We know how stir crazy the kids (and their moms) get when cold temperatures keep us cooped up indoors. And experience has taught us that sometimes what kids need most is a little time and space to run off their extra energy. We snapped these fun pictures at Jumpzone in Bentonville, a great place to bring kids who need a little time to do what kids do best - run, climb, jump, slide, laugh and play with friends.

We mamas like Jumpzone, too, because it gives us a chance to sit and talk with other moms, read a book or snap some photos of the kids in action. And we always leave there with kids who not only had fun but also got some exercise (without having to bundle up in coats, scarves and mittens.)

Remember, Jumpzone is not just a party place. They’re open for general public play times on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can see their playtime schedules (updated monthly) by clicking on the Jumpzone ad on the right-hand side of this page. (Choose the location you want to go to and then follow the prompts on their website to see the play times.)

(By the way, the last time I was there I tried the big Pirate ship slide with my 4-year-old, and that thing is FAST and FUN! Kid-tested, Mama approved.)

The Northwest Arkansas kids pictured here are: Top, Sadie Steele of Centerton; Right, Jack Rockwood of Rogers; Left - Huge inflated Batman slide of Bentonville’s Jumpzone; Bottom - Jack Hamm and Ty Steele of Centerton.

For more info, visit Jumpzone online or call 479-202-4476 for directions on how to get there. Have fun.

VERSUS

If two of the top-selling refrigerators had a fight, which one would win a spot in your kitchen? That’s the question we posed during our last trip to Metro Builders Supply (located on Highway 71Business between Springdale and Lowell). We pitted two of the top styles against one another so we could really compare and contrast them. Here’s what we learned during our version of “Fridge Fight Nite.”

GE Profile French Door Refrigerator (Style number: PFSS6PKX5S)

(Pictured above on the right)

The pros:

• The space in this thing seems HUGE.
• Love the width; perfect for big platters, deli trays, casserole dishes, etc.
• Adjustable, spill-proof shelves with a pop-up shelf to make room for tall liter bottles;
• Temperature-control on a big deli drawer;
• LED lighting that never needs replacing.
• In-door ice maker offers cubed or crushed ice. (Yum.)
• Most of the time I’m using the fridge portion, not the freezer. I like that the fridge space is all on top and the chest-style freezer is below.

The cons:

• Speaking of that chest-style freezer, it seems a little small and most of the food would have to be stacked on top of each other.
• The in-door ice-maker has trouble keeping up with a big demand. It makes about 4 to 6 pounds of ice a day, but that won’t last if your family likes lots of ice in every drink.
• Price tag is about $2,400 - a pretty big investment.

GE Profile Side by Side Refrigerator (Style number PSHF6RGXSS)

(Pictured above on the left)

The pros:

• The price is markedly lower at $1,699.
• Still offers the nice slide-out shelves like the French Door version
• LED lighting that won’t need replacement bulbs
• Door storage can hold gallon-size jugs of milk and other drinks
• Can holder for 9 drinks
• Deli-fresh drawer is temperature controlled.
• This one makes way more ice than its French Door counterpart and can turn out around 12 pounds of ice. Cool.

The cons:

• Even though the cubic foot capacity is identical between these two competitors, the side-by-side style seems SO much smaller and tighter than the French Door version. It may be just the perception, but it’s definitely worth mentioning.
• The side-by-side style gives me fewer possibilities on shelf organization.
• It’s just not wide enough to slide in a big deli tray or party platter.

So who delivers the knock-out punch and wins the match? It really comes down to which one delivers the most for your specific wish list. For me, the French Door style takes the title because I like the width, I have extra freezer space in my garage and I don’t use very much ice. But that’s just me. Which one would win in your kitchen? Share your comments below if you have experience and likes or dislikes about either style.

Here’s a note if you’re looking for a refrigerator with similar features as the ones described above but want something with a little more contemporary, modern look (pictured right). The Jenn-air brand French Door and Side-by-Side refrigerators had most of the same features and even offered a really neat “Chillkeeper” compartment, designed specifically to keep your milk fresher longer. We like that idea a lot.

For more info on these refrigerators or any others, call Metro Builders Supply at 479-750-2200 or check out their HUGE showroom on Highway 71 Business in Springdale or browse online by clicking HERE.

Quinetta Tyree, that’s who! Quinetta’s the lucky winner of the $100 shopping spree to Melody’s Choices with locations at Pinnacle Promenade and the Northwest Arkansas Mall. At the NWA mall, they have the “fun” store with all the kids’ toys (it’s definitely a touch-this kinda place) and across the hall they have the gorgeous ornaments, Snow Village pieces, Pandora jewelry and other awesome collectibles like Quinetta’s favorite: “Just the Right Shoe.”

Quinetta, who works at JB Hunt Transport, e-mailed us this message about what she’d do with $100 at Melody’s Choices: “I would probably spend all of it on the vast toy section. But I would probably have to take out a little time to visit the ‘Just the Right Shoe’ section. The Notorious (pictured left) and the Caramel Kick are especially eye catching.”

Just the Right Shoe is a Department 56 collectible, said Melody’s Choices Owner Steve Melody.

“Just the Right Shoe has been a nice, affordable collectible for a number of years here at Melody’s Choices,” he said. “The selection is really great right now.”

Among these kickin’ collectibles is the 2008 Christmas Kiss shoe (pictured right), which was created specifically for this year’s holiday. Steve said a new, fabulous shoe comes out every year during Christmas.

Whether it’s toys or $100 worth of Just the Right Shoe(s), we look forward to hearing about Quinetta’s shopping spree. She’ll certainly have quite a selection to choose from. Click HERE to make your own Choices! Or stop by either location to shop your favorite store in person.

“I would have a mother’s ring made that has plenty of big diamonds surrounding the birthstones.” ~ Lisa

“I would have my grandparents’ weddings rings made into a ring for my mom. She would love that.” ~ Lindy

“I would redesign my wedding ring… The new design would have a wider band, to show how our love has grown in the past 20 + years…” ~ Patti

Those were just a few of the wonderful, touching responses we received this week when we asked the question “What piece of custom jewelry would you have made if money were no object?” Thanks so much for offering a glimpse into what you’d design for yourself or someone you love. Well, we think all your good comments and e-mails deserve an equally good story about a phenomenal ring created by Underwood’s for a fellow mother who lives hundreds of miles away. She did it all by phone, Internet and e-mail.

Dee Velvin lives in Dallas and had never laid eyes on the beautiful Underwood’s building on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas. But when a friend in Dallas told her about the nationally-recognized jeweler, she called the store and asked if they could help her upgrade her wedding ring in honor of her 10-year wedding anniversary. Craig Underwood took that call, and that’s how the story began years ago. They worked via phone and e-mail without meeting in person.

Dee was so happy with her upgraded wedding ring that she and her husband continued to buy pieces from Underwood’s and even recommended that Dee’s father call Underwood’s when he wanted to design a special sapphire ring for Dee’s mother. The sapphire ring was born via phone conversations and e-mail messages between Dee’s dad and Craig Underwood, who would send detailed photos to make sure he was on the right track for creating the perfect ring.

When Dee and her husband inherited a ring from his great grandmother a few years ago, they knew exactly who they wanted to update it and enhance the diamond’s family history. They shipped it off to Underwood’s, where Craig analyzed the diamond and recommended it be re-cut to give it more sparkle. Then he suggested different designs that would best fit the diamond’s cut and color. When Craig sent Dee a photo of this original Underwood’s design (pictured above) she fell in love with it. It was the perfect combination of modern elegance and old-world beauty she’d been hoping for. After years of sitting in a safe-deposit box, the diamond was reborn.

“I get compliments on this ring a lot because it’s something you don’t see all the time,” Dee said. “It really is special.”

Last summer, Dee paid a visit to the birthplace of her custom ring for the first time when she was in Arkansas to pick up her daughter from summer camp. “Everybody there (at Underwood’s) is just wonderful. They really take care of you.”

So for those of you dreaming of a special piece of jewelry you’d like to have made, check out the Underwood’s website for more info on custom creations. Or call Craig Underwood at 479-521-2000.