Cars 2

July 2, 2011 by 11 Comments

Hey all- Sorry- I forgot to hit the “post” button- this was sitting in my box, LOL!

We just saw the Cars 2 screening, from Disney.  While I loved the movie, and liked it more, in fact, then Cars (the original)- I found it a bit violent for the kids.  It was like “James Bond” meets cartoon kid’s movie.  The problem being- while it was more entertaining for the adult in me- the mommy in me was less then then thrilled with the violent aspects.  Car torture?  Killing Cars?  LOTS of explosions, ganging up on cars to beat them up or worse, electrocuting cars, blowing them up- this was aimed at small kids, right?  NOT thrilled.  A lot of people think there should have been more Lightning McQueen.  I don’t.  I liked the Mater story line- Lightning had his movie already.  I just thought that it was a bit much for the young kids.  You know- the ones who the movie is aimed at.  No thank you.  I will let Little watch the old Cars movie any time- but I won’t let him watch this one again.  If we had a second car, I would have taken him home during this one.  I was really quite annoyed that killing and torture was deemed to be a G movie.  The cars in the movie are supposed to be living things- very much like people, with thoughts, feelings, etc.  Not hunks of metal like what we drive around in.  So think of it this way- would you want your kids to see a movie where PEOPLE were tortured and killed, chased down, electrocuted?  Not me.  The cars are supposed to be representative of people- the cars are the society.  So to show all that to children is very uncouth in my book.  Thanks anyway. 
My son loves the toys, he loves the play sets, he loves all things to do with Cars- and now Cars 2.  But no way in the world will I let him see that movie again, and that will show me to trust a movie rating.  I will make sure I see all movies before he does, from now on.  Good grief!
He can certainly play with the toys, he loves them!  And again- Cars 1 was a great, cute movie about redemption and treating others well, not being mean, showing respect, helping out, etc.  I would think before going to see this one.  Sorry ya’ll. 

Disclosure- we got to see this movie for free in order to review it.  These are my opinions, yours may differ.

Filed Under: disney, kids, movie, review

Tomorrow Starts the Birthday Bash!!!

July 1, 2011 by 6 Comments

Exciting!!!  Do you have kids?  Then you will LOVE this!
I have such, such great stuff lined up for you.   I’m bursting with excitement, and I can’t wait to share it all with you. 
Have a great night!
~Samantha

Take my new BIRTHDAY BASH button, stick it on your blog, and get 5 extra entries into any Birthday Bash giveaway! PS- I will be joined by 3 Princes and a Princess 2 starting July 10! (Hence why it’s “double trouble”- our kids are both turning 4!) So get ready, get set, and win!


Have Sippy Will Travel

Filed Under: family, kids

Little Man’s Birthday Party

July 1, 2011 by 17 Comments

Little Man is not turning 4 just yet- and don’t worry, I have quite an event planned for you guys so you can join in the celebration!  But we had his party early this year so that his friends could all come.  July birthdays are tough to attend!  His theme?  Cooper the dog from Pawparazzi. 

Where did he get this idea?  Not quite sure- but I told you he loved, loved, loved that dog!  Cooper rarely leaves his side.  So, we made some of the decorations ourselves, and asked for permission to use images of Cooper from Noodlehead.  We made the party a Hawaiian Dog party, since Cooper likes to surf, and there are only so many Cooper things I could come up with.  The cake is just a little surfboard, like Cooper’s.  I was not allowed to put Cooper or his new friends on top of the cake, for fear of being frosted (Little Man freaked out, hardcore!)   His friends are Indy, Daisy, and Toby. 

We made a “pin the tail on the Cooper”, and gave out puppy goody bags.  All the decorations were either Luau or Cooper himself!  So- a little strange, but then, that’s my kid!  (He takes after his mother, LOL)

We also got Whoopie Pies from Lancaster for the party, if you have never had them?  GET SOME, lol. 
The kids all had fun- and Little Man had a blast! 

hanging out before the party!

getting candy from the pinata

blowing out the candles

Filed Under: kids

Night Night Book

June 30, 2011 by 6 Comments

 Just go to sleep!
OK we all know that doesn’t work…Be nice if it did though, ay?
The Night Night Book is a new book written by Marianne Richmond about going to bed.  It is a rhythmic, soothing read which could help get your little ones to change from bouncing around the room to snuggling into bed and getting ready for the light, fluffy clouds of sleep.  What I enjoyed about this book is the rhyming scheme.  Most of these books get to a point where the rhyming doesn’t really work out too well, and you have to mispronounce or make up nonsense words, a la Dr. Seuss.  Just because you are a doctor doesn’t mean you can make a word to rhyme with xylophone.  😛
This book is well illustrated and is easy to read and of course memorize- as your child will most definitely want to hear it at least a few times. 
The author not only writes children books, but books for all ages and milestones in life.  And even some little ‘books’ for our life events, greeting cards. 🙂  Even some gifts to give with the greeting cards, jewelery. 
Happy reading, and sweet dreams!

Filed Under: kids, review

Cars 2 Prize pack! Win it!

June 29, 2011 by 317 Comments
 
The new Cars movie came out not too long ago.    And of course with a new Cars movie, comes a new line
of toys!  Just being released to let your little ones pretend to be McQueen zipping around the track going mano-a caro against Francesco.  There are even some kick butt tracks with all kinds of nifty features- keep an eye out for those!  Little Man loves the cars themselves.  They talk and light up along with what is being said to imitate moving mouths near the headlights.  All the new characters are here and even a few of our old favorites with new paint jobs. (Well, you can’t have the same paint job in a new movie, can you?   LOL)
I have tried to keep this post as un-spoilery as possible.  If I did ruin some point in the movie for you I apologize. It’s hard to review the cars without reviewing Cars 2!  LOL  But if you have not seen it yet, I don’t want to mess it up on you.
Little Man loves them!  He brings them everywhere- along with one of the cages from a deep-sea diving set we have- he keeps caging Francesco for being mean.  (Should I worry?  Haha)
The kids at the Pre-K fight over who gets to play with them, it is hard to keep them from fighting over them.  So, it is an exercise in sharing!  LOL 
You can purchase Cars 2 die-cast Cars for 4.99, and the Lights & Sounds die-cast collection for 7.99 each available at local retailers nationwide!
You can also win them here!  
(For clarity- I am not sure if you are winning all 5 lights and sounds figures, the same three I got, just one- or any combo therein!  But- no matter what you win- you sure can’t lose with these fun toys!)
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.

-Tell me something else that strikes your fancy from the Mattel Cars 2 line  🙂  (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 Cars 2 Prize pack!  Win it! http://t.co/20ktsiB @HaveSippy #Cars2
*can be done daily

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– 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 for review.  All opinions are my own and are honest- 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 July 7, 2011.

Filed Under: giveaway, kids, review

Day Out With Thomas

June 29, 2011 by 16 Comments

Day Out With Thomas was a cute way to spend the day with your kids.  You should be warned about the long, long lines that you will encounter, and be prepared for them at every turn.  I was not expecting that at all!  Many kids were crying and fidgety, and it was very frustrating as a parent to have to spend an hour on line to see Sir Top and Hat.  We never did get the photo with Thomas  🙁
I was truly shocked by the lines, lines to park, to get on the bus to get to the train station, to get on to the train, then finding a seat?  Good luck getting some together!  The train will move, seated or not- so quick like a bunny- find a seat and sit in it!  Lines for photos, for rides in the hand carts, etc…WOW a lot of lines.  I just didn’t expect it!  It was like an amusement park on a Saturday.
That said, I am glad we went, because Little Man was elated to see “The Real” Thomas the Tank Engine.  He almost wet himself with joy every time the little blue engine came by.  Of course, there were toys and souvenirs everywhere, for the Thomas enthusiasts.  There was also a scavenger hunt- where you could stamp your map at each of 4 locations, and collect a prize at the end. 
I think this is something worth doing at least once if you have a Thomas fan.  Just be ready!  And bring lots of water, something for them to play with on lines, and lots of sunblock and a hat for all. 
Want to go? Check and see if Day Out With Thomas is coming to an area near you soon.  It suns through Nov. 2011! 

Have Fun!

Disclosure- we received tickets to this event in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are mine, yours may differ.

Filed Under: family, kids, travel

Win Dinosaur Train Volcano Vally

June 29, 2011 by 274 Comments
ON THE ROAD TO SUMMERTIME ADVENTURE WITH DINOSAUR TRAIN!
Did You Know That July Is National Recreation and Parks Month?
Summertime is here and what better way to spend the summer with family and friends than on an adventure to visit one of our national parks and/or recreation destinations.  July is Park and Recreation Month in the U.S., and the theme for this year’s celebration is “Rock Your Park.”   The National Park and Recreation Association wants you to show the country how parks and recreation make your life extraordinary! Whether it is visiting your local park, a playground, swimming pool, or taking a family trip to one of our national park treasures, celebrate our country’s love of the great outdoors this month!  Visit the organization’s website to find out ways to get involved:  http://www.nrpa.org/july
You can also turn your visit to the local park into a game by participating in the Dinosaur Train Geocache Challenge.  Geocaching is a family friendly outdoor adventure that blends technology, gaming and environmental discovery. Each geocache features one of the dinosaurs found on the online Dinosaur Train Field Guide and contains educational information related to that dinosaur.  So, perhaps pick your local park as a destination to hide your own Dinosaur Train container. To participate in the Dinosaur Train Geocache, visit http://www.pbs.org/parents/dinosaurtrain/geocachingchallenge/
Buddy and his friends on the Dinosaur Train are always up for an adventure and exploring the world around them.  Why not take them along on your adventure to the park or camping or on a family road trip with all-new fun and easy travel product for camping/outdoors, new games and fun to read books to pack on your adventure!
·      New book from Reader’s Digest: Dinosaur Train Lift the Flap “Let’s Go To Volcano Valley” (SRP: $9.99). Ages 2+.
·      New Dinosaur Train product for camping adventures Pacific Playtents (available in October) includes: the Dinosaur Train Station House Tent (SRP: $89.90); Dinosaur Train Dino Bones Dome Tent ($59.90); Dinosaur Train Dino Bones Tunnel ($59.90).  Ages 3+.
·      New Dinosaur Train soft sporting fun from Kelly Toy: Play All Ball (SRP: $1.99), Bat + Ball (SRP: $9.99), Golf (SRP: $14.99), Football (SRP: $6.99), Baseball Mitt set (SRP: $7.99) and more. Ages 3+.
·      New Dinosaur Train 3-Wheel Scooter in colorful buddy and friends graphics, from VM Global. SRP$24.99. Ages 3+.
·      New Dinosaur Train game from Patch Products: “Take “N” Play Anywhere™ Let’s Go for a Ride! Magnetic Playset. SRP: $14.99.  Ages 3+

And, Buddy will also be spending time in the great outdoors in July. Tune in on July 4th to Dinosaur Train on PBS KIDS (check local listings) in the adventurous episode “Buddy the Tracker.” In the episode, Buddy and Don are “footprint detectives” as they track and find creatures they know at the Big Pond. The plot thickens when they discover fossilized tracks that are millions of years old!

Although the summer vacation comes to an end in August, fun with Dinosaur Train continues!  Get ready for an all-new season of Dinosaur Train this August with “Dinosaur Big City” on PBS Kids premieres August 22 and the DVD release of Dinosaur Train: Dinosaur Big City on August 23 (SRP: $14.99).  

You can win Volcano Vally!
About the book: Get ready to board the Dinosaur Train and meet some new friends! Buddy, the adorable preschooler Tyrannosaurus Rex, and this adoptive Pteranodon family are always on the move. Today, they are going to Volcano Valley. Along the way, the train is making stops at the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous stations to make dozens of dinosaur discoveries. With more than 40 flaps tolift, kids will want to explore Buddy’s world again and again!

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 Jim Henson on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway
#Win Dinosaur Train Volcano Vally http://t.co/jVtDVGM @HaveSippy @pbskids @hensonparents
– Follow PBS Kids on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway 
#Win Dinosaur Train Volcano Vally http://t.co/jVtDVGM @HaveSippy @pbskids @hensonparents
 
-“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 Dinosaur Train Volcano Vally http://t.co/jVtDVGM @HaveSippy @pbskids @hensonparents
*can be done daily

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– 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 no compensation for this post.  All info is based on sponsor’s email. . 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 July 19, 2011.

 

Filed Under: giveaway, kids

Patti Pelican and The Gulf Oil Spill- Win it!

June 29, 2011 by 94 Comments
Louisiana and much of the Gulf coast had barely recovered from the 2005 devastation of Hurricane Katrina when the area was brought to its knees by the worst environmental catastrophe in U.S. history on April 20, 2010.
Patti Pelican and Sammy Seagull of the “Salty Seas Series” were caught in the wake of this latest tragedy. Patti Pelican and the Gulf Oil Spill tells their inspiring story of rescue and release by the dedicated men and women who fought valiantly and tirelessly to rescue endangered wildlife trapped in the oil along the coastal waterways.
Patti Pelican and her critter friends live in the gulf of Mexico.  As I am sure many of you have assumed, Patti soon gets swept up in the Gulf oil spill.  This book gives a first hand account of the oil spill.  Every destructive, disgusting detail.  This book goes from the happy go lucky animals to the horrible oil spill, to what a critter has to go through in order to get clean and healthy.  Will Patty and friends be ok?  How can we possibly make things right again when we permanently change an ecosystem for the worse?
This was a great conversation starter with the kids and my Pre-K class on why this happened, and what can be done to help the environment, not just now- but also in the future.  Reducing use of fossil fuels and having our country become more “green” can only be a good thing.  The kids had a lot of questions, and made a lot of good points. 
Check out Salty Seas and understand the situation from another point of view.
When buying your book on-line, have author Lynda autograph your copy and dedicate it to your child or friend  🙂

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.

 
– Like Salty Seas and Friends 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 Cars 2 Sorry Sliders game http://t.co/s72v3BD @HaveSippy
*can be done daily

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– 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: 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.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends July 18, 2011.

Filed Under: kids, review