Poofin Contest!

Little Man loves his Poofin.  He brings it all over the place.  Wait- you don’t know what a Poofin is?  Let me tell you all about it  🙂
Poofin, which debuted at NY Toy Fair this year, is a fun new toy that is sure to get you and your child talking.  It was created to help you and your children get to know each other better.  What they like, dislike- and all their favorites.  We often think we know out kids, but can be really surprised with some of their answers!  Poofin is a cute, soft, plush star.  Inside the Poofin, you can place little charms inside them, to personalize your Poofin and fill it with your child’s favorites.  Poofin comes in 3 colors, red, blue, and pink. 
Little was sent a red Poofin and a shark Charm.  He thought it was fun- and wanted to sleep on it, LOL.  It is soft and pillow-y!

A Poofin is an uber plush, star-shaped toy with a hollow center that can hold a collection of
small plush charms. The charms feature images of people, places and things kids are crazy
about. Over time, kids fill their pillow-sized Star with as many as 50 soft charms. Designed
to fit in a child’s bedroom, the Star and its contents allow a child to reflect on all the positive
experiences and things in their life. The Poofin Star is also perfectly portable for sleepovers and
road trips, helping kids who are on-the-go easily share who they are with friends and family.

“Poofin is a ‘must have’ for parents who want to raise a happier, more confident child,”
according to author and psychologist Maureen Healy. Healy is the founder of Growing Happy

Kids, a worldwide organization dedicated to bringing out the best in children and blogger for
PsychologyToday.com. She has written about how mirroring a child’s unique skills and interests,

an activity that Poofin facilitates, can be very positive and empowering for the child.

Poofin was tested with hundreds of kids, and one thing was certain – it got them talking about
who they are and what they like. As kids build their own Poofin charm collection, they get a
better understanding of just how awesome they are.

“A big part of Poofin is about asking questions and tapping into a child’s natural curiosity. Who
are you? Do you play a sport? What do you like to do for fun? Who is your best friend?” says
Poofin Co-founder Ann Bowar. “If the act of acknowledging what makes you unique and seeing
what makes you the one and only you can make you shine a little brighter, then we hope Poofin

can be an empowerment tool that helps kids navigate their journey through childhood.”

The first edition of Poofin charms, now available at poofin.com, features 20 unique images
of things kids love – from yummy ice cream cones, to graceful ballerinas, and even ferocious
sharks. The charms have looped tags so kids can easily attach their favorites to their backpack.
Kids can also create custom Poofin charms inside the online Poofin Factory.

Want to win a Poofin of you own?  You can be a trendsetter, and be the first in your town to have a Poofin  🙂
(And it’s OK- if you don’t win, you can still get one HERE– they are on sale 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.

 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

– Go to the Poofin site, and tell me your Favorite charm  🙂 

– Vote for your fav charms for the new batch HERE

-“Like” me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Sippy-Will-Travel/118293111555385
+2 entries

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

Follow me on Twitter ( or you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win #Toy Poofin Contest! http://t.co/ehjFBlP #newtoy @HaveSippy

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!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– comment on a non-giveaway post

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 May 22, 2011.

Time To Play- little update

So- while I am waiting for my photos to upload from Thursday’s Time To Play event in NYC, I thought I would let you all know (anyone who isn’t a Twitter Follower, that is!) what the Most Wanted for Spring were.
I was tweeting during the event, and after- but if you are not a follower or you don’t have Twitter- here is the list for you  🙂

http://www.timetoplaymag.com/mostwanted/2011/spring/

Little Man has his own ideas- & there were some I was surprised didn’t make it!  But all in all, I think it was a good list.  
Little Man is IN LOVE with the new Fisher Price Hero World Captain Cuffs Toy, among others.
Here is a little background on Captain Cuffs- 
“Fisher-Price Hero World Rescue Hero Figures – Captain Cuffs. The Rescue Heroes Basic Assortment will bring new excitement to the Fisher Price Hero World action figure line. In this assortment is Perry Trooper, Billy Blazes, and Captain Cuffs. Each figure features it’s own actionator, a “back pack” and accessory. Captain Cuffs comes with a shield, cuff, and cuff launcher. Turn Captain’s actionator to move his shielf for protection. If he needs to capture a criminal, just press a button on the launcher to fire the cuff.”

He has not put it down!  That, the tiny Caillou toy, or the Pokemon Pokeball, which is strange, because he has never watched the Pokemon show!  They both came EVERYWHERE with us Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and we were home all day today, so….
I have some great photos of some of the new toys, and I will post them and a full review of all the great new toys as soon as the upload is complete.  I will give you the skinny on the Most Wanted Toys from the Time To Play list as well as what else we saw! 
Have a Happy Monday!  LOL…

#childhungerendshere

 

Hunger is a reality in America, one that more children face every day. Food is their chance for a better tomorrow and a strong foundation for the future.

  • Research indicates that even mild under-nutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth impacts their behavior, school performance, and cognitive development.
  • 20.5 million children depend on free or reduced price school meals.

  • Children who are hungry may not perform well academically.
  • Children who are hungry may experience slower growth and inhibited brain development.
  • Children who are hungry may suffer from more stomach aches, headaches, colds, ear infections, and fatigue.
  • During the school year, about 20.5 million children depend on free or reduced-price school meals to help keep them from going hungry.

For every code that is put into the site from the #childhungerendshere campaign, one meal is provided to a child who needs it.  So guys- this is super easy.  Just go to your favorite store, buy the packages that have the Hunger Ends Here thumbtack on it- and enter the code.  You get food you like, and you get to help kids.  What’s easier then that?   But you have to enter the codes for it to count.
Happy Shopping!  

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias

My Little Pony Contest!

You asked for it, you got it!  And boy, are you getting it….Oh, wait- I forgot to tell you what we are talking about!  Girls toys, girls toys!  You wanted more Girl Stuff on here!  That’s tough for me, because Kamikaze doesn’t always love to participate, and Little is- well, he’s a boy!  But we figured it out.  Little would test the toys, but we would also bring them to the Pre-K, and let the girls bring them home for a day at a time to see what they thought, as well.  The girls have fun playing with new toys, and we get girl reactions!  Haha.  Look at that, I’m a genius!  (I don’t have 3 degrees for nothing!  LOL)
OK, we are starting with a personal favorite from my own childhood- My Little Pony!  They sure have changed since I was a kid.  They also still have a show to go along with the toys (you can watch it on the Hub Channel- check for local listings).  These are NOT myMy Little Ponies, for sure!  Can you tell I was a fan?!  LOL…

Ok, back to THIS toy!  It is called My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle’s Twinkling Balloon PlaysetLittle Man had fun playing with it, and so did the girls in the Pre-K.  It can be a challenge to get photos without showing faces- so bear with me!  🙂  The kids loved it- they loved the magic balloon, and that it lit up and played music.  The door falls off a lot- so be prepared to pop it back on often.  Or glue it shut, like I did.  Spike the Dragon came with the set, and he is just so cute.  Spike and Twilight Sparkle can look through the telescope and see all the wonders that can be seen in Ponyland. 
(Or maybe your house!  Haha.)

The kids all loved it!  Here is Little with some buddies at the Pre-K. 

You can buy this fun toy HERE.
You can also win this fun toy to add to your My Little Pony collection!

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.

– Join the My Little Pony Birthday Club!

– Follow My Little Pony on Twitter and Tweet about this contest
#Win My Little Pony Contest! http://t.co/6jS2PR6  @HaveSippy @MyLittlePony

– Like My Little Pony on Facebook

-“Like” me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Sippy-Will-Travel/118293111555385
+2 entries

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

Follow me on Twitter ( or you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win My Little Pony Contest! http://t.co/6jS2PR6  @HaveSippy @MyLittlePony 

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”- I just added it, LOL

– 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 non-giveaway post

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 May 19, 2011.

Calling all Thomas the Tank Engine Fans!!!

Cool news!  One of our All Time Favs, Thomas-  ThomasandFriends.com was nominated for a Webby–BEST website Family and Parenting.  We are now asking all Thomas fans to get behind him and votePlease note that you must vote before 4/28 to be counted.  So feel free to give him some love and vote for Thomas
You can also watch this cute video to remind you of how awesome Thomas is- like you would ever forget, LOL

 
Follow Thomas on his Twitter feed @TrueBlueEngine.  Thomas would really appreciate the love!  LOL 

Our Newest Schleich additions…..

We bought these for the kids this weekend- Kamikaze picked out the Frog and Little picked out the Penguin and Chicks. 
How cute! 

Don’t you just love them?  If I didn’t know Little would take them all, I would collect them myself, LOL.

miYim- soft and snuggley toys Review and Contest

I just found out about this really adorable company with a fun name- miYim!  Have you heard of them?  Let me introduce you!

miYim is a sweet, cute, organic plush cotton line of children’s toys.  (PS- they also have an organic dog toy line!)  As you know, “going ggreen” is not only great for the planet and the future (and our children!) but also for our bodies.   Did you know 1/3 of the world’s pesticides are used for cotton fields?  I didn’t!  These harmful toxins get into everything- the ground, water, animals, plants- and us.  By eliminating the use of any of these harmful chemicals, miYim produces a safer product for your child, and a better product for our planet.  I LOVE COMPANIES THAT CARE!!!!

A little more about this fun and Earth Friendly company-
“miYim aims to enrich the lives of today’s families by fostering the imaginations of children and celebrating the lifestyle of the eco-conscious home. miYim is more than just playthings – we aim to teach values and environmental responsibility, all while touching the hearts of children through imagination and whimsy. Starting with organic food, the organic movement has grown from its small beginnings into a large movement fuelled by people’s desire to lead a healthier lifestyle. At miYim we are taking this idea and applying it to our most precious resource of all, our children.”

We were sent an adorable plush lion to review.  
This cute little lion from the Jane Goodall collection at miYim found it’s way into Little Man’s bed, and into his “wild animals” themed room.   This particular collection caught my eye for two obvious reasons- One, that it consisted of wild animals.  Little Man loves animals, that child may grow up to be a vet or something of that nature.  He loves “wild animals”, “sea creatures”, and “puppies” above all other things. 

There they are, getting ready for bed!  (And how many other photos have you seen that cutie-patootie little Lion pop up in, right?  You’ve seen that face before!  LOL.  He’s been a bedtime pal since he got here!)
The quality (and cuteness!) of this organic toy is fantastic, and I already have my eye on one of the little guys from the Petites Collection for his birthday coming up.   (Can you tell that when we like stuff, we really do tend to buy from them?  That is why you see updates from me on the blog, Twitter, and Facebook.  I like you to know that I MEAN IT when I say that we liked something enough to buy it as a gift, or for my kids.)

Lion is not only adorable and well made, but by making a purchase from the Jane Goodall Collection, you are also supporting Dr. Goodall’s important work!


“People, animals and the environment are all connected. The Wild Animal Collection was created with this core value in mind. The thoughtful and realistic looking animals are colored with miYim’s PureWaterWashTM process using only plants and minerals, making these toys a safe alternative to toys made with environmentally damaging processes.
Part of the proceeds from each purchase will go towards the Jane Goodall Institute to help support the continuation of Dr. Goodall’s scientific work and her humanitarian vision.”
Truly a company that cares, with morals and that gives back, to boot!  
When you couple that with a fabulous bunch of toys that are priced right (the Jane Goodall Collection are priced at $24.99, and these are well made, sturdy toys, well worth it!)  and not overpriced- how can you go wrong?
Would you like to win a Lion of your own?  Yeah you would!  LOL
Then you can start your own collection!
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.

– What is another collection you like or name of a miYim toy you like for your child? 

-“Like” me on Facebook
+2 entries

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

Follow me on Twitter ( or you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win a miYim #organic #toy!  miYim- soft and snuggley toys http://t.co/ezE7vmL #green #kids @HaveSippy

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”- I just added it, LOL

– 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 non-giveaway post

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 May 17, 2011.

Beautiful Blue Eyes

I love this book.  It is just the sweetest thing, it will really melt you.  The prose is beautiful, and flows melodically.  It is a favorite of mine to read to Little at bedtime.  Marianne Richmond just says the most insightful and thoughtful things, that maybe we don’t think to say a lot, or often enough.   The author, who also wrote If I Could Keep You Little, began writing in an interesting way- she was diagnosed with a brain tumor (thankfully benign), the cause of numerous epileptic seizures through her childhood. During her five-week recovery period, Marianne created hand-painted thank you cards for her many well-wishers. With Jim’s, her new boyfriend, and friend’s encouragement, she decided to launch her own greeting card business, Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc.  As distribution for her cards increased, she decided to try her hand at writing a book, honoring her biggest fan, her now-husband Jim, with The Gift of an Angel.

Maybe it is because of this that she has such a gift with words, and that the words she chooses to say, in the way that they are used, are so amazing.  I have to say that I was touched as a mother.  This beautiful book would be perfect for your blue-eyed child, as a reminder that you love and adore them- even when we are too tired to find the right words to tell your little one.  We may not always know the right words to say to our babies- what can we do.  Long days, so much to do- sometimes, we are just not able to find the right words.  This is why I am grateful when I find something as lovely and well-written as Beautiful Blue Eyes.  Thank you, Ms. Richmond, for writing down the words that I want to say when I can’t remember how to say them. 
Thank you for this beautiful book.
Mommies of Blue-Eyed babies- this one is a keeper.  But if your baby is brown eyed- it’s ok, she already wrote one for them  🙂  (I have not read that one!)   There are plans for a Green-Eyed book as well. 
You can purchase the book, and other books by Marianne Richmond here. 
Happy Reading, and have a sweet, snuggely story time!  🙂

Disclosure- we received a copy of this book to review- all opinions are my own  🙂