Hoodwinked and Hoodwinked Too- who is your fav?

Have you seen these yet?  We saw the first one, but not the second!  I loved it, and can’t wait to see Hoodwinked Too!  Hood Vs. Evil.  There may even be a giveaway here on Have Sippy Will Travel…..maybe even this weekend!  
Take the poll if it strikes your fancy- it might just be an extra entry for you  🙂

As we race toward the magical release of HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL on August 16th, enjoy the fun poll below and rate your favorites!!

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Wheels of Thunder IV Returns to Cedar Point

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Trucks, cars, interactive displays and special appearances by drivers await race
fans as Wheels of Thunder returns to Cedar Point for the fourth consecutive year from Tuesday
through Thursday, Aug. 16-18 at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort.

Different drivers will be visiting the park every day with public appearances planned for each day
of the three-day event. Guests may also be able to win a special ride with their favorite driver.
There will also be vehicles and exhibits on display all three days near the Dodgem bumper cars on
the park’s main midway.

The event opens with ThorSport Racing Day on Tuesday, Aug. 16 when drivers from the NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series will be at the park. Visiting the park that day will be Johnny Sauter,
who is in second place in Driver Championship Points, two-time winner Matt Crafton and another
recent winner, Dakoda Armstrong, who won the Winchester 200 in Winchester, Va., earlier this
In addition to the driver appearances, there will also be three ThorSport trucks and the Michigan
International Speedway’s (MIS) interactive racing-themed trailer that features simulators, race
video, helmets and driver suits.

On Wednesday, Aug. 17, NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya will be at the park to meet fans
and sign autographs. Afterward, 34 lucky contest-winners will be able to take a ride on the
Millennium Force roller coaster with him. Currently, he ranks 17th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series standings and [Read more…]

Dinosaur World- a MUST SEE when traveling!

Those are my kids near the feet!!!

What child doesn’t love dinosaurs?  There is just something about them that appeals to almost every child that I know.  Dinosaur World is something a bit out of the ordinary- part museum, part dino-shopping-center, but mostly- a fun activity-based adventure to have with your little ones.  Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky, is a great way to spend the day.  The idea of spending the whole day with all sorts of pre-historic beasts was just too exciting for my Little Man. Walking amongst dinosaurs?  Not just bones?  Well, that seemed almost too good to be true for a little boy, the day before he turned four years old!  (We even got to dig for our own fossils, which all children get to keep!  How is that for fun?)

Check out who is INSIDE the dino’s mouth!  🙂

There are true-to-life sized dinosaur re-creation statues, each made by an employee of Dinosaur World and based on the most current scientific information available.  They are made of fiberglass, steel, and concrete.  Dinosaur World Park officials consulted with European open-air Dinosaur Museum owner, as well as experts on prehistoric life to create these models.
Dreamed up by a European businessman, and first opened in Plant City, Florida, there are now three Dinosaur World locations you can visit.  (The third is in Glen Rose, Texas.)  Not just any other day in the park- here you will be face to face (or at times, knee to face!) with your favorites dinosaurs, mammoths, and prehistoric eggs, nests, and more!

Dinosaur World has over 150 life sized dinosaur creations, placed in a natural and wooded setting.  This was quite appreciated by yours truly during that Kentucky heat wave!  You will see both well known and favorite species, such as the most famous dinosaur of all (the mighty T-rex!)  as well as the lesser known varieties, and mammoths, too.  I was thrilled that they included less familiar species, it gave us more to read about when we got home.  This has already inspired more then one library trip, and many art projects.  Not just coloring, either!  Shadow boxes, models, you name it, my children are very excited.  We wrote down names of dinosaurs we didn’t know at all or very well, and the expedition to learn about them has continued.

With my Pre-School class’ graduation theme being “dinosaurs”, this came at a great time for my children, because dinosaurs are fresh in their minds, and they were excited to see the dinosaurs we had been learning about.  As fans of educational TV shows like “Dino Dan” and “Dinosaur Train”, like so many other children their age, it was great for them to see the “real” version of the dinosaurs they love to watch on the television.  “Buddy” is a little scary in reality!  LOL
Traditional Museums are wonderful for showing dinosaurs, but they only show pictures and bones.  I highly suggest that if you get the chance, take a trip to the Dinosaur World nearest you.  It will be an adventure your children will talk about for a long time to come, and none of you will forget.

Special note for teachers and parents!  You can have your child’s birthday at Dinosaur World for only 6$ a child, and all educational trips are only 5$ per person.  You sure can’t shake a stick at that!  If we had one of these in my area, I sure know where I would have been having Little Man’s birthday.  Not to mention, what a great day trip for my Pre-K class!

 Don’t forget to follow on Twitter and Facebook and keep up with all the fun  🙂

Happy exploring!

Disclosure- I visited Dinosaur World free of charge in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own. 
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Mars Needs Moms- Review and Contest

We just received a copy of Mars Needs Moms for review, and we loved it! My kids really liked it- and my son is being very nice to me, for fear that an alien will try to take me away if he’s not nice to his mommy. NOT really the thing I was looking for out of a movie- but he’s not having nightmares, and he’s being an extra-good boy, so I’ll take it! 🙂

The animation was insane! The acting came through, and you can almost forget that it is computer generated and not “real” people on screen. The facial gestures alone are fantastic. Even though this is a “kids” movie, it was one we all enjoyed, and my grandma wants to see it. We are bringing it over next week 🙂

The aliens are not “scary” looking, so they won’t scare your kids. They also make silly gestures and sound funny when they spoke, which my son loved. He thought they were just hilarious.

Seth Green is the “body” behind the main character of the movie, but not the voice. However, you can totally tell it is him, and I LOVE the extras from the movie- they are really fun and funny. As fans of Seth Green, my husband and I were cracking up.

Film Synopsis:
Take out the trash, eat your broccoli — who needs moms anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. In a race against time and oxygen, his quest to save her knows no bounds. And with some unexpected help, Milo just might find his way back to her — in more ways than one.

The 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack Includes Cool Bonus Features Such As An All-New Special 3D Exclusive Featurette, An Extra-Terrestrial Language Tutorial, Cast & Crew Behind the Scenes, Deleted Scenes and More!

The Disney Blu-ray Combo Packs provide families with an enhanced entertainment experience – offering the flexibility to enjoy the film at home, in the car and on portable devices, in several platforms of [Read more…]

Win Strawberry Shortcake Twirling Flower Fashions Doll

I know, my Little Man is a boy- but I thought it would be nice to include a few girls things in the Birthday Bash  🙂   So, for you mommies of girls- here you go!  Strawberry Shortcake– but this is not “our” Strawberry Shortcake, mommies!  She has been redone for the new generation.  Sigh.  All things must change, I guess?
Strawberry still has her trademark scent, though!

This is the Strawberry Shortcake Twirling Flower Fashions Doll Playset.  
It’s a great summer toy, because it also involves water play.  So it is fun for outdoors, or for the kitchen if you are worried about a mess  🙂  I’m not- I could care less about water, LOL.  I just put it on a towel.
My Little Man and Kamikaze had fun playing with it, as did the girls at the Pre-K.  One of the girls, if fact, “borrowed” it, and has yet to bring it back, haha.  Kids!  What can you do.
Here is a little more information for you-

“Create fashion “magic” with your sweet-smelling Strawberry Shortcake figure! Put your stylish red-haired friend on her flower stage and start the spinning action. While she’s twirling, spray water from her flower spritzer and a design will “magically” appear on her skirt! Are you two ready to create a new look? Put on her other color-change skirt or just wait for the first one to dry and then use your flower spritzer to create another new design!

Scented figure comes with 2 color-change skirts, dress, flower stage, flower spritzer, splash guard and instructions.

Ages 4 and up.”

You can buy this cute toy here for $19.99, and you can also enter to win below.  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.

 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

-What is your favorite Hasbro toy?  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 Strawberry Shortcake Twirling Flower Fashions … http://t.co/61BUpzJ @HaveSippy #birthdaybash
 
*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 2, Closer to Lucy, Have 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 will  receive the above products  for review . 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 Aug 25, 2011.

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Glide Bikes Review and Giveaway

Every child needs to learn how to ride a bike at some point of his or her life.  It is just a part of childhood!  We all remember when it was our turn, the excitement, the fear, the crashes, the boo-boos, the joy once we finally figured it out!  It is one of those “moments”, a coming of age.  And something we will always remember doing.  I don’t know what it is about our first bike– but it’s a magic thing, and it will always stay with you.
Teaching our kids to ride a bike can be a little different, because there is a new bike in town.  It’s called “Glide Bike“, and it uses a relatively new concept for us here in North America.  No pedals.
I know, I know- I bike with no pedals?  What?  and Why?   Well- it may seem really strange, but there is a motive.  Children will learn to balance on the bike, without having to rely on the training wheels, or third wheel of a bike.  After all, balance is key for riding a two-wheeler, or “big kid” bike, isn’t it?  Once your child has that mastered- it will be nothing at all to switch to a pedaled bike and ride like the wind!

notice how they are not using the pedals?  they can’t do it- or they don’t feel steady enough to

see again- the girl in the back, not using her pedals?  Little Man is ZOOMING by, LOL

As a Pre-K teacher, i LOVE to see something that helps kids learn and builds confidence!  If it also gives them exercise, and fun to boot?  I’m IN!  

One other thing I have noticed- small kids, many times, won’t use the pedals, anyway.  They just use their feet and push along the ground, and the pedals are unused at all.  Perhaps they are not ready for the pedals, perhaps they don’t know how to use them- I’m not sure.  But at least half of the kids here at the Pre-K don’t use the pedals on the trikes that we have.  And they ALL want the Glide Bike whenever I bring it!  It is easier, and more fun for them.  Plus, they feel like big kids.

Here is a little more information on Glide Bikes-
“A balance bike, or glide bike is a training bike that helps kids learn to balance and steer a bike safely. Balance bikes do not have pedals, crank set, and chain or training wheels. Glide Bikes are built for small children and special needs kids who are ready to learn how to ride a bike. Glide bikes utilize Downhill mountain bike geometry to achieve a very low speed balance point of less than 2mph and are light weight 8lbs for the Mini Glider and 10 for the Go Glider. “

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.

 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

– Follow Glide Bikes on FaceBook.  This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.  
– Follow the Glide Bikes on Twitter
-“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 Glide Bikes Review and Giveaway http://t.co/AKoqTgo @GlideBike @HaveSippy #kids #birthdaybash
 
*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 2, Closer to Lucy, Have 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 will  receive the above products  for review . 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 Aug 23, 2011.

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SecuraChild.com Helps Parents Find Missing Children Faster

This information was provided to me, so that you moms, dads, and grandparents out there can help keep your kiddos safe!   Thanks! ~Samantha

Seconds after parents upload a missing child report SecuraChild.com notifies network of
social media websites and SecuraChild.com members to begin the search

LOS ANGELES, CA – Every 40 seconds someone’s son or daughter is reported missing, totaling
2,160 missing children a day or about 800,000 missing children in the United States each year. From
the days of printing children’s faces on milk cartons and posting on highway electronic billboards the
alert systems available to help locate missing children have gone hi-tech. SecuraChild powered by
SecuraTrac is the latest advancement in these systems, combining the power of various social media
networks, including Facebook and Twitter, with email and text message notifications whenever a
child is reported missing through the site.

SecuraChild is entirely free for parents and guardians to use. An account can be created for any child
with a minimum of important identifying information including: height, weight, hair color, and eye
color. A parent can include other meaningful information including medical conditions, unique and
descriptive features as well as posting images, videos and other content that could be used to help
find their missing child quickly. The site is fully encrypted and each account is protected to ensure
the security of all information. Also, parents can choose exactly what details they want to save
on the profile that they create. If a parent’s son or daughter should ever go missing, the parent can
quickly login to their account to provide basic details such as where the child was last seen, what the
child was wearing, and where they may be going or ties to an area or community. SecuraChild then
broadcasts the information and the child’s detailed portfolio to thousands via social networking sites,
text messages and emails, creating a nearly instantaneous network of searchers.

In addition, when a missing child is reported, SecuraChild emails the parents a free PDF document
that packages all of the stored information on the missing child. Parents can provide this document
to law enforcement to expedite the process of registering their missing child with local law
enforcement and the issuance of a traditional Amber Alert.

“If your child goes missing it is nearly, if not totally, impossible to remain calm,” said SecuraTrac
CEO Chris Holbert. “Our mission in creating SecuraChild is to provide parents with a free, go-to
service that they can access in an emergency to print out the vital information they need to provide
law enforcement about their child. Details cannot be forgotten because of stress and panic this way.
Also, unlike other services that exist today, SecuraChild is free for parents to use to create profiles
for their children, and we broadcast the notification they send us when their child is missing to
Facebook, Twitter and our members to create a vast network of searchers in seconds. By using
SecuraChild parents can crowd source thousands of willing parents and child protection networks to
mobilize a search party quickly as every minute counts. We recommend that parents also work with
local law enforcement to report their child missing and to register for traditional Amber Alerts and
provide ready-made information packets to facilitate that process. ”

Provide yourself with peace-of-mind and your child with an instant search party should he or she
ever go missing. Sign-up today at www.securachild.com.

(There was no compensation or review provided to me for this post.)
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Win The DINOSAUR TRAIN: Dinosaur Big City DVD

The Jim Henson Company, Random House Children’s Books and Paramount Home Entertainment have partnered with Amtrak for a nationwide promotion in August to support the season premiere on PBS KIDS of Dinosaur Train:  Dinosaur Big City on August 22 and the DVD release on August 23.  

From August 1 – 31, families can embark on their own DINOSAUR TRAIN adventure by entering the Amtrak – Dinosaur TrainSweepstakes.  One lucky family of 4 (2 adults / 2 children) will win an Amtrak Vacations® Rocky Mountain National Park Tour to visit the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park, Colorado as part of the grand prize.  In addition, the promotion will feature DINOSAUR TRAIN placemats on Long Distance Trains, while seatbacks, counter cards, activitybook giveaways will be in over 100 stations nationwide to promote the sweepstakes and DVD release.  One million ticket jackets will be used system wide featuring DINOSAUR TRAIN. The “Dinosaur Big City” DVD will also include an Amtrak offer in 50,000 units.  Visit www.henson.com/Dtsweepstakes for promotion details.
The DINOSAUR TRAIN: Dinosaur Big City DVD includes eight fun and engaging learning adventures, as well as interactive games, coloring pages, a dinosaur reference guide and information for parents. The DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.99 U.S./$15.99 Canada.  The DINOSAUR TRAIN: Dinosaur Big City DVD is presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital English Stereo and English SDH subtitles.  The run time is 100 minutes.  The DVD includes the following:

Adventures:

·      Dinosaur Big City – Part 1

·      Dinosaur Big City – Part 2

·      Dinosaur Big City – Part 3

·      Dinosaur Big City – Part 4

·      Troodon Train Day

·      King Cryolophosaurus

·      The Theropod Club

·      Laura Giganotosaurus

Special Features:

·      Interactive Games

·      Coloring Pages

·      Dinosaur Reference Guide

·      Dinosaur Discoveries with Dr. Scott, the paleontologist

In “Dinosaur Big City,” join Buddy the T. rex and his Pteranodon family as they gather all their Theropod friends together to travel to the big Theropod Club Convention which is being held in Laramidia, the “Dinosaur Big City!” Among the travelers is King Cryolophosaurus, who’s more than a little nervous about giving a concert in front of his biggest audience ever. Can Buddy and Tiny help him overcome his fear of performing?
Here are some ways to connect with Dinosaur Train and the Jim Henson Company-

www.pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain
www.pbskids.org/parents
www.henson.com
 

 One of you can Win this cute DVD!
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.

 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Follow The Jim Henson Company on Facebook www.facebook.com/hensoncompany This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway. 
– Follow the Jim Henson Co on Twitter –www.twitter.com/hensonparents

-Follow PBS Kids On Facebook – www.facebook.com/pbskids
This is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway.  

-Follow PBS Kids On Twitter-  www.twitter.com/pbskids

-“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 The DINOSAUR TRAIN: Dinosaur Big City DVD http://t.co/X60UMiA @HaveSippy @hensonparents @pbskids #birthdaybash
 
*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 2, Closer to Lucy, Have 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 will  receive the above products  for review . 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 Aug 23, 2011.

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