Pocoyo for Easter!

April 14, 2011 by 2 Comments

 IT’S A FUN, SIMPLE, AND FREE WAY TO CELEBRATE EASTER!
PLAY “POCOYO’S 2011 EASTER EGG HUNT” TO EARN
POINTS AT POCOYOWORLD.COM
 
PLUS OTHER FREE EASTER ACTIVITIES
Throughout April 2011, visit www.pocoyoworld.com to register and play “Pocoyo’s Easter Egg Hunt” for FREE. Colorful Easter Eggs are hidden throughout the site. Locate them all and collect points to participate in a variety of games and activities on the site.
Also available online are additional FREE Easter activities, including Cut Out and Play Easter Eggs; and Pocoyo’s Easter Coloring Sheets (http://www.pocoyo.com/Pocoyo_Easter.html).
Pocoyoworld.com has been awarded a Four Star Review by Common Sense Media (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/pocoyo-world) a non-profit organization which has become the nation’s leading organization of its kind, helping millions of parents, educators, and young people make better decisions about the media and entertainment in their lives.
Access to Pocoyo World is completely free of charge. After a simple registration process you will be able to enjoy lots of content in a safe environment. Just by registering you will have access to all Pocoyo World areas, games, activities, and shops, and you will also be able to exchange gifts with your friends.
Users who belong to Pocoyo World’s Premium Club will be able to access lots more content and areas, and get exclusive virtual objects (costumes, vehicles, interactive objects, etc.). In addition, they will receive a monthly report monitoring their activity on Pocoyo World and have the chance to take part in exclusive events and promotions. To celebrate Easter, we will provide you with a code to activate a FREE 30-day membership to review Pocoyoworld. We will also provide a FREE 14-day trial code to one of your followers. Please let us know if you would like to participate.
Following the adventures of Pocoyo, the animated series brings children into the bright world of this inquisitive and fun-loving boy and his animal friends, Elly (the elephant), Pato (the duck) and Loula (the dog).   The multi-award winning series is about curiosity and imagination, tolerance and respect, love and laughter. Packed with color, music and vibrant visual images, the series is both educational and entertaining; Pocoyo is about learning through laughter. This international smash hit series has been broadcast in over 120 countries worldwide.

Watch Pocoyo in the U.S. every day on Nick Jr. at 4:25 pm Eastern; on Univision’s Planeta U on Saturday mornings at 8:30 am Eastern; and on PBS stations and Discovery Familia (check local listings).

Pocoyo toys are available at Toys”R”Us stores nationwide, and at www.toysrus.com and www.amazon.com. The toys, targeting preschool children ages 18 months through three years, capture the vibrant and exuberant world of Pocoyo and his animal friends, encouraging them to “learn through laughter.” Additionally, two DVD’s from NCircle Entertainment have been recently released.  “Super Pocoyo” on January 11, 2011 and “Meet Pocoyo” in 2010.

ABOUT POCOYOWORLD
What is Pocoyo World?
An online environment where you can create your own virtual “me” and enjoy games and adventures alongside your favorite characters, forming part of a virtual community where you can make friends and share activities.
Filed Under: education, holidays, kids

Heirloom Wooden Toys- and coupons

April 14, 2011 by 2 Comments

Educational toys – sounds boring, doesn’t it?  Not when they’re designed right and built to last!  Take a look at these beautiful toys created to build vocabulary, motor skills, cognitive abilities and communication: 

This month’s coupon will save you $15 off an order of $100 or more!  Use Apr2011 at checkout.  Good through April 30. 

3-D Feel & Find by Guidecraft3-D Feel and Find  
Guidecraft’s 3-D Feel & Find is a bestseller for us – there are so many ways to play for almost any age level.  Hide the shapes in the bag, then challenge your kids to reach in and find a shape to fit a puzzle board just by touch.  Younger kids can match shapes to the puzzle boards out in the open.  One of our customers has made a video blog of this game so you can see it in action! 

Balance Bike by Smart GearThe Latest in Bike Technology 
   
Notice anything different about this bike?  No pedals!  These sturdy wooden Balance Bikes let kids learn how to balance for real, without any training wheels at all!  They glide and just put their feet down until they get the hang of it.  A great way to develop coordination, gross motor skills, self-confidence and balance.  Ages 2 & up. 

Guidecraft's Fraction Action Board available at Heirloom Wooden ToysNew Eco-Friendly Manipulative Toys from Guidecraft 
This new line of manipulative toys is made from hardwood and colored using low-VOC aniline dyes instead of paint.  This process allows the grain and texture of the wood to show through while still providing the visual interest of color!  Check out the Fraction Action Board (at left),  Sun Sorter and Fraction Pairs for some other educational ideas. 
Get ready for summer!  We have a great selection of playhouses, teepees, games and building kits to help you fill those long summer days with fun and imagination. 
 
Remember to plan for some lazy days with not too much going on – give your children (and yourself) the gift of having absolutely nothing to do! 
Shopping’s Always Easy

Free ground shipping on all orders over $99. (All other orders only $5.)  
Give us a call if you have questions or comments, we love to hear from our customers!  And follow us on Facebook or Twitter to catch our exclusive coupons and deals!

 
What could be a better gift than one that makes every day easier and more fun to be a mom?  Save 10% on Kitchen Helpers and Learning Towers through  5/15 with code KHLT2011 and 10% off any teepee through 4/30!     
 
 
 
Filed Under: education, kids

Green Sprouts- Great Feeding Options for your kiddos! CONTEST!

April 11, 2011 by 178 Comments

Do you LOVE natural products?  I know I do.  I really try as hard as I can to stay all natural if at all possible.  With food containers- this can be tricky.  I use a lot of glass.  I don’t want my Little Man to deal with the side affects of BPA or other chemicals later in life!  (Nor do I, LOL)  However- there is a new option.  Green Sprouts, available from iplay!  It is made from plants– and while not microwave or dishwasher safe (Well, it is dishwasher safe, top shelf only, for up to 10 washes- so…), it is really great to have a NON-Glass option for food-to-go.  It’s easier and lighter, that’s for sure!  Plus, if it drops- it’s fine.  It is just better to hand wash them, because they will last longer that way.  They have flatware, cups, snack cups, and bowl/plate sets.  
You can use the plates as tops to the bowls- and that is how we have been using them pretty much every time.  I also love that there is three sections in the bowl- especially for fruit.  In the mornings, we bring a lot of fruit for Little Man to have with breakfast, and this is my new favorite container.

New! Petroleum free! Made from plants! Forks & Spoons that are right-sized for toddlers.  Twist-on spouts are easy to drink out of and interchangeable with Snack Cups  Deep, divided bowl has 3 sections and plate doubles as a travel lid. Multi-use disposable items are dishwasher safe, top rack only up to 10 washings; hand wash for longer life.

Since 1982, i play., Inc. has been developing bibs and feeding accessories to meet the needs of babies as they grow and develop through infancy.

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.


– “Like” iplay on Facebook

– Follow iplay on Twitter  and tweet about this contest!   
#Win Green Sprouts- Great Feeding Options for your kidd… http://t.co/KHhyqpd @HaveSippy  @iplayinc


+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
#Win Green Sprouts- Great Feeding Options for your kidd… http://t.co/KHhyqpd @HaveSippy  @iplayinc

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– 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 yours 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 And Canadian shipping addresses only.  Limited to US + Canadian residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends April 26,  2011.  

Filed Under: family, food, giveaway, kids, natural, review

Win an Easter Basket from National Geographic Kids!

April 11, 2011 by 205 Comments

It’s almost Easter- and LUCKY YOU, I have a great Easter basket for one of you, featuring the cutest book from National Geographic Children’s Books!
Baby Animal Pop! has adorable, full size (yep- true-to-life-size) pop out pages filled with the cutest little babies.  I can’t wait to bring this to the Pre-K and show all the kids  🙂   It just got here today, and I wanted to post about it right away since Easter is just so close!  Sorry I don’t have any pictures for you- don’t worry, I will post some later!  🙂
On a side note- I love National Geographic, and we love to read their books and magazines. I am so happy to be able to offer one of you a book from this well respected, educational (and fun!) publisher- I hope you all enter!  

 
Nothing says Spring like baby animals and National Geographic Children’s Books’ new Baby Animal Pop! is — literally — BURSTING with LIFE-SIZE pop-outs of the cutest, cuddly babes on the farm.

In this show-stopper of a picture book a baby bunny, a sweet lamb, a wobbly pony, a family of piglets and a line of baby ducks all magically unfold with at the turn of the page to reveal their actual size.  This book is sure to dazzle, but it is educational as well. Additional pages with special photos and captions highlight awesome animal features and supplemental spreads include “The First Year of Life,” which gives a glimpse of a baby’s animal development.

Baby Animal Pop! is the perfect addition to any child’s Easter basket this spring and will last far longer than the candy!  I am pleased to be able to offer you a Baby Animal Pop! Easter Basket to give away on your site (US only please).  The give away contains a copy of Baby Animal Pop!, an Easter container, an adorable stuffed bunny holding HER baby, Easter eggs and, of course, jelly beans!

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.

– “Like” National Geographic Kids on Facebook


– Follow National Geographic Kids on Twitter @NGKids
and tweet about this contest!   
#Win an Easter Basket from National Geographic Kids… http://t.co/ZTNBGkC @HaveSippy @NGKids  FLASH GIVEAWAY!!!

+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
#Win an Easter Basket from National Geographic Kids… http://t.co/ZTNBGkC @HaveSippy @NGKids  FLASH GIVEAWAY!!!

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– 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 yours 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 And Canadian shipping addresses only.  Limited to US + Canadian residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends April 14,  2011.  

Filed Under: giveaway, holidays, kids

Schleich- Review and Contest (LOVE these toys!)

April 10, 2011 by 151 Comments

Here come the wild animals!  Watch out! 
No, for once, I am not talking about my kids, LOL.  I am talking about Schleich‘s new Wild Animals!  Schleich, makers of the super-high-quality line of German-made toys, have just come out with some fabulous new products.  I had the pleasure of seeing their products at NY Toy Fair, and had to resist the urge to sit and play with them!  (They really took their time with the set-ups for these, I really did want to sit and play, haha….sometimes you can take the girl out of the Pre-K, but you can’t take the Pre-K out of the girl!) 

I understand why so many people collect them.  We bought two of the Schleich line for Little Man previously, this horse and also a cow, which was “borrowed” by a friend, but not returned so far, haha.  He has had them for over a year, and as you can tell from the horse- there are no signs of wear and tear.  They were kept in his “to go” bag, and used at restaurants, parties, long car rides, etc.

Now we have some new ones- and they even match his new room decor!  I have heard these described as “collectibles” and while I do think they are great collections- they can sure handle play!  They are built German tough.   They are also so, so detailed (be prepared for some questions about the boy animals!  LOL) that they seem to have expressions and thoughts going on, don’t you think?  Really life-like.  They have amazing correctness and attention to detail in their bodies, muscle tone, size, anatomy, everything! 
We stopped home on the way out one day- and guess what was waiting there!  We received- Buffalo Calf, Buffalo, Warthog Boar, Warthog piglet, Warthog sow, Lion, and Lion cub playing.  Of course, we had to take a few with us.  I gave him only the Lion and Lion Cub Playing to bring that day, because I thought they would be his favorites.  But Little Man has really surprised me, and has insisted on taking the Warthog Family just about everywhere.  (By the way, thank goodness his car seat tray table has those little bags on the sides, because that is where the Warthogs stay while we are at school, LOL….don’t want them to get lost bringing them in every day!  They are in one side of the tray, Cooper is on the other!) 
Go figure.
(Literally!)

The first day, right after opening them up
Out and about with the lions!

My Little Man really likes his new Schleich toys, and I really like the quality and durability that they have.  Yay for everyone is happy!  We have bought this brand before, and will buy again.  Really, isn’t that when you know it’s a winner?  
Speaking of winners- one lucky winner from Have Sippy Will Travel will receive this exact set of toys to add to their Schleich collection.  Don’t have one yet?  Perfect time to start one! 
Want it to be you?  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 your favorite Schleich toy, other then those named above?  

+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
#Win Schleich- Review and Contest (LOVE these toys!) http://t.co/ideU5S0 @HaveSippy

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– 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 yours 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 And Canadian shipping addresses only.  Limited to US + Canadian residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends April 26,  2011.  

Filed Under: giveaway, kids, review

Whrll-ing over to you….From Micky’s Magic Show

April 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

More check-ins at Madison Square Garden
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Filed Under: family, kids

Life According to the Pre-K

April 10, 2011 by 2 Comments

I posted recently on a group I am on about some conversation at the Pre-K, and a few other members messaged me that I should post it.  So, I thought I would. I hope you enjoy a few of my “conversations” (and see why I need the blog- I really need to chat with grown-ups sometimes, LOL”)

Ahem-  
Tyler- DON’T sit on your friends. 
Maddy, is that really a good place to put a rock? 
No, no, we put ONLY our OWN hands in our sleeves.  Is that your hand?  No?  Get it out. 
Milk is not for hair.  Milk is to drink.  NO, milk is to drink. 
Puppies are great, yes- but no puppies in the potty, you got him stuck in there last week, remember?  Was that nice?  No. 
Juice is for drinking, not for wearing. 
This is not a toilet. 
Tyler- WE DO NOT SIT ON OUR FRIENDS!!!!!

Just a few words of wisdom.  The next time your job is boring you- just tell someone one of these helpful little nuggets, and watch their faces turn.  
Welcome to the mommy-hood, right?  (Or in my case, the mommy-hood meets world of Pre-School.)
Did we ever think we would be saying these things????

Filed Under: kids

Big Event Fundraising

April 9, 2011 by 7 Comments

OK- do you all HATE the chap garbage that is normally associated with fund-raising?  Overpriced garbage- sorry, but I call it like I see it.  I’d rather just give a donation then have to get a $10 roll of cheap-o wrapping paper, thanks.  AND IT NEVER, EVER ENDS…..Lol, ah- to be a parent!
Of course- the kids also get prizes- WHOOP-e-de-do!  MORE cheap garbage, that we in fact pay for with our payment of overpriced junk, LOL.  And only the top kids get even those tacky prizes.  To me- either skip the prizes for the kids all together, thus letting the kids participate in something that they benefit from anyway (that is why they are fundraising, right?) but without a silly personal prize, or give them all a chance to win.  That’s just me.  They don’t all have access to 300 family members with disposable income for $38 cookie cutters. 
(Can you tell I really dislike traditional fundraising catalogs?  And yep- bad me, I do not participate in them.  OOOOHHH, going to “mommy jail!”   I’ll do all the bake sales, can drives, and coupon book sales that you want- DO NOT hand me a catalog of junk to sell to my friends and relatives.  I want to continue to have friends and I don’t want to be disowned, thanks!  LOL)

OK- I will get back to the point!  There is a better way.  Big Event Fundraising. 
With other fundraisers, there are two ways to raise money, donations and selling various items.  IE- cookies, wrapping paper, etc.  As the children (and of course the parents/grand parents/ uncles/ aunts) sell more products, the projects generate more revenue and usually the child gets a bigger prize.  These prizes usually don’t add up to much more then pencil sets, erasers or race car sets.  Not that the prize should be the main point, of course.  It would be nice if the kids could do this without a personal gain only in mind, since the fundraisers are already for them!  Anyway- most times these prizes come months later and are forgotten in a drawer or lost in a desk within days.  And break.  They always break. 
Big Event Fund raising is different, the innovative idea behind their fund raising program is this: why give kids prizes they don’t really want when you can give them memories?  In all honesty, is your son/daughter going to remember seeing a reptile exhibit IN THEIR GYMNASIUM or winning a pencil case?  Or a Super Splash party?

I know I would like to see a giant iguana up close, rather then having a millionth pencil, but hey that’s just me.  These prizes are also attainable.  All the child has to do is sell between 5 and 8 items in order to attend the show chosen by the kids/staff.  I really like this idea, it makes kids want to be involved in activities, teaches them about interaction with people, and also teaches them about a specific topic during the actual activity.  Yes, these activities are actually educational.  WOAH- you mean things that actually make sense for a school environment?  And require cooperation?  And won’t clutter my house?  Or make my kids screech when a cheap toy breaks?  I am SO down.  It’s really a win-win situation.  (Oh yeah, and they also state that they offer higher quality merchandise.)  I just wish they did this when I was in school. 😉

Just an FYI- this is a sponsored post for Big Events Fundraising.  But that doesn’t mean I don’t mean EVERY work I said!
🙂 

Filed Under: kids