Archives for September 2011

Giveaway Gala! Come by and Win :)

Welcome to this week’s Giveaway Gala!   Each week, this linky will be featured on the Fabulous Collective Media Magic blogs.  You can add your giveaways as well, and they will also be featured.  Make sure you check out our featured giveaways while you are here  🙂

 Meet your Collective Media Magic Bloggers!

3 Princes and a Princess 2Closer to LucyHave Sippy Will Travel, and The Thrifty Things.

Here are This Weeks Featured Giveaways!

Featured Giveaways:

The Thrifty Things:

Closer To Lucy:

3 Princes and a Princess 2:

Have Sippy Will Travel:

GALA:

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Nutrisystem Nation- Update


So, as I am sure you have all most likely guessed, I have not been on my Nutrisystem these past 2 weeks.  With the flood ruining my home and belongings, and the loss of power, the food was ruined anyway.  Not that I could have been microwaving any of it anyway, LOL, or that weight loss was really on my mind a WHOLE lot, but hey- you can bet I was REALLY exercising!  Nothing like moving mattresses, couches, toys, weight benches, washing machine, etc and your entire wardrobe up a few flights of stairs and out to the curb to burn up some calories!  😛

So, I was working my muscles, but not eating the Nutrisystem, as it was just not possible.  The good news?  I just got the shipment of the shelf stable foods today, so I can start again tomorrow.  And I plan to.  With all that is going on that I can’t control, it will be nice to have control of my diet again at least.  My current weight is down 2.2 lbs from the last update that I gave you, but that is not a huge surprise, figuring how much physical activity I have been doing.  Total weight loss is now just over 19 pounds. 

Tomorrow I begin again.  Hey!  Now that all my clothes are trashed anyway, it gives me a great reason to try even harder- I need to get all new clothes anyway, may as well look fab in them, right?  LOL
I did save my FAVORITE gray dress and a few other pieces- so a few things I can look forward to wearing.  AND I put on a pair of jeans I have not worn in years.  I still have a ways to go.  I’ll get there.

See you next week with a proper update!  🙂
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Can you believe it’s been ten years? Remembering 9/11

I don’t want to write a post about this.  It feels so fresh, doesn’t it?  And I feel like a cliche right now.
We all know right where we were, who we were with, and every second of those minutes and days.  Its crazy looking at my class, and my kids, and knowing that they weren’t even alive at the time.  Not that I want to talk to small kids about that, those days.  Those acts.  Monsters are already all too real for little children, I wouldn’t want to have them know at such a tender age that no, there are no monsters in your closet or under your bed.  The real monsters look just like us, and are just people filled with hate.  You can’t tell who they are.  It’s too scary for me, I hate thinking of little kids having to hear these things. 

I was a nanny at the time, and there were small children whose daddy worked in the towers at the time, that I was taking care of.  (Daddy was OK- he was on a business trip).  I was horrified that the 3 year old saw and heard the things he did-  he understood too much.  Bad men came and killed people in planes, and in daddy’s work.  People died, and now everyone cries all the time.  Cars stayed in train stations for weeks.  Their owners were not coming home. 

What I told my class and my kids, is that September 11 is a day called Patriots Day, where we remember special people who passed away during a very sad event.  Linda Ellerbee and Nickelodeon put out a DVD and some info about talking to kids about it- but I still want to wait until kids are just a bit older, at least 7 or so, before talking to them about these events that shook our nation.  No point scaring them right now- they just don’t need to know.  Or maybe I just don’t want to talk about it with them.  

It just seems like it happened 5 minutes ago, not 10 years.  I was a freshman in college, and they locked down our school because we were so close.  No one’s phone worked.  And we were all terrified.  One of the teacher’s had her son working there and wouldn’t stop screaming.  My boss worked there, and I was worried sick.  And thinking of his wife and kids…..Then when the towers fell.  We were so young, we thought it was World War 3 beginning.  Sigh. 

Prayers of thanks for all those rescuers who did all they could that day.  And for those who still suffer.  Prayers for those who are so filled with hate, that God will turn their hearts and make them love, and accept others.  Prayers for the oppressed, that they experience life and joy.  Prayers for the families of the lost, the suffering, the forever changed. Prayers for the children who grew up without a parent.  For those who died in the planes.  For those who fought the men who created havoc, and saved the lives of others while sacrificing their own. 

Mostly- Prayers for this world, and for it’s people.  That we can learn to love, to honor, and to accept those who are not like us, and learn to live together in peace.  Because there really is no there way.  It shouldn’t matter who you love, what God you worship, or where you happen to hail from.  We all bleed the same color, and we all ultimately want the same thing.  To live in peace, to be happy, to raise our families and to go about our lives.  I think those are pretty worldwide goals. 

Please God, have mercy on this world, and have mercy on your children.  Help us learn to love each other, and help us learn to live in peace together.  Children do need to grow up some day, and man’s history has been littered long enough with hate and war.  Please God, teach us to love, to let go, and to accept- even if we don’t agree or approve, we can let go and let God. 

Peace and love to you and yours, bloggy buddies.  May whomever you pray to, or whatever guides you, bring you peace and joy and love.  And may we create it for ourselves. 

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Re-Tweet Club! Who wants to be Tweeted?

Want help sharing your posts, reviews, and giveaways? Want to increase your Klout? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Let’s help each other out with retweets!

Join the Retweet Club!

With your hosts:

@Syrana, @Marirene74, and @HaveSippy

The Rules:

1 – The first rule about the Retweet Club is to talk about the Retweet Club.

2 – Tweet the last entry on the spreadsheet (copy and paste!) – The first spot will always be about the RT Club post!

3 – Choose any post you want that’s family friendly!

4 – Add your tweet to be retweeted – typed AS you want it tweeted (refer to the first spot for an example).  Please make sure it is only 140 characters.

5 – Use bit.ly or tinyurl to shorten your post links.

6 – You can retweet more than one and post more than one request.  We ask that you retweet one for each that you post.  We will randomly tweet off the list too.

Optional – You can follow the hosts and send us a tweet telling us you are part of the #RTClub and we’ll follow you back!

If you’d like the code to post the listing on your blog, please contact me and I’ll send it to you.

**PLEASE NOTE** It takes about 5 minutes for the spreadsheet on this post to update with your submission. To see the spreadsheet and confirm your information was recorded you may CLICK HERE.

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Win a FAB Amy Michelle Bag- gorgeous meets function!

Hey guys- You will have to please excuse this review, because it arrived while I was away on travel, and then my house flooded, so I don’t have the bag anymore.  I only briefly saw this bag, but I am truly and deeply sorry that it didn’t make it, because it was SO PRETTY and so ultra functional, and you know how picky I am with bags! (And mine is busted- so the timing was great!  LOL- such is life, right?)

It is a diaper bag that LOOKS like a regular purse.  AND it has all those amazing pockets that I love inside for organization! 

I can tell you that it is the ultimate in diaper bags, the coolest and best looking one I have seen as well.  I am so sorry I don’t have my own photos for you.  But, here is some product information and pictures for you that the sponsor provided.

The Lotus Diaper Bag Forget diaper bags in pastel colors. Amy Michelle offers runway-fierce totes that would satisfy the most savvy fashionista, and no one but you needs to know about the diapers inside! All bags feature Mom’s section in front, baby’s organization in the middle and separate changing area in the back. Your purse and diaper bag all-in-one.

Baby’s Section:

  • Changing pad (24″ x 14″) – Remove padding to wash lining
  • 2 Internal & 2 external baby/water bottle pockets
  • Quick release pacifier holder
  • 7 pockets for maximum organization
  • Compartments for diapers, wipes and bottles
  • Stroller attachments included

Mom’s Section:

  • Top zippered closure
  • Zipper closure outside front pockets
  • Credit card slots
  • Easy to find key ring
  • Bright antimicrobial lining
  • Slip pocket on the back
  • 4 metal feet on bottom

Another cool part?  One year warranty against manufacturer defects- how cool is that? 

One of you will be able to win this beautiful Poppy Clutch in Chocolate  (of course you can always pick one up HERE as well!) 


Here is how to enter!

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  In  your comment, please- along with which size you would prefer  🙂
 Extra Entries
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
– Like Amy Michelle Go Totes on Facebook- This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.  
– Follow Amy Michelle on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway  🙂  
(can be done once daily!) 
#Win Amy Michelle Diaper Bag/Purse #bag #Contest http://tinyurl.com/3g23bau @amymichellebags  @HaveSippy 

-“Like” me on Facebook -feel free to give me some comment love!  🙂  This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.
+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription  or via RSS
+3 entries

– Follow me on Twitter ( or you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win Amy Michelle Diaper Bag/Purse #bag #Contest http://tinyurl.com/3g23bau @amymichellebags  @HaveSippy  

*can be done daily

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Follow any of the Collective Media Magic Fun for Fall event Bloggers’ sites! 

3 Princes and a Princess 2Closer to LucyHave Sippy Will Travel, and The Thrifty Things.  You can Follow GFC, Twitter, or Facebook- each is worth an entry.  

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please) 

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)   *Can be done daily 

– enter another one of my giveaways 

– comment on a non-giveaway post

– Like this post on Facebook, Stumble it, or hit G+1 button  (each is worth one entry) 

– Add this to a giveaway linkey (except Online Sweepstakes!) +3 entries each 

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck! 


DISCLOSURE: I received the above product to facilitate this review.  All opinions are mine, yours may differ.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends Oct. 3, 2011
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Win Playmobil Playset – Children’s Zoo

My kids love Playmobil!  They have the best playsets, and I love that they come with everything a kid could want to crate a fun space.  You can have just one set, or add on as you want and build a whole city, town, or in this case- zoo! 

You know this is Little Man’s favorite set of toys- he ADORES wild animals (farms, and animals of all kinds, really) as you can tell from his bedroom, and most of his toys, haha.  He was so super psyched when he saw this Children’s Zoo Playset.  Do you not love the attention to detail?  I love all the little trees, flowers, tufts of grass, the ripples in the water, and so much more! 


This is a children’s petting zoo area, and what kid doesn’t love a petting zoo?  None that I know of!  Look at all the cute little animals, and you can change the fence around to however your child likes it.   There is shelter for the animals, a duck pond, and water with a turning water wheel.  There is a cute little mom and kid, as well as a few extra kiddos, because every petting zoo will have tons of kids at it, yes?  Yes!

There is a WHOLE Zoo world you can also add onto this set with, should your heart so desire.  I bought Little Man a few Playmobil sets since he has begun collecting Playmobil- we had never seen these before, and now I wonder why not?  He really loves them, and he likes when things “match” and go together.  He especially likes the Mommy and Baby sets of animals that most of these sets come with. 

Kamikaze likes that she can make up stories with them- she played “class trip” with this the first day, and brought in some other Playmobil people and Little People as the extra cast, haha.  She of course also did mom and dad taking the kids to the zoo, and then made one where the sheep put all the people in the zoo, threw cherries at them, and then laughed.  (She’s a little strange.  What can I say.)

So!  Playmobil has a great website where you can see all the fun sets that they have to offer.  You can also buy them at Toys R Us for sure, they have most of an aisle dedicated to them.  
You can also enter to win this fab set below! 

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win. 
 Extra Entries
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
– Like Playmobil on Facebook- This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.  
– What is your favorite Playmobil set, besides the one mentioned above?  Links help!  

-“Like” me on Facebook -feel free to give me some comment love!  🙂  This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.
+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription  or via RSS
+3 entries

– Follow me on Twitter ( or you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win Playmobil Children’s Zoo Playset #Contest http://tinyurl.com/43y7qx2  #kids #toys @HaveSippy  

*can be done daily

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Follow any of the Collective Media Magic Fun for Fall event Bloggers’ sites! 

3 Princes and a Princess 2Closer to LucyHave Sippy Will Travel, and The Thrifty Things.  You can Follow GFC, Twitter, or Facebook- each is worth an entry.  

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please) 

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)   *Can be done daily 

– enter another one of my giveaways 

– comment on a non-giveaway post

– Like this post on Facebook, Stumble it, or hit G+1 button  (each is worth one entry) 

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck! 


DISCLOSURE: I received the above product to facilitate this review.  All opinions are mine, yours may differ.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends Oct. 3, 2011
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Win Water Wear Swim Diaper Covers

Swim safe. Sun safe.

Recreational Waterborne illnesses in swimming pools are a serious public health issue.

According to public health departments, swim diapers that really work are:
– Snug-fitting around the legs & waist to contain solid matter
– Made from waterproof material to prevent leakage

Secure Protection in the Pool!

• Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs spread by
swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having
contact with contaminated water

• These germs cause a wide variety of infections, including
gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and
wound infections

• The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea. Diarrheal
illnesses can be caused by germs such as Crypto, Giardia,
Shigella, norovirus and E. coli

States are enacting law governing public pool safety…27 states now require or encourage the use of approved swim diapers for diaper-aged children swimming in public pools.

After a crypto virus outbreak in public swimming pools in 2007, the state of
Utah enacted into law that “swim diapers and waterproof underwear shall have waist and leg openings
fitted such that they are in contact with the waist and leg around the entire circumference.”

One of you will be able to win some of these water wear swim diaper covers by i play, perfect for travel, and very affordable!  Here is how to enter.


Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  In  your comment, please- along with which size you would prefer  🙂
 Extra Entries
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
– Like i play Babywear on Facebook- This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway. 
– Subscribe to i play’s blog
-“Like” me on Facebook -feel free to give me some comment love!  🙂  This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.
+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription  or via RSS
+3 entries

– Follow me on Twitter ( or you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win Swim Diaper Covers from i play  #Contest http://tinyurl.com/3cjvlh4  #baby @HaveSippy  

*can be done daily

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Follow any of the Collective Media Magic Fun for Fall event Bloggers’ sites! 

3 Princes and a Princess 2Closer to LucyHave Sippy Will Travel, and The Thrifty Things.  You can Follow GFC, Twitter, or Facebook- each is worth an entry.  

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please) 

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)   *Can be done daily 

– enter another one of my giveaways 

– comment on a non-giveaway post

– Like this post on Facebook, Stumble it, or hit G+1 button  (each is worth one entry) 

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck! 


DISCLOSURE: I received nothing for this post.  All opinions are mine, yours may differ.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends Oct. 3, 2011
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Router Review AND Contest! Daddy’s Corner

Daddy Here!  As the techie-geek, I thought I would handle this one.  
So what is all around us yet can be so aggravating to actually use and keep using you want to pull your hair out?

Answer: The Internet.  If your connection to the Internet seems to be more of a chore then a pleasure it might be time to rethink some of your tech.  There are a few components to look at first of all, call your provider.  Ask them if they see any errors on their end that would cause there error.  Nine out of ten times this won’t really help, but it is worth a try.  Next up check your wires, look for frays and lose connections.  Don’t try to repair the wires just get new ones.  
Next up your router.  This is a biggie.  You want to get something that can cook it yet won’t break the bank or be over complicated.  Up comes the Cisco Linksys E4200.  This wireless router is dual band runs on gigabit speed and runs on the wireless n protocol.  IF you aren’t all that tech savvy, all that means is it is very up to date and will give you the speed for your kids or husband to kick tush in their on line video games, you the ability to use the Internet for browsing and photo uploading and of course the little ones the ability to check out what a spaceship really does in a video form.   

Setup of the router was incredibly easy.  Took about an hour and that includes setting up the security.  Interesting tidbit when switching to a new router we had a friend who complained the internal log caught allot of blocked traffic.  Odd part is there was a clear increase in speed.  So not only was their router slower but also less secure and thus leaking bandwidth. Some more nifty characteristics are the ease of use.  Lest say you are having some guests over and they aren’t of the highest regard.  You can set up a private network allowing only limited access to the Internet.  There are also parental controls which can be used to limit access time and also sites themselves.
The Linksys E4200 wireless router is perfect for anyone interested in building the ultimate connected home. The E4200 is the first building block that can handle gaming consoles, HDTV streaming video, Roku boxes, eReaders, smartphones, and anything other wireless device that needs screaming connectivity. Also, with back to school fast approaching, now is a great time for parents to make sure their homes are well-equipped for their kids to succeed academically and maximize learning from home to school.  A simple and cost-effective way to make the home an ideal learning environment is to transform the home into a learning hotspot with home wireless.

Today’s middle and high school students have grown up with mobile technology and feel most comfortable in a wireless environment for anytime/anywhere studying, interactive web research, easy collaboration and communication and parent accessibility.  The wireless home learning environment also more closely aligns with how they use technology at school. The Linksys E4200 router from Cisco (http://homestore.cisco.com/E4200) lets parents easily set, use and manage their own home wireless. The E4200 is also perfect for college students setting up wireless in their first home away from home.


This router is a great upgrade and an easy one to install and use,  With a little knowledge and some studying up it has a whole lot of bells and whistles.
Enjoy 🙂
Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  In  your comment, please- along with which size you would prefer  🙂
 Extra Entries
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
– Like Cisco on Facebook- This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway. 
-“Like” me on Facebook -feel free to give me some comment love!  🙂  This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.
+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription  or via RSS
+3 entries

– Follow me on Twitter ( or you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win Computer Router from Cisco #Contest http://tinyurl.com/3bkw8zf   #technology @HaveSippy  

*can be done daily

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Follow any of the Collective Media Magic Back To School event Bloggers’ sites! 

3 Princes and a Princess 2Closer to LucyHave Sippy Will Travel, and The Thrifty Things.  You can Follow GFC, Twitter, or Facebook- each is worth an entry.  

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please) 

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)   *Can be done daily 

– enter another one of my giveaways 

– comment on a non-giveaway post

– Like this post on Facebook, Stumble it, or hit G+1 button  (each is worth one entry) 

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck! 


DISCLOSURE: I received the above product in order to facilitate this post.  All opinions are mine, yours may differ.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends Oct. 2, 2011

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