snow days off from school before spring finally arrives.

What are some fun ways to spend time together when the weather outside is dreary? There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to spend time with your kids. Reading a story to your young child is a wonderful experience. Listening to music and dancing together is also fun. Another fun activity is building forts with blankets and moving furniture together. Then bring in a flashlight and read a book to your child.

Play dough is also a nice creative way to spend time together. Roll it, mold it and create great works of art. It’s safe and can be used over and over again. You can make your own play dough and make different colors.

Here’s a nifty play dough recipe that I’ve used many times with my own kids.

• 4 cups flour

• 1 cup salt

• 4 cups water

• 4 tablespoons oil

• 1/2 cup cream of tartar

• food coloring (use this to create the colors of your choice)

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

Shaving cream art is also fun and easy. Using a vinyl table cloth or plastic place mats just spray some shaving cream on and let them use like finger paint. I would recommend using the sensitive skin brand of shaving cream.

Another great favorite is collages. You’ll need a few craft supplies such as construction paper, some magazines, Elmer’s glue and safety scissors. You can find deals on craft materials at Create for Less.  Have the kids cut out pictures of interest to them and glue them all over the construction paper. Once their project dries hang it proudly on your fridge!

These fun projects are also great for homeschooling moms or daycare moms!

Turn a snow day into a fun and exciting day with your child or grandchild if you’re babysitting while their parents are at work!
photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

Guide to Walt Disney World With Preschoolers: Review and Giveaway

Disney Tips for Traveling With Preschoolers

Plan a Magical Vacation That is Perfect For Your Family

I’ve had the opportunity to review a new book that takes all the guesswork out of planning for a trip to Walt Disney World with preschoolers in tow.

My oldest daughter fondly remembers our family vacation to Disney World when she was younger.  I saved for almost a year, and paid for the entire vacation in cash.

The girls were 7 and 11 at the time, in 1994.  We went towards the end of August when the rates were somewhat less expensive, and stayed directly on the grounds in Florida at the Polynesian Resort.  I don’t mind the heat since I live in New England.  Actually I thrive in it!

Now that my daughter has two toddlers of her own, she’s been making “noises” about wanting to revisit Disney with their kids, who are 1 and 3.   Both my daughter and charming son-in-law are extremely close to both sets of parents.  They’d really like that the grandparents can all join in together for a memorable family trip.

As a parent, you already know that you don’t want to have to carry your preschooler around in your arms all  day. You couldn’t possibly make it through the day!  You also can’t expect your child to walk all day long.

Beyond the Attractions:  A guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers by Lisa M. Battista (BookSurge) is a definite must-read book.

Lisa Battista answers common and not-so-common questions in Beyond the Attractions such as advance reservations; the best time to visit; sleeping away from home and more that will assure that your family vacation is enjoyable and stress free:

Strollers – Strollers are not only welcome at Disney World, they’re highly recommended. In fact, Disney World rents strollers for a reasonable fee.  My suggestion would be to tie something on the stroller, such as a brightly colored ribbon to help identify it from all of the other strollers in the park.

FastPass – You don’t want to spend your entire Disney World vacation standing in long lines. This can be avoided by using Disney World FastPass. FastPass can be obtained from kiosks located near the rides that accept FastPass. This doesn’t mean that you get to immediately move to the front of the line. It’s more like scheduling an appointment for the ride later in the day – at which time you actually will move to the front of the line. In the meantime, you’re free to go enjoy other sites and rides around the park.

Many other tips to help you maximize your hard-earned vacation dollars are included in this reference guide for parents, by a parent.

Start planning your next vacation!

On Twitter: @DisneyExplorer
Pages: 169
ISBN: 978-1-4392-5757-9

For More Information Visit: Beyond The Attractions

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the book, Beyond the Attractions:  A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Tell me why you’d like to win this book.

This contest will run until February 28, 2010 at  11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Melissa and Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set Giveaway

Inspirational Toys for the Kids

Wooden Toy Set

For the grandkids’ birthdays this past summer my husband and I bought a Little Tikes outside playhouse which included a kitchen and attached picnic table.  My son-in-law set it up in their backyard, and both kids, ages 1 and 3 enjoyed it well into the fall.

My granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette, really enjoys following in her mom & dad’s footsteps by pretending to play “kitchen.”

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to let you know about a new wooden play food set manufactured by Melissa & Doug, from Gumpy Lump.

The Slice and Bake Cookies set is both educational and inspirational as it inspires pretend play and introduces children to the world of baking and might encourage them to be the next Pillsbury Dough Boy or Betty Crocker!

Inside the wooden set are:

• 12 cookies and 18 colorful toppings
• spatula
• knife
• cookie sheet
• kitchen mitt

Even when choosing make-believe toys for my own girls, I always looked for items that would stimulate their own imaginations.   “Baking Instructions” are included, but they’re not intended to be used with real food.

What I like about Melissa & Doug toys is that they use non-toxic coatings and meet or exceed all U.S. toy testing standards.

If you’re looking for a gift for the kids, grandkids, homeschool or run a daycare, put this activity toy on your list!

Product Number: 4074
Manufacturer: Melissa & Doug
Size Box: 11.5″ x 9″ x 3″
Recommended Ages: 3 years and up

Follow on Twitter: @GummyLump

For More Information Visit: Gummy Lump

Moomette’s Magnificents is hosting a Giveaway Contest!* For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a wooden play food Melissa & Doug Slice and Bake Cookie Set.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

*USA only

Main Rule: (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Gummy Lump and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until February 25, 2010 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Go Waggaloo Children’s CD – Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family – Review and Giveaway

Smithsonian Folkways

Traditional Folk with Subtle Uses of Modern Technology

Both my husband and I are Baby Boomers.  Occasionally our taste in music differs, but for the most part, we enjoy the same type of music.  We grew up with folk music, rock n’ roll, and hard rock.

As young parents, we tried to expose our girls to various musical genres.  On car rides we would often play CD’s from Arlo Guthrie, including Allison’s Restaurant.

Recently I had the opportunity to become familiar with a new children’s music release from Smithsonian Folkways, Go Waggaloo, from Sarah Lee Guthrie &  Family.

The album features Sarah Lee Guthrie, her husband Johnny Irion, their two daughters, and a host of other family and friends including her father Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Pete’s grandson Tao Rodriguez Seeger.

When our girls were younger, one Friday after Thanksgiving we took them to Stockbridge, Massachusetts for the day, and looked for the infamous “Alices Restaurant.” They still talk about that trip to Stockbridge!

Go Waggaloo continues the Guthrie song-making tradition forged by Sarah’s grandfather, Woody Guthrie.

The album includes three previously unrecorded songs written by Woody Guthrie and set to music for the first time by Sarah Lee Guthrie.  The album mixes traditional folk with subtle uses of modern technology, including drum machines, loops, and cell phone recordings.

When we played the CD for ‘Lil Moomette, who’s 3, and for Slugger, now 1, their favorite song was Don’t I fit in My Daddy’s Shoes?

Other tunes of the CD include:

• Go Waggaloo

• Take Me to Show-and-Tell

• Bright Clear Day

• ‘Cuz We’re Cousins

• Big Moon

• Fox and the Goose

• If Mama Had Four Hands

• Big Square Walkin’

• She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain

• Brush Your Teeth Blue #57

• Oni’s Ponies

Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. Our mission is the commitment to cultural diversity, education, increased understanding, and lively engagement with the world of sound. Smithsonian Folkways is the most trusted brand in children’s music; Folkways has been the label of more than 200 children’s recordings including music by Ella Jenkins, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Lead Belly among others.

This is an enjoyable CD for family car trips, daycare providers, or home schooling!

For More Information and Special Offers Visit: Smithsonian Folkways

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of the Go Waggaloo Children’s CD.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Smithsonian Folkways and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until November 9, 2009 at 11:00 pm. EST

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Joy Berry Books: Classics For Children – Review and Giveaway

Let’s Talk About

Joy Berry:  Pioneering Educator, Author and Child Development Expert

My granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette is a frequent visitor here after daycare.  I often babysit for her at night when here parents have social commitments.

I like to keep her routine the same as when she’s home, so if I have to put her to bed, we’ll ready a story book together.

Recently I received a wonderful set of books to review from the childrens book author, Joy Berry.

As a teacher, mother, stepmother, adoptive parent and grandparent, Joy Berry understands the struggles children and parents face. You may not be familiar with the writings Joy Berry, however you may be familiar with her classic books.  She also shares her knowledge on her blog.

For over 30 years, these books have been helping parents and children deal with childhood issues. Joy Berry has sold over 85 million books and influenced generations of children.

Joy Berry Classics are broken down into six  series, starting with Teach Me About for toddlers and going up to Winning Skills for tweens.

• Teach Me About, for Ages 1-3

• Let’s Talk About, for Ages 4-5

• Help Me Be Good, for Ages 5-7

• A Fun and Easy Way, for Ages 7-10

• Winning Skills, for Ages 11-12

• Good Answers to Tough Questions, for Ages 6-12

One evening we read the book “Help Me Be Good About Being Rude” from the series “Let’s Talk About.” ‘Lil Moomette who’s turning 3 in October, attends daycare with another little girl her age.  Having had two girls of my own, girls will of course be girls, and Moomette has had her share of experience in “time out.”

I was really impressed with the examples that were giving in this book, and Moomette definitely understood as we read the book together that being rude … is not a good thing.

Now when I pick her up from daycare, I’ll ask her if she was rude to anybody that day.  She understands and will tell me either yes, or no. Joy Berry’s books empower children to help them learn for themselves.

The books are of a high-quality weight paper stock, and each comes accompanied by an entertaining CD.

The author states:

“Children need to be taught from the beginning of their lives that the more responsibility a person assumes for his or her life, the more control he or she will have over his or her life. In order for children to acquire the control they so desperately want and need, they need to learn the information and skills that will allow them to become more responsible.”

This is a well written and beautifully illustrated series for any parent, grandparent or daycare provider to have on hand.  The wonderful thing about these materials is that they really work.

For More Information Visit: Joy Berry Books

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a set of Joy Berry Books from the “Help Me Be Good” series.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit Joy Berry Books and leave a comment about what you like best about their site and another product you’d like to try.

This contest will run until October 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Boston Medical Center’s Halloween Town 2009 Family Event and Giveaway

Family Fun

New England Halloween Happenings

Fall in New England is a special time of year.  Although I live in Connecticut, the states are so close that we can easily visit many wonderful events, and it’s an easy gas-tank away to  make it a day-trip for the family.

Over the years, we’ve visited the wonderful historical town of Salem, Massachusetts during it’s 300th Anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials,  during October, which was tremendously educational and entertaining.

I’d like to let you know about a family event that’s both enjoyable and taking place for a good cause.  Take the kids and invite the grandparents (yay!).

Mark your calendars!

The Boston Medical Center’s Halloween Town will be taking place this year on October 24 – 25 at the Seaport World Trade Center. The special guest is Dan Zanes.

While Dan Zanes takes the main stage, the rest of the Seaport World Trade Center will be transformed into a 70,000 square-foot haunted town for toddlers to 12 year olds.

Interactive games and kid friendly activities include:

• Interact with a “real” ghost

• Meet & Greets with favorite characters from movies, books and cartoons

• LazerTag

• Children can also listen to their favorite tales in the MonsterPiece   Theater

• iParty Birthday Lab

• Pepsi Monster Midway

• Haunted Mine

• Farmers Market

• The Swamp

All zones are “scare rated” providing fun for all ages.  Halloween Town is also packed with great entertainment including jugglers, dancers, and fabulous musicians. With over 15,000 guests last year and more than 120,000 pieces of candy given away it is sure to become this year’s highlight for all ages from toddlers to ‘tweens.

For More Information Visit: HalloweenTownBoston

Moomette’s Magnificents  is hosting a Giveaway Contest! For a chance to win, there will be one (1) winner of a 4-pack of Tickets to the event.

Please include a way of contacting you. Should you be the contest winner, this information may be shared with the contest sponsor in order to send your prize.

Main Rule:   (remember if this rule is not followed then no others will count)
a) Sign up for my free Newsletter Updates to my blog through my e-mail Feedblitz link (on the top of my right column or let me know if you already are, in a separate comment) AND

b) Visit HalloweenTown and leave a comment about another fact not mentioned in this post and why you’d like to attend.

This contest will run until October 16, 2009 at 11:00 pm.

For Additional Entries, check out my Contest Entry Rules.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

Stay Within The Family Budget With Startrite Shoes

Holiday Shopping

One reason that family budgets often fail is because they’re just not realistic. It’s great to cut down on expenses, but sometimes we tend to go too far. For example, cutting entertainment out of the budget completely might look good on paper, but we all need a little diversion every now and then.

Instead of cutting such things out of the budget completely, consider finding ways to lower the cost. Going back to the entertainment example, maybe you’ve been going to dinner and a movie as a family twice a month. But eating in and renting a new release would be much cheaper, and you would still get to spend quality time together.

Individual expenses can also be tricky. This can be resolved by allocating a certain amount for each family member to spend each week. If someone spends his entire amount before the week is up, reevaluate his expenses and adjust if necessary

Clothing expenses are a big portion of a family budget. It’s amazing how quickly kids grow.  Keeping your children in shoes that fit can quickly deplete the family budget.  Now that the holidays are coming, the family will be needing some dress shoes to go with the holiday family portraits.

Fortunately, Startrite Shoes offers affordable, quality kids shoes.  Along with a wide selection, Startrite offers some really neat articles about what to look for in first shoes, walking, along with videos on how to measure a child’s foot for a proper fit.

Creating a family budget can help keep spending under control, leaving more money to pay down debts and save for future goals. But in order to succeed, close monitoring is essential. Your efforts will be rewarded, however, with less financial stress and more money in the long run.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

On Sale at Walmart: Parent’s Choice Infant Formula

2 Cans for $10

Store Brands Save Parents Money

I became a young mom in the early 1980s.  At the time, I belonged to a women’s civic organization and the topic often arose where we discussed the merits of breastfeeding versus bottle feeding.  As I worked part-time, I made the decision while in the hospital and chose to bottle feed my babies, who are now 26 and 22.  My sisters-in-law also bottle fed my niece and nephews, so it was just something we did in my family. At the time, I used glass bottles which I sterilized in a baby bottle sterilizer.  The plastic liners were just coming out, but I preferred to use the glass bottles. Visitors who came to my house got handed a baby and a bottle.

Did you know that today, all infant formulas that are marketed in the United States are subject to the same exacting standards of the FDA, pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980 and the subsequent LSRO report commissioned by FDA in 1998? This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formulas sold in the United States meet minimum and maximum nutrient specifications.

Store-brand formulas, which are labeled with the names of retail-store brands such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, and Babies “R” Us are as nutritionally equivalent to name-brand formulas. Furthermore, store brand formula typically saves parents up to 50 percent on formula.

Parent’s Choice Infant Formula are currently on sale and available exclusively at Walmart.

For a limited time, Parent’s Choice Infant Formula is available as a special buy: parents can buy two cans for just $10!

• Parent’s Choice Milk Infant Formula is on sale in a 15.5 oz. (440 gram) can for $5.00 each.

• Parent’s Choice Gentle Infant Formula for babies with fussiness or gas is on sale in a special 12.9 oz (366 gram) can for $5.00 each.

Now more important than ever, this information is for many mothers because of changes in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. As of October 1, 2009, a new WIC initiative aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates among families reallocates funding for all currently provided foods, including infant formula, baby foods, juices, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

This program could mean a reduction of up to 20 percent in infant-formula subsidies; parents who previously had most of their formula paid for by WIC may now have to purchase formula on their own.

For more information visit: Parent’s Choice Infant Formula

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

Follow Me on Twitter
@Moomettes

LeapFrog: Let’s Go To School DVD – Review

Educational

Leap Frog: Let's Go To School DVD

Pre-School Fun

Now that it’s Back-to-School, my granddaughter, ‘Lil Moomette is all excited.

She may be too young for Kindergarten, but she recently started dance lessons and we let her know that this milestone in her life is her “school.”

It won’t be too long before she starts her formal education, and I’ve had the opportunity to review a new DVD that will prepare her for preschool.

Lionsgate has partnered with top educational toy brand LeapFrog to release the first new LeapFrog educational DVD in four years -  LeapFrog: Let’s Go To School.

My granddaughter goes on frequent trips to visit her grandparents in Vermont, and this is an excellent DVD to pop into a DVD player for the long trip up.

With an engaging story line, school starts tomorrow, and Tad and Lily are nervous!  Your toddlers will join Tad, Lily and their magical firefly Edison as he gives them a tour of the classroom and shows them that the classroom is more nervous than they are! As the twins reassure the blocks, globe, clock and more talking teachers, they learn key lessons about phonics, counting, days of the week and animals.

This is a great educational birthday or holiday gift, and nice to have for pre-school, daycare, or to give to Grandmom to keep on hand for when the little ones visit!

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

• 5 Sing-along songs

• Interactive alphabet book

• A sneak peek at Math Adventure to the Moon

Available on: Amazon
For More Information Visit: Leapfrog

Type: Full Screen
Genre: Educational
Age Target: Children, Ages 3-6
Rating: Not Rated
Closed Captioned: English
Subtitles: English
Format: Full Screen
Feature Running Time: Approximately 35 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 2.0 Dolby Digital

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

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