18″ Laura Ingalls Doll Review + Giveaway

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If you grew up in the 70’s or 80’s – there is a good chance you were a huge fan of the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series. Or maybe you were a bigger fan of the book series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Either way – the show and the books were and still are loved by so many generations.

Thanks to the cozy, warm, and affectionate portrayal of the Ingalls family across all kinds of media platforms around the world, many people think of Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura, Carrie, Grace, Almanzo, and even Jack the bulldog as part of their family.

We were lucky to have had the opportunity to review this beautiful – and very lifelike 18” Laura Ingalls Wilder Doll from The Queens Treasures collection.  The doll itself came in a beautiful box that could be used to store it in if someone wanted to save it as a collector’s item. But, if you are like us, and wanted to pull her out to love and cuddle her – you will love how soft she is! The doll also came with a patchwork quilt, pillow, a small doll and an informational brochure.

The Queens Treasures did an incredible job of capturing Laura’s spirit in this doll. If you want an even bigger pioneer experience, they also have some really fun accessories that go with the doll too! You can purchase Jack the dog, a covered wagon, horses, dishware and so much more.

Whether you are using the books for educational purposes or just reliving a childhood favorite – children and adults alike can let their childhood imagination run wild with this doll and accessories.

The Laura Ingalls 18″ doll is available online at TheQueensTreasures.com and Target.com for $99.99. A full line of accessories is available at http://www.thequeenstreasures.com/new-products/little-house-on-the-prairie-18-doll-line.html

Visit the official Little House on the Prairie website for educational resources, information about the real Ingalls family, historical articles, as well as fun crafts, recipes and more.

 

Giveaway:

One lucky reader in the US will win a Little House on the Prairie® The Queen’s Treasures® Prize Pack, just in time for the holiday season.

Prize Pack includes:

  • One Laura Ingalls Doll by The Queen’s Treasures. Retail value $99.99
  • One Little House Wagon, one Little House Pony, and one Little House Pony w/Saddle by The Queen’s Treasures. Retail value $279.97
  • Jack the Brindle Bull Dog and Shaker Boxes, Cooking Set, Dishes Set, and Kitchen Tool Set. Retail value $195.95
  • Doll Clothing and Accessories by The Queen’s Treasures including: Child’s Apron & Cap, Prairie Dress Set, Little House Night Gown, and Little House Quilt & Basket. Retail value $89.96
  • One Complete Collection DVD Set of the original Little House on the Prairie television series. Retail Value $120
  • One DVD of the Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder documentary. Retail Value $19.95

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The 5 Most Beautiful Natural Attractions in Canada

Canada is known for many things, but one of the reasons why many people decide to plan a visit is to take in the country’s natural beauty. Canada is renowned for its multitude of National Parks, each one featuring unique and different natural wonders to take in. For the outdoorsy type, one of Canada’s parks or popular tourist spots is perfect and each of them provides opportunities to indulge in nature and get plenty of fresh air while enjoying the sights. Here are 5 of the most beautiful locations in Canada for the first time or well seasoned traveler.

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Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls are located in Ontario, directly across the border from the United States. They are a part of the large, flowing Niagara River that makes up a 36 mile length along the area. The falls are known for their pretty scenery as well as their high power flowing strength, which is used for hydro power. There are three waterfalls that make up the Falls are named Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Niagara Falls hotel options are plentiful, as the Falls are an extremely popular tourist destination for travelers worldwide.

The Niagara Falls region has tons of entertainment options, from clubs, pubs and shopping malls all the way up to amusement parks and museums. It is also known for its vibrant nightlife with thousands of visitors from the greater Ontario area and Northern United States filing the streets. The region offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and urban charm which makes it a perfect destination for the whole family.

Gros Morne National Park

Located on the coast of Newfoundland, Gros Morne National Park offers fantastic views of nature and exciting activities for hikers and outdoorsmen. The park is located in the cold region of the country, and is the second largest park in Atlantic Canada. Summer and spring are the best times are the year to visit due to there being more options of activities when the weather is warmer. During the warmer months, hiking, fishing, boating, and more are available to Park visitors. If you are lucky, you might even be able to catch a glimpse of some of the protected wildlife that roams Canada’s parks.

The Rocky Mountain National Parks

The Rocky Mountain Parks are located in the Canadian Rockies. They consist of four national parks and a handful of other nature parks, each one full of visual splendor for visitors to discover. The area is very diverse, with almost every park exhibiting different characteristics. Hiking, fishing, and other mountainous activities are very popular in this area with locals and tourists alike. The Rocky Mountain National Parks span a large enough space that any number of sports and natural attractions are available to those who wish to see them.

Historic Lunenburg

Historic Lunenburg was discovered and settled in 1753 by the founding fathers. The town itself is full of cultural and historical sites, as well as beautiful natural marvels. Located in Nova Scotia, Lunenburg was a site of the French and Indian War that occurred in the mid 1700’s. Historical landmarks such as battle sites and safe houses are easy to find in this old town rich with the cultural and natural beauty that visitors have come to expect from Canada. Today, Lunenburg is a huge fishing area, where experts and amateurs alike can come partake in the many fish and lakes available. It is known for its large, old shipyards during the 1920’s, many remains of which can be seen today.

Lake Louise

Lake Louise, named after the daughter of Queen Victoria, is located in Alberta, Canada, in the mountains. Lake Louise is well known and picturesque due to the water’s bright emerald coloring, which it gets from the water run off from melted glaciers. The lake sits on a ski resort, which is a very popular pastime during the winter months. During the other half of the year, hiking and watersports abound on and off the lake. Canoeing and kayaking are very big in this area due to the length and speed of the water.

These are only a few of the many natural wonders Canada has to offer. Scenic views are plentiful throughout the entire country and span through all regions and seasons. Winter activities are easy to find in the colder regions with fresh snow and friendly ski lodges at almost every turn. So if you want a change of the ordinary, with a down-home charm, why don’t you head up north and see what this beautiful country has to offer.

Pele: Soccer Legend

soccer games

Want a more wholesome game for your kids to enjoy? Pelé: Soccer Legend is a new, free-to-play sports game on Poki. It’s got 3D graphics that look good on every computer—even on budget laptops. The gameplay is fun, and you only need to press one button to play. What’s not to love? From what I’ve experienced, Pelé: Soccer Legend is nothing short of amazing.

The Athletic Premise
Pelé is a hero to millions of soccer fans. Even those who didn’t watch him in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s know of his greatness. In Pelé: Soccer Legend, your kids can experience the early days of Pelé’s career. That’s because this game actually takes place on the streets of Brazil! Instead of competing on a typical soccer pitch, players get to score goals in back-alley “arenas.” This is a fresh way of reinventing the soccer genre, because it looks different than every other game. And it feels quite different, too. When kicking towards the goal, you can bounce the ball off of anything nearby! It’s really fun to aim at the wall and try to ricochet the soccer ball into the goal. There’s also a car behind the net, which you can aim at for funny surprises.

So Many Kicks
Pelé was an innovative athlete. He didn’t just kick the ball like everyone else. In Pelé: Soccer Legend, your children can learn all of Pelé’s memorable moves, like the mind-blowing bicycle kick. At certain points during each level, players will have the opportunity to try a new type of shot. There are more than a few ways to kick the ball towards the goal. At the end of the round, you’ll be asked to complete a bonus shot. This challenge is extra fun and worth extra points!

Another really cool feature of Pelé: Soccer Legend is the star himself, Pelé. During the game, the Brazilian legend will give you tips on how to score! His picture will appear on the screen with special advice about kicking the ball, outplaying defenders, and using bonuses. For young fans, this can be really inspirational.

Easy to Hard
Learning the basics of how to score is simple: swipe to kick. But, as you might expect, Pelé: Soccer Legend has some very hard levels that you can play here. In the beginning, inexperienced players might score easily during their first few attempts. That’s because the first couple of rounds are designed to teach you how to play. After getting a grasp of the different kicks, players will encounter entire teams of defenders. That’s when things get tough. Thankfully, there are a bunch of power-ups that make winning much more attainable. Older players might not need the power-ups, but they help a great deal.
A Fantastic Goal
Pelé: Soccer Legend is more than just a sports game. It’s designed like some of the most successful mobile games, with addictive levels, unlockable items, and fun surprises. Even if your kids aren’t fans of Pelé just yet, they’re destined to enjoy the action in Pelé: Soccer Legend.

Visiting Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a relatively new hot spot for international travel. It’s a great place to visit, both because of its rich culture and arts scene but also because of its amazing biodiversity.  There are over 500 reef building coral species in the area.  This is about 7 times as much coral as there is in the Caribbean.  You can  also get some great Bali hotel deals. The Alila Seminyak is a great spot to stay in while you visit.

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Bali has lush landscapes made up of hills, mountains, and rugged coastlines with sandy beaches and gorgeous rice terraces.  There are also barren volcanic hillsides all making this a great vacation spot for anyone looking for a new place to go.  From surfing and diving to cultural, historical, and archaeologic attractions.  There are also tons of accommodations of all types, one such hotel is the best western kuta beach.  The Best Western is located in South Bali which is the most popular part of the island.  There are some memorable hot spots including Kuta Beach, which has a sunset that should not be missed and is a wonderfully romantic beach.  As well as Tenah Lot Temple, which is a temple which was built in the 15th century by Hindu priest Nirartha.  The temple sits just off shore on an outcropping of stones and is a sight to behold.  It is only accessible via a small foot path which is a sight to see at sunset as well.

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On the way to the temple there are also many small ships set up to buy a wealth of souvenirs with something for everyone back home.  There are many wonderful places to visit in Bali from gorgeous scenic beaches to wonderful cultural temples it is easy to see why Bali is a global hot spot to visit on vacation whether you are a globe trotting upper crust individual or a student finding their way as well as everyone in between.  Bali was the host of the 2011 ASEAN Summit, 2013 APEC and Miss World 2013. Bali also contains the Subak Irrigation System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a not a short flight, so make sure you prepare the kids for a long plane ride.

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5 Party Dessert Ideas for Kids

Kids simply love parties. For once, they get to be among their little colleagues and friends, eat some delicious desserts, bust some very creative dance moves and play games all day long. Secondly, there is no homework involved and adults seem to be more indulgent on these occasions. What’s more, parents don’t need to do much to entertain the kids. Their imagination will go crazy, and lots of good memories will come up. But there’s one thing they should take care of, and that is the dessert. If the sweet tooth isn’t satisfied, the mood will suddenly change into a stormy cloud (with big cue eye, though!). So, stay tuned for 5 party dessert ideas that will turn your kids’ birthday party into an unforgettable experience.

Toffee Apples

  1. No cookie can dethrone the mighty cake, especially now that the Walmart average cake prices are so low. However, the expectations of the big moment when the cake makes its entrance can be spiced up with smaller desserts. Food on a stick has always been a source of excitement for kids of all ages. It’s like an apple is trying to run away incognito dressed in a delicious lollypop.Ingredients:
    • 12 popsicle sticks;
    • 3 cups caster sugar;
    • 12 small apples.

    Heat the sugar to a boil in a heavy-based saucepan with one and a half cups of water. Stir the composition until the sugar dissolves. This can take up to 7 minutes. If you want your toffee to be red, this is the moment to add 5 drops of food coloring.

    You shouldn’t allow water to come to a boil until the second step when you can increase the heat from low to a medium-high. Let it cook for 35 to 45 minutes to let the composition reach the hard crack stage. You can check if the toffee is in the ideal state by adding one hot tablespoon in a glass of ice-cold water. If the toffee immediately becomes hard, it means that it is ready. To avoid crystallization, you can brush the sides of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water.

    Insert the popsicle sticks into the apples and then lay them on a baking tray. Let the composition cool off for 30 seconds, and then dip the apples into toffee. You should allow them at least 20 minutes to mix up and become delicious Toffee Apples.

    Decoration Contest

parties

There are many ways to bring party dessert ideas to life. However, nothing compares to the joy of the little ones when they find out they have green light to create their own candy. You can simply improvise a cute little bakery table where everyone receives several plain muffins or simple cake pops.

Ingredients for frosting:

  • 1 cup cream cheese;

  • 1 ½ sticks unsalted butter;

  • ½ tablespoon vanilla extract;

  • 2 ½ cups sugar.

Mix the cream cheese and butter until you get a smooth texture. Add the vanilla extract and mix again until the composition is uniform with the use of a mixer. Afterward, add 1 cup of sugar at a time and start mixing again at a low speed. Increase the speed to receive the rest of the sugar. Now you’ve finished the frosting! Upgrade the bakery laboratory with M&M candy, nonpareils, sanding or crystal sugar, and you ready for the beauty cupcake contest.

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

It’s a classic dessert that will never cease to delight generation after generation that can go extremely well with a fun cartoon movie.

Ingredients:

  • ½ rice flour;

  • ½ plain flour;

  • ¼ tablespoon baking powder;

  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder;

  • 1 ¼ cups caster sugar;

  • 2 lightly beaten eggs;

  • 150g melted butter.

Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a 4 cm deep pan covered with baking paper. Sift the flours, cocoa, and baking powder in a large bowl and mix them together with the cups of sugar. Add in the center of the composition the eggs and butter and stir them with a spoon until you get a smooth texture.

Spread the composition into the pan and bake it for 20 to 25 minutes. You can test if the dessert is ready with a skewer. If it comes out of the brownie full of crumbs, then the cake is ready. Remove it from the pan and cut it into squares.

Magic Wands

Any kid loves seeing magic all around. And a party can become a magical event with the right tools. In this case, it is about yummy edible magic wands.

Ingredients:

  • 125g butter;
  • ½ cup caster sugar;
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract;
  • 1 egg;
  • 1 ¼ cups plain flour;
  • 375 g melted milk chocolate melts;
  • 375 g melted white chocolate melts;
  • Yellow sprinkles;
  • Hundreds and thousands sprinkles.

Preheat the oven to 180°C and get three baking trays ready with baking paper. Start mixing butter, sugar, and vanilla extract together with a mixer until you obtain a pale and creamy texture. Add the egg and mix until incorporated. Add the flour and mix until incorporated.

The next step would be to take three teaspoons of the dough at a time and roll them on a floured surface while keeping them at 20 cm long. Repeat until you fill all three trays. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes. Dip half roll into milk chocolate and decorate it with yellow sprinkles. Do the same with the second half. You can use the second combination of white chocolate with hundreds and thousands for half the wands.

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Berry Frenzy Ice Cream

In the past, kids got to choose only between two flavors of ice cream. Now, you can make your own ice cream as red as strawberries or as purple as blackberries. The party will love some refreshing delights to keep them active for many hours of games, especially in summer time.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups blackberries;
  • 3 cups strawberries;
  • 2 cups blueberries;
  • 2 cups raspberries;
  • 4 cups vanilla ice cream.

Mix all the berries together with 1 cup ice cream in a blender. Strain the resulted smooth composition and press it to extract as much liquid as possible. Eliminate the solid pieces. The final step is getting the puree in the blender one more time with the remaining cups of vanilla ice cream. Cast the composition into cute molds if you have at hand, and let it freeze for four hours.

These 5 party dessert ideas will be real treats for the little ones. You can also involve your kids in the cooking process to get them in an exciting mood before the big event. Enjoy!

Looking For An Escape? How To Find The Perfect Holiday Destination

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We all need a holiday from time to time. There’s nothing quite like forgetting the stresses of life and heading someplace new. You already know how to pack lightly for your trip, but now you need to decide where to go. The options seem endless, and it can be hard to choose. After all, you’re not fussy about where you go; you just know you want to get away. Anywhere with the sunshine and a crisp white beach will do! The reality of holiday shopping isn’t that simple, though, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Knowing what type of holiday you’re after can help narrow down the selection.

A ROMANTIC TRIP

Are you planning to jet off for a romantic week with your partner? There are many holiday destinations that are perfect for that loving vibe. For this, you’ll want something more secluded than your standard beach holiday. Think uninterrupted romance. Exclusivity is the key here. You want the chance to lay on that beach in your bikini without any risk of being seen. You’ll be so secluded you could take it off if you wanted. Your lover definitely wouldn’t mind.

A TRIP WITH THE BESTIE

If there’s no man to worry about, a trip with your bestie is a perfect choice. Socialisation is probably the aim here; none of that exclusivity for you two. Think sun, bars, and male potential! If that doesn’t suit your fancy, you could run off on a road trip. Road trips are an excellent way to see a lot of different places. You’re sure to drive past a few beaches too, so don’t worry about missing out! The good thing about a road trip is that you’re free to do what you like; this could be the chance for a perfect, personalized trip for your bestie and you.

A SOLO TRIP

If complete escape is what you’re after, why not take a trip alone? You might be getting away after a bad break up, or just taking some time for yourself. Jetting off solo is an amazingly freeing experience. Think of the possibilities. With no one to hold you back, you can do everything you want to. You can dine alone in the moonlight, dance on the beach, and see all the sights you fancy. You never know, you might even make some amazing friends on your journey. People are often drawn to the lonesome traveler.

A FAMILY TRIP

If all of the above sound fantastic but you have a family to think of, don’t fear. You needn’t miss out. Family Holidays can be some of the best! Taking the family along can lead to some fantastic memories. Whether you want to sit by the pool or go out and see the sights, there are plenty of options. You could turn the trip into an educational one for the kids, or just let them go wild for a while. And if you want some time away from them, most hotels have holiday groups too!

Attention and Learning Issues Need to #BeUnderstood

Attention and Learning Issues Need to #BeUnderstood

Raising a child with learning and attention issues is a journey. And it’s one that’s full of ups and downs, successes and challenges, questions and decisions. It can be very hard on parents and equally as hard on children – especially because they are the ones who are struggling to be understood. But what if your child is struggling and you do not even realize it IS a learning or attention issue?

In the U.S., 1 in 5 children struggles with brain-based learning and attention issues that affect reading, writing, math, focus and organization. These issues are a lot more common than most people think, and while learning and attention issues may not be as visible as other health issues, they’re just as real. Unfortunately, many kids go undiagnosed because parents to think that their children are just being lazy, need to work harder, or that they are in a phase that they will grow out of.

Understood.org has launched the new #BeUnderstood campaign to generate awareness about learning and attention issues and encourage people who are seeing or experiencing signs of learning and attention issues to visit Understood.org, learn about these issues, and take that crucial first step in getting their kids the help they need to thrive in school, at home and in life.

Attention and Learning Issues Need to #BeUnderstood

If you are sitting there reading this, stressed out and feeling alone, don’t be. You are definitely not alone. Understood is an organization that was created by a coalition of 15 nonprofits, and its content and tools were informed by a survey of more than 2,200 parents of children with learning and attention issues. Understood offers free daily access to experts through chats and webinars, a safe online community that encourages parents to reach out to and learn from each other and a suite of specially designed, first-of-their-kind tools.

Only 68% of students with learning issues graduate with a regular high school diploma. 55% of students with learning and attention issues have had some type of involvement with the criminal justice system within eight years of leaving high school. But contrary to what many people believe, there is no correlation between learning and attention issues and IQ. With the right strategies and support, these children can succeed in the classroom—and outside of it too. Understood.org has the information, strategies and expert insights you need at every stage of your unique journey.

  • Understand what you’re seeing – It’s hard to see your child struggle and not know why. Without understanding the reasons for his behavior, you may even come to some wrong conclusions.
  • Understand what your child experiences – You may know about your child’s specific learning and attention issues. But what do they experience on a daily basis?
  • Understand what you can do – Whether you’re new to this journey or have been on it for a while, you want to help your child make progress and find success.

Attention and Learning Issues Need to #BeUnderstood

Whether you have worked with your child on dealing with this struggle for years or this is something new for you, Understood has resources for everyone to learn how to help these kiddos with whatever challenges they face. The You & Your Family section helps families with practical solutions and advice for social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

If you think your child might have a challenge with learning, please do not wait. Every second counts.

How to give IBS the heave-ho this Christmas

IBS

If there’s one thing likely to make the upcoming season of goodwill less merry and result in a crummy Christmas, it’s being suddenly struck by digestive problems. Pretty much the last thing in the world any festive reveller wants is to be prevented from indulging in all that rich food we consume at the most wonderful time of the year, lest it helps bring on excessive bloating, bouts of constipation and irritable diarrhea.

And irritable’s very much the word, for if you find yourself suffering from such symptoms at Christmas – or, for that matter, at any time of year – then it could well be that you’re among the millions around the globe who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What is IBS?

IBS is a highly common gut disorder – frankly, it’s probably the most common in the world – being something of a broadly defined condition. Generally speaking, it’s estimated to affect around one in five people at any time1, but women sufferers outnumber men by two to one1 – the most afflicted are women aged between 25 and 45-years-old

There’s no question, IBS can be both disruptive and distressing and potentially lead to embarrassment in certain situations; however, one bonus (if you can call it that) is that it’s neither life-threatening nor can it fester and turn into bowel cancer.

The two most common symptoms IBS sufferers have to put up with are constipation and diarrhea, or often a mixture of both. Other symptoms that often come with the condition are intestinal pain and cramps, bloating, nausea and vomiting (in some cases) and an inability to fully empty your bowels. Unfortunately, owing to the fact it’s a chronic disorder and that its physical symptoms come and go, the likes of stress, anxiety and depression are also commonly associated with IBS.

Dietary tips

So, should you suspect you’re suffering from IBS, what can you do about it? Well, don’t suffer in silence. As with practically any ailment (unless it’s an ordinary cold), you’re advised to seek medical advice and probably an examination to have confirmed what it is that’s actually wrong with you, of course. But beyond that – and as pretty much any and every medical practitioner will advise – you can make lifestyle changes that will aid living and coping with IBS on an everyday basis.

Predominantly, these changes ought to concern diet. Foods and drinks to cut down on – or, at best, avoid – because they’re IBS irritants include the likes of coffee, cow’s milk, sugary drinks, sweet wine and wheat-based foods, such as bread and biscuits. As an alternative to the latter, you might try oat-based cereals, oatcakes, porridge and rye bread (made with water rather than milk).

Essentially you should try to steer clear as much as you can ingredients like:

  • Artificial sweeteners (in particular, aspartame and sorbitol)
  • Corn syrup
  • Dextrose
  • Fructose
  • Glucose
  • Maltose
  • Modified starch
  • Sucrose
  • Wheat flour
  • Yeast

And when you do eat, be mindful to chew thoroughly, allow your food to ‘go down’ for around 10 minutes after eating and try not to eat while walking somewhere. It’s a good idea too to take on lots of water, which means sipping a good deal of it between meals and having a full glass between getting up and breakfast.

Probiotic supplements

Another method for combating IBS is through BioCare probiotics – indeed, many sufferers are taking the supplement route to offset IBS symptoms and improve their general gut health. So why not try one of the following available via The Finchley Clinic?

  • Bifidobacterium Bifidum (powder/ 60 g) – one of the predominant, friendly bacteria that occupy in the lower part of the small intestine, Bifidobacteria are excellent at exerting a controlling influence over the overall balance of gut flora
  • MicroFloraGuard (30 capsules) – works by releasing friendly bacteria, garlic and botanical oils (which are both antiseptic and antifungal) at separate and highly effective intervals into the intestinal system.