Samantha, Author at Have Sippy Will Travel

Yay, Blog Award! Woot!

November 17, 2010 by Samantha 3 Comments

Thank you, Project Supermom, for the super-cool Bloggy Award, The Versatile Blogger!
I am so happy you like my blog- it makes me feel all squishy, LOL
Very appreciate it, Project Supermom!

*To accept this award, there are 4 rules*
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
Well, thank you again! You made my day, and this has been a tough week (parent teacher conferences- AHHHH!!!) so I truly appreciate it!

2. Share seven things about yourself.
LOL, you asked for it!

-I am totally freaked out by those awful hopping “Cave Crickets”. I don’t know why them and not other bugs, but I scream like a little nut if I see one!
– Want another bunny!
-am in HATE with my new gray hair popping up IN THE FRONT!!!!!
-got preggers with Little Man on accident- I think it’s fair to say he is my sun and moon, but I really was not happy to find out I was preggo at the time, and I have so much guilt about this!
-used to run 7-10 miles a day- pre-kids!
-wanted an Indian style wedding.
-really need an occasion to dress up and wear nice clothes right now, just for a change of pace! (LOL, I am so tired of being “sticky” from kids all day!!!)

3. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.
Living Out Loud
Romanian Princess
Life is a Sandcastle
ecomodern mom
Raising Future Leaders
The Kitchen Sink
http://www.zombiemomcomics.com/
Grandma Bonnie’s Closet
Harvest for Tomorrow
Hazel Loves Design
http://kdbuggie.blogspot.com/
http://blog.seattlepi.com/parentingadabsurdum/

4. Contact the bloggers you picked and let them know about the award.
Yay Bloggy Buddies! Thanks again, Project Supermom for the award, and I hope to see you all around the blogosphere! (and right here, of course, LOL)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Holiday Gift Guide- Rock ‘N Learn Review and Giveaway!

November 17, 2010 by Samantha 58 Comments

Rock ‘N Learn– What a fun way to learn! These DVDs are full of learning and music, which makes the kids want to pay attention, lol…and this is NOT an easy task!
We were sent “Making Money & Making Sense!”
My kids tried it out, Little Man is a bit young for it, but Kamikaze really enjoyed it. I also brought it to the Pre-School, and the kids really liked it. My REALLY little kids had to go to a “special” art project after about 10 minutes with the aide, but this DVD is not aimed at the under 3 group! LOL.
Here is some information on the DVD-
“Rock ‘N Learn’s Money & Making Change offers a fun learning experience for elementary-age children.
The characters in the DVD, Penny and Bill, know how to shake things up when it comes to counting
money and making change. Cool songs and games give plenty of practice with real-world skills. Even
preschoolers love the adorable characters Penny and Bill and begin to recognize coins. Students learn
about coins and how they relate to one another, strategies for counting coins and bills, “skip counting,”
expressing money in written terms, strategies for making change, and more.”

The kids really enjoyed it, and we are going to use it again next week for “learn about money” week.
A bit about the company-

“Rock ‘N Learn, Inc. began as an idea that would help children learn by putting educational material to music with a current sound-the kind of music that kids enjoy and find motivating. Now with over 50 products, we have sold millions of audio/book and video programs to teachers and parents throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Rock ‘N Learn programs help students learn math, phonics, reading, early childhood, social studies, Spanish, test-taking strategies, writing, and science. Our DVDs incorporate cool music with exciting, colorful imagery.

Rock ‘N Learn programs have received numerous awards such as Dr. Toy, Parents’ Choice, iParenting, National Parenting Publications, Learning Magazine Teachers’ Choice, Early Childhood News, National Parenting Center, and Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media. Our programs lead in the areas of quality and customer satisfaction based on surveys of school supply stores.
As documented in hundreds of testimonials received each year, Rock ‘N Learn programs work. The overwhelmingly positive response from parents, teachers, and kids generates tremendous word-of-mouth support. By consulting with educators and featuring talented vocalists and performers, Rock ‘N Learn will continue to develop quality audio and video programs that hold interest and help kids learn.”

And there is a great coupon code for all of you- yay for saving money!!!
You will get a 25% discount coupon. When placing an order through www.RockNLearn.com, please use the code SSA25 at checkout to receive the discount. The coupon code will be good through December 5.

Want to win a copy of Making Money & Making Sense?
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.

Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

-If you are a fan of Have Sippy Will Travel on Facebook you get two extra entries- feel free to leave some comment love!
+2 entries

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

– Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries
(you can tweet daily!)

– Leave me a comment on Facebook about what contests you are entering on Have Sippy Will Travel or would like to see!

– 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!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– comment on a recent non-giveaway post

Yay, so many ways to win! Good luck!

DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Sponsor is responsible for providing and sending prize. Ends Dec 4, 2010.

Filed Under: giveaway, review

On the road again….

November 17, 2010 by Samantha 3 Comments

Have Sippy Will Travel will soon be on the road again- on the way to The Chicago Toy and Game Fair!
So super psyched!
Stay tuned for more details!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Cradle Rock Review And Giveaway

November 16, 2010 by Samantha 49 Comments

Hey there Bloggy Buddies, and a happy Tuesday to you all!!!
I have a giveaway for you today, from Cradle Rock!

This cute collection of CD’s came out with the first of 3 albums October 26th of 2010. Kenny Chesney wash the first, with Michal Jackson and Johnny Cash rounding them out!

The kids liked them during naptime. They especially liked Michael Jackson- Go figure!

There are more CDs in the works,Cradle Rock albums in development include U2’s “The Joshua Sleep Tree,” Black Eyed Peas’ “Sleep-pea Hits” as well as lullaby albums inspired by Nickelback, Carrie Underwood and The Eagles to name a few.

From Cradle Rock-
“David Williams, president of Tree Top Records and executive producer, says “Thrillaby” is based on Michael Jackson’s Thriller and follows the famous album’s track listing from start to finish. “’Thrillaby’ is the perfect introduction to one of the greatest albums ever recorded, complete with irresistible melodies from the ‘King of Pop.’” The Kenny Chesney collection is stacked with number one singles, “Including the soothing, country hits representing his greatest work,” says Williams. Johnny Cash fans will appreciate lullabies based on American Records’ “The Legend of Johnny Cash, Volume One.” “Even though this project features ‘greatest hits’, it focuses on a period of recordings Cash did with legendary producer Rick Rubin,” adds Williams.

Dating back to ancient cultures, science demonstrates the importance of lullabies in the development of children. “Babies are actually born with a basic sense of timing, rhythm and tone,” says producer Stephen Gause, “which is why soothing lullabies help speed up the process of falling asleep.” Gause says the albums are for true and dedicated music fans who want to share popular music with their children. “Cradle Rock” albums, distributed by The Warner Music Group, will be available at http://www.cradlerockstore.com/, through all digital distribution services like iTunes for $9.99, and at music retail outlets across the United States for $11.98.”

Here is how to win! Winner will receive a CD of choice.

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
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

-If you are a fan of Have Sippy Will Travel on Facebook you get two extra entries- feel free to leave some comment love!
+2 entries

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

– Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries
(you can tweet daily!)

– “like” this post on Facebook

– Leave me a comment on Facebook about what contests you are entering on Have Sippy Will Travel or would like to see!

– 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!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– comment on a recent non-giveaway post

Yay, so many ways to win! Good luck!

Filed Under: giveaway, kids, review

Day 2!

November 16, 2010 by Samantha 2 Comments

Ok, I survived day 2 of Parent Teacher conferences, LOL….
Still breathing! No bloodshed! (Wow, I can’t wait for Friday!)
How is your Tuesday going?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

This week….

November 15, 2010 by Samantha 5 Comments

Parent teacher conferences this week…Yay? Can I tell you how much I DON’T like this part of my job?
Sigh. And I went to college for this abuse….and the “amazing” paycheck, lol….Someone, quick tell me good things that happened to them this weekend- I need happy thoughts! Haha…

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Holiday Gift Guide- Baby Gogo Review

November 14, 2010 by Samantha 3 Comments

I am so happy to be able to share Baby GoGo with you. This is a really great product. Not only is it really sweet and cute, not to mention well made, but it’s message is fantastic.

This cute baby doll, Baby GoGo, was initially created for the preparation of a younger sibling about to join the family. That in itself is a really good idea- our older children will certainly have some feelings regarding a new member of the family, and helping them learn about babies, how they will come home, what being a big sibling will be like, where mommy will go to have the baby, etc will all go a long way in making them feel included in the process.

Baby GoGo is also gender neutral, which means that it is made for either boys or girls. I can’t stand it when people cringe or judge a boy for wanting to play with a doll or other “girls toys”. There should be no classification between “boy’s toys” and “girl’s toys”- if someone told my daughter she couldn’t play with a football or a truck, I think I would lose it! I feel the same way about macho attitudes about boys playing with a doll. We want our sons to grow up and be good men, loving husbands, kind fathers, involved in the lives of their children- yet some cringe at the nurturing aspects of our son’s behavior, and would deny them the chance to grow and express these emotions and instincts.

About a year ago, Little Man wanted a doll and carriage. We found him an all blue doll after quite a search, ordered online. His uncle made him a stroller, then found a gray carrier when he was out of state and got it for him (he has a good uncle!) I gave him a black diaper bag I had- it’s too big for him to really carry around, but he likes to play with it. It’s hard to find stuff for a sweet little boy who wants to play daddy! (Remember Baby GoGo if you have a son or are expecting– especially if you don’t know the sex!)

Baby GoGo is not pink, nor is it blue. The colors and pattern chosen does not scream “this is for a BOY” or “GIRL”! When we brought it to the Pre-K, the kids all loved it. The kids named it “GoGo”- yep, creative bunch, LOL- and all took turns playing with baby. We read the story, “Baby GoGo Goes Home” and they had lots of questions and stories about their “little sib“s.

I would highly recommend Baby GoGo. It’s a great toy, with a great message. And packaged in recycled materials- Yay! Love that.
Baby GoGo has won lots of awards as well- here is a list!
Awards:

2010
Creative Child Magazine – Top Toy of the Year Award
Creative Child Magazine – Seal of Excellence
Moms Choice Awards – Honoring Excellence
Moms Choice Awards – Distinguished Honoree

2009
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio – Best Toy Award – Gold Seal

My thoughts? As a mom and as a teacher- Baby GoGo is a must have for Pre-School kids to about 9. Love it, Love it. Can’t say it enough. Keep it in mind for your Holiday Shopping!
Happy Shopping!

From Baby GoGo
“Dolls are a valuable tool for teaching nurturance and
in adjusting to changes in family life, especially in
welcoming a new sibling. Children love to imitate
their parents, and a doll gives a child the opportunity to care for something of their
very own. Baby GoGo™ is reinventing the look of the baby doll for the 21st century. Outfitted in bright, gender-neutral colors and patterns, our 13-inch doll is the perfect playmate for a girl or a boy, and like most children today is bright and on the move.

The Baby GoGo™ line includes illustrated storybooks, outfits and accessories featuring rich, contemporary colors that children will recognize from their own wardrobes and surroundings. The first book, “Baby GoGo™ Goes Home”, tells children the story of Baby GoGo™ leaving the hospital after being born and meeting siblings for the first time! The book comes packaged with Baby GoGo™ dressed in our sleepytime outfit and a cozy, soft blankie. This package is an ideal tool for helping a child prepare for and adjust to a new baby in the house. The accessories and outfits extend the play value with a diaper bag for children to carry, a Moses bed for baby’s naps, an outfit for playtime, and many more to come. Baby GoGo™ offers children, parents and grandparents the value of classic pretend play, while giving a fresh new look in line
with 21st century life.
Every child should have the opportunity to learn to nurture. By removing the
traditional ruffles and pastel pink and blue, Little Sib is working to remove
gender-bias in toys. Baby GoGo™ meets toy safety requirements and is packaged in recycled materials, helping to make it a purchase to feel good about. Together we can make our world kinder,cleaner and safer for our children.”