Hearts for Hearts Girls Dolls

June 28, 2011 by 6 Comments

The authentically dressed and lifelike dolls each represent a girl who is working to change her community in ways that are unique to her home country. Included with each doll are a friendship bracelet and a story booklet that explains how these multicultural girls live and contribute to their families, communities, and culture. Each doll also comes with a special code that unlocks a free membership to the kid-safe Hearts For Hearts Girls website, which features:

  • Additional information about each of the Hearts For Hearts Girls and the countries in which they live
  • Educational activities and lively games that are fun and rich in culture
  • Intriguing stories about real girls who are making a difference
  • While all girls are welcome to visit the site, the code unlocks access to additional features, including a larger array of games and a “myHeart” page

Additionally, through a partnership with World Vision3, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Hearts For Hearts Girls doll is donated to programs that support girls in that doll´s country. Whether it´s malaria nets in Africa, schoolbooks in Asia, or food supplies in the United States, these programs help girls to thrive and succeed.

Help to make a difference one doll at a time by being among the first to preview a doll from the Hearts For Hearts Girls line before they are available in retailers this fall! In addition, you and your readers can visit http://bit.ly/ShopH4HG and enter the coupon code “DUXNT4S1” to receive $3.00 towards the purchase of a Hearts for Hearts Girl doll today!

Meet the six Hearts For Hearts Girls:

  • Meet Consuelo from Mexico City. Colorful and warm, Consuelo provides aid to hungry children who are homeless and live on the streets near her parents´ bakery.
  • Meet Lilian of Belarus. Determined Lilian provides aid to girls whose parents must find work in the big city and are forced to leave their children with orphanages.
  • Meet Dell from the heart of Kentucky´s Appalachian Mountains. Dell creates music and knitwear to share with others in need of warm clothing.
  • Meet Rahel of Ethiopia. Rahel, who dreams of becoming a doctor so that she can make a real difference for people in her region, journeys with her family into the wilderness of Ethiopia to help bring back aid to her community.
  • Meet Tipi from Laos. Based on a real girl who shares her art and storytelling with others through dancing, drawing, and puppetry, Tipi leads her school in a mural contest in hopes of winning much-needed books for her class.
  • Meet Nahji who hails from Assam, India. Brave Nahji breaks tradition to bring courage and education to the girls who work in the tea fields of India.

We received Tipi-  she is from Laos, and based on a real child who is trying to make the world a better place.  Tipi is an artist who wants to bring books to her school by helping them win a contest.  You can read all about her on the website. 
Most of you know that I am a tried and true hippie-chick, and that I spent years volunteering overseas, and and am active now locally.  I truly feel that you need to walk the walk, and be the change you want to see in the world.  I try hard to pass this on to my kids, and to the kids in my classes.  It is really refreshing to see a product that is not only well made, but helps kids learn about others, other cultures, and learn empathy and social responsibility.  Kids love to play with dolls, this expresses their loving and caring natures.  This will take that one step further- and teach them about other cultures and helping others.

(Your purchase will also help children- doesn’t that help you decide which doll to buy?)
You can follow  Hearts For Hearts Girls on Facebook to keep up with all their news. 
These are nice, pretty, well made dolls- but more then that- they are for a good cause, and they will educate your kids in several arenas.  For me?  Best dolls ever. 


Disclosure: The Hearts For Hearts Girls doll, information, and coupon have been provided by Playmates Toys through MyBlogSpark.

Filed Under: education, kids, review

Angelina Ballerina Shining StarTrophy Coloring

June 28, 2011 by 2 Comments
Filed Under: kids

Win Cars 2 Sorry Sliders game

June 27, 2011 by 307 Comments
Are you ready for some bored excitement?
Wait, that came out wrong.  Are you ready for a board game with some excitement and Cars 2?  Yay- better!  LOL
Ok, so at the first look at the box. we see this is Sorry! But a new, fun, Cars 2  new edition!  Sorry! Sliders is a great game where the pace is quicker, the pieces are mobile, and of course the fun is non stop, hehehe.  Also- it’s based on the new kids movie Cars 2- including 4 character pieces from the movie and even some of the great settings from the movie : Radiator Springs, Toyko, Porta Corsa and London.  There are radiation zones and oil slicks, orange cones and all kinds of craziness.  This game is a perfect change of pace for the average board game night.  My kids usually can’t sit still for too long during games, but because of the Cars 2 theme and the kinetic feel to gameplay we actually got through a round of play where everyone played and had fun!  Also the price point is really nice too, $25 retail.  The Hasbro website it is less then $20.  So give it a shot and enjoy yourselves.  But Little gets to be McQueen!  (LOL)
One of you can win this game.
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 Hasbro Family Game Night on  Facebook  and Twitter  (+1 entry for each!)  this is not mandatory, and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this giveaway. 

-“Like” me on Facebook
+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 June 30, 2011.

Filed Under: family, giveaway, kids, review

Day Out With Thomas

June 25, 2011 by 1 Comment

OY, they should have called it “Line Day”, LOL.  I will upload pics and give you all sorts of details ASAP.  It was a long day, and while it was cute and fun, it was too crowded and had too many lines for too many things, and those lines were WAY TOO LONG for my taste.  Plus, no strollers in lines- not cool for parents of little peanuts- and it was hot.  Hot lines with crabby kids, bored from waiting- not cool.  I was not prepared for a theme-park like wait for every activity.  I like the regular train days at Strasburg better, even if you can’t see Thomas.  But it was something that you should do once, at least, if you have a little train fan like I do!  My Little Man LOVES Thomas.  What a day!  LOL.  But Little Man liked it a lot, even if he was mad at all the lines.  He got to meet his buddy, Thomas!  🙂
See you tomorrow!
~Samantha

Filed Under: family, kids, travel

Day Out With Thomas- Tomorrow!

June 24, 2011 by 8 Comments

Tomorrow we will be in Lancaster, PA for Day Out With Thomas! 
I will be tweeting from the event, and will have lots of pics for you when we get back.  Have a great day!
~Samantha

Join Thomas the Tank Engine™, a full-sized operating steam locomotive, as he greets friends of all ages. Ride a train pulled by Thomas and meet Sir Topham Hatt™. You’ll find lots of other exciting activities, and a complete selection of Thomas merchandise in our gift shop.

Filed Under: family, kids, travel

Bindi Irwin Wildlife Series- Review and Contest

June 24, 2011 by 96 Comments
G’day mate!  (LOL)
There is a great new book series out there.  I’m sure you all know the tragic story of Steve Erwin, “The Crocodile Hunter”.  If not please feel free to take a quick look: his story.  Ok now that you are all back, his daughter is Bindi Irwin.  She wants to, “…help endangered wildlife just like dad did.”  She is trying very hard to make a difference, through education.  Bindi has started to release her own book line, Bindi Wildlife Adventures.  Her first book, Trouble at the zoo  did a nice job of setting the tone for the series.  This book is sweet- is a great book for kids between the grades of one through four.  It involves a particular hairy event during the celebration of Bindi‘s birthday party at the Australian zoo.  Lots of zany stuff happens, like karaoke, animal rides, dancing- there is even some mystery and a macaw.  That’s right a macaw!  This critter was Kamikaze’s favorite, too.  She was able to read and understand what was going on in the story with a little help.  A bit of background on Kamikaze- She is an average student in first grade, but she is great at math while struggling with reading- so books like this that she really enjoys will help motivate her to practice.  She really liked this book and will probably follow the series.  Which is great considering this is teaching her about animals, science, activism, and reading.  The only downside is…we have to wait for the next books to come out! LOL  I am just happy she is learning the excitement that is reading.  Her momma loves to read, and I hope she will, too!  We are also animal activists in this house, so reading about helping animals, and learning about animals is familiar and fun territory for her.
One of you will win a copy of a Bindi book!  
If you would like to win, 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.

– Register at Totally Bindi for her updates

– Like Totally Bindi on Facebook for an extra entry- this is NOT sponsored by Facebook in any way, nor is this a mandatory entry

– Follow  Totally Bindi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway
#Win Bindi Irwin Wildlife Series- Review and Contest http://t.co/BM8hH1t @HaveSippy @TotallyBindi

-“Like” me on Facebook
+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 Bindi Irwin Wildlife Series- Review and Contest http://t.co/BM8hH1t @HaveSippy @TotallyBindi
*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 17, 2011.

Filed Under: animals, book review, giveaway, kids, review

Choo Choo Barn- part 2!

June 23, 2011 by 8 Comments

You all know how much Little loves trains, and how much fun we had visiting the Choo Choo Barn in Lancaster, PA. We are visiting Lancaster again this weekend, and are planning to stop back at the Choo Choo barn- it was so adorable!
What’s cool about small trains? Little puffs of smoke, and you get to see [Read more…]

Filed Under: family, kids, travel

My Dad, My Hero

June 23, 2011 by 10 Comments
My Dad My Hero is a heart warming book written from a little boy’s persepective.  It is about the boy’s father.  The dad is not just any dad, well- actually he is any dad.  He is a tough guy, who tries his best, but still fails sometimes.  Fixing things, opening jars and in general doing stuff a ‘dad’ would do.  But as most real ‘dads’ do, sometimes he doesn’t do them super-well.  But he does try and make everyone as happy as can be.  And this is why the little guy in the book loves his dad so much.  Its the time and effort he puts into it, not neccessarily the outcome.  It was very nice reading this book to my little guy (cuter still was watching daddy read it to him), it was just long enough to keep his attention, get the point across and still have a theme.  The illustrations were also nice on the eyes, bright colors and easily reconizable situations and events.  What parent hasn’t been trying to tidy up the yard and had to tussle with a bee, ending in running and yelping like a wounded puppy? LOL.   I know I have done similar things, and so has Little’s daddy, and I laughed about it while reading the book.
 
The author/ illustrator of the book is: Ethan Long.  You may recognize his illustrating style from Disney Jr’s show:   Tasty Time with Ze Fronk.  It is nice to see a unique illustrator expand into different mediums.  In addition to My Dad My Hero, Mr. Long wrote a plethora of other books, more than fifty actually.
Give this book a shot if you are trying to create a little father son time, you won’t regret it.

Filed Under: book review, kids, review