Kids stuff — Page 13

Rafflecopter Giveaway: Winners Choice from Rock ‘N Learn!!

Rock ‘N Learn – Rocks our Socks!

About a month ago, our family got the chance to review the new “Sight Words” DVD from Rock ‘N Learn. I was super excited to share it with the kids- The youngest little guy in my house just started Kindergarten, and is really struggling. I figured that this had the potential to be a BIG help!

A little about Sight Words:

Sight words are the most popular words in the English language- words like come and go, in and out, up and down, and you and me. The idea is that kids should learn to recognize these words on sight – helping to build a great base for their beginning reading skills!

The DVD is from the great people at RockNLearn.com– where you can find tons of other great DVD Videos, Audio CDs and iPad apps to “Capture Kids’ Attention and Get Results.”

I’d read great things about them, but this is the first time we’ve gotten to experience it for ourselves. I’m very happy to tell you- this video totally lived up to the positive reviews that I’ve read!

See it in action:

The Reaction in My House:

Abby: Abby is 14 month months, which is a bit too young for this video {it’s meant for Pre-K and up}- but she LOVES her Baby Signing Time videos, so I thought she might like these too. I was SO right! She giggles and claps, and dances along to the songs. It’s never too early to start learning to recognize words, right?
Little Guy: He’s the perfect age for this, and since he’s struggling with school so far, I was really hoping he’d like these. He was totally engaged with the video the whole time! And, even after a month of watching this a few times a week- he still loves it! He says, “Reading is ROCK AND ROLL!!” {Translation- his dad is in a rock band. He thinks that rock music is the coolest thing ever. So, if he says that something is rock and roll, that’s his highest compliment.} He seems to be really starting to grasp the words and their meanings, and is getting better with his skills when doing schoolwork too. So grateful that Rock ‘N Learn contacted us to try this out!
Big Guy: The older little guy in my house is 8, and is starting to become “too cool” for some of the things that interest his brother- making it a challenge to keep them both entertained. But- he really enjoys this video too! He is a really advanced reader, so he doesn’t really need to learn these sight words- he knows them. But he gets a big kick out of helping his brother learn them- and I think it really helps reinforce the meanings of words that he already knows. I love the way the words are taught in context- the character goes up when showing the word UP, then back down to show the word DOWN.
Me: These don’t drive me crazy, like many kids video’s do – which means that I love them! They’re really cute, the songs are catchy, and the educational value of them is very obvious. They keep all three kids entertained and engaged after school, they’re teaching the kids some wonderful reading skills, and they’re totally pleasant to listen to- I give Rock ‘N Learn – Sight Words a rating of 5 Suns out of 5!! {Remember, I don’t do “star” ratings, I do suns :)}

You can purchase your own copy of Sight Words on Rock ‘N Learn for $19.99. And bonus- use this special coupon code- JQ7711 – at check out, to save an additional 25% off of any purchase at Rock ‘N Learn!!

Win It!

One lucky Sunshine and Sippy CupsA fan is going to WIN their choice of DVD or CD from Rock ‘N Learn!! Use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form to enter to win! Good luck!!

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BIG News from a Favorite Baby Site!

Planning Family- A New Mom Resource!

If you’re a momma-to-be, a new mom, or even like me – the busy mommy to a little toddler! – you can benefit from the wonderful content over at Planning Family!

Tons of free baby stuff from the brands you know and trust. Click Here to join!

Freebies and Coupons, but also so much more…

I started using Planning Family for the baby samples, to stock up before my little girl even arrived. And oh boy did those come in handy! When you realize at 2am that you’ve run out of formula, and don’t have another canister – it’s a lifesaver to be able to grab some from your sample stash. Plus, all of the samples we stocked up on were great for filling the diaper bags with trial size products too.

After the baby came, I started using Planning Family to find diaper coupons. Then I realized how much more there was to the site – I could find answers to most of my baby questions, fun information on Abby’s development, feeding and sleeping advice, and more. It really is a great resource!

Big Announcements Coming!

I got an email from Planning Family today, and is says, “Something big is coming…” It doesn’t give much detail of what is going to happen, but it does mention that “they will soon launch some wonderful new features that will make using PlanningFamily.com quicker and easier than it has ever been!” Making one of my favorite sites even better? Love it.

So, if you’re already a member, stay tuned for the big excitement. If you’re not a member yet, join me there today! If you’re not a mom – you can sign up anyway, and pass those freebies onto your friends, or just share this post to your Facebook and Twitter, so they can join too!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on October 1, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution, Freebies, Deals and Coupon Codes | No Comments

HUGE Event Ends Tonight – Win a Mommy Goodie Bag – Over $100 Value!! #giveaway #mom #baby

Have you entered to WIN yet?

One lucky winner is going to get a Mommy Goodie Bag STUFFED FULL of great prizes- you can see some of it here, but there’s MUCH more that didn’t fit in the photo!

This goodie bag has a value of over $200!!! The coupons included are worth almost $100 in savings- plus…

Some of the other GREAT GOODIES included:

Full size make-up set from Sephora- one of my favorites!
Green products for your home!
Tons of deluxe-size samples of natural and organic baby products!
Bunches of great make-up, fragrance, and beauty samples for mom!
A $50 Visa Gift Card!!!!

Amazing right?

Enter to WIN a Mommy Goodie Bag – including a $50 Visa Gift Card today!!!

Get your entries in right away- this HUGE giveaway event ends tonight at midnight!!!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 30, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies, Giveaways, Contests | No Comments

More Spookamole Fun- Pumpkin Puke Recipe!

Who loves “Spookamole” ??

I shared my post with you guys last week – Spiderweb Spookamole Nachos – and loved the comments and emails I got from you on it. It was pretty popular in my house too.

Another Fun Halloween Recipe!

I found out that a bloggy friend of mine put together a “Spookamole” recipe of her own, and just had to share it because it is SO much fun!!

The boys in my house would totally go crazy over this one- so I’ll be putting together my own version soon too.

Check out her instructions on how to make Pumpkin Puke Spookamole on her blog, and let her know how much you love it :)

Do you have a fun recipe to share?

If you’ve made a great Halloween or Fall themed dish, leave me a comment to tell me about it! I’m always looking for fun new recipes. And there are always so many fun things to make for Halloween!

More Fall Fun- Get a FREE Canvas Print!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 29, 2011 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | 1 Comment

Munchkin Bunch Contest Update!! #baby #contest

At the beginning of September, I got this SUPER EXCITING letter-

Hi Meagan,

Congratulations, your baby is a finalist in The Munchkin Bunch!

Out of 3,500 entries, your little one stood out and represented a little bit of Munchkin – fun, happy, giggling, cute, clever and excited! Voting is now open and only five of the ten finalists will become a part of The Munchkin Bunch. Please visit our Facebook page to vote for your little one and encourage all of your friends and family to vote because every vote counts. Voting ends on 10/1.

See your cutie on our Munchkin Bunch tab: Munchkin Bunch Voting.

Thanks,

Your Friends at Munchkin

How Amazing is this, right??

So, I shared the info with EVERYONE, and we were in first place for most of the month!! But– I’ve had some stressful stuff I’ve been dealing with, and kind of dropped the ball– and we’re now in THIRD place! We only need to be in the top 5, and it’s ALMOST over, but there are a few other cute kiddo’s who are VERY close to beating us too!

So- Mom to Mom, I ask you guys for a favor–

PLEASE VOTE FOR ABBY PIPER TODAY!!

It will only take you a minute- click that voting link, then click on her picture. You can click 5 times to give her a total of FIVE whole votes each day!! It would mean the world to us to win this…. It comes with a college scholarship for Abby too.

If you need MY help with anything important to you too- leave me a comment here and I’ll return the favor! You guys have always been the most supportive group of fans, and make what I do here every day that much more amazing! I appreciate your help with this– and hopefully in a few days I’ll be able to announce that Abby is a part of the new Munchkin Bunch!!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 29, 2011 Filed Under: Contests | 5 Comments

Win FREE Date Night Tickets to the Capital Theatre!

This is for the local Yakima moms-

Have you heard about a super-fun show that’s coming to the Capital Theatre October 25th? The Magic School Bus – LIVE! will have 2 showings that day- at 10AM and again at Noon, and it’s only $5 per ticket- an amazingly affordable way to take the kids to a really great show. {See more details on the show here, and find a study guide to use along with the show too!}

Seatbelts everyone! The Magic School Bus celebrates its 25th Anniversary with an all-new musical adventure.

More about the Show-

Ms. Frizzle’s students are putting on a play about global warming, and they need some cold, hard facts. The Friz and her reptilian sidekick, Liz, know just where to find them!

This is no ordinary field trip, as a hop on the Magic School Bus takes the class and the audience on a whirlwind tour. From the arctic to the equator, they see telltale signs of climate change and learn how conservation, recycling and alternative energy can make a difference.

Ms Frizzle and her class are up for the climate challenge. Are you?

The Magic School Bus – LIVE! is targeted towards kids from Preschool to 3rd Grade.. But since the show is only an hour long, it’s still totally appropriate for even younger kids- in fact, I plan to take Abby, who’s only 14 months. But I know she’ll just LOVE it!

Take the kids to the show- Get entered to win tickets for YOU too!

One Lucky Winner will get a Pair of Tickets to see the Capitol Steps!

“The Capitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. In the years that followed, many of the Steps ignored the conventional wisdom (“Don’t quit your day job!”), and although not all of the current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together the performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience.”

You don’t want to miss this!

Everyone who orders tickets to The Magic School Bus show can get entered to win a great pair of tickets to see The Capitol Steps show on Friday, October 21st, at 7:30 PM. The winner will be chosen on October 14th, the Friday before the show, to make sure they have time to arrange for a baby sitter, and can enjoy a great “Date Night” out!

How to Win:

Every ticket purchased to see The Magic School Bus – Live show gets you another entry to win the Capitol Steps tickets, but only if you follow these directions-
Call the ticket office at 853-8000 and ask for Christina.
Let her know how many Magic School Bus tickets you’d like to buy- remember, they’re only $5 bucks each!
Make sure to mention you saw this giveaway on Sunshine and Sippy Cups to be entered to win!

That’s it- easy peasy!

Christina at the Capital Theatre will draw a lucky winner on October 14th, and contact them right away to make arrangements to get the FREE Ticket Prize! Good luck!

If you know of other moms who would love to learn about the Magic School Bus – LIVE! show, and this great giveaway, please feel free to use the share buttons to post this to your own favorite social media pages too!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 27, 2011 Filed Under: Contests, Yakima Moms | No Comments

Why T.J.Maxx is NOT Your Regular Discount Store!

Back-to-School shopping doesn’t stop just because the kids are actually back in school.

In our family we do the majority of the shopping AFTER school starts! Here’s why…

While there are loads of great sales before school starts, there are still TONS of great deals to be found AFTER the rush of back-to-school is over. Plus, so many kids- especially teens- will totally change their mind about what they want to wear this year after they see what everyone else is wearing. If you wait until they’ve been at school for a couple of weeks, they’ll end up making choices that reflect what’s “cool” – which you know is what matters, right? Oh, the teenage years…

Get the most bang from your buck at T.J.Maxx!

There’s a difference between discount stores and off-price retailers, like T.J.Maxx. At a discount store, a backpack might sell for $19.99, but it was made at a lower quality to sell at that lower price. At a retailer like T.J.Maxx, their buyers are constantly getting new designer merchandise to sell- so if you find a $19.99 backpack at T.J.Maxx store, it is a higher quality bag that was probably built to sell at a MUCH higher price! This means, not only are you getting great savings, but you’re saving more in the long run too, since you’re getting higher quality!

Every single week, every T.J.Maxx and Marshalls store get more than 10,000 new items – meaning you’ll always find the newest fashions for your home and your family!

Back-to-School Shopping Challenge

As part of my partnership with Mom Central, I received a $50 T.J.Maxx Gift Card, and the challenge to see what kind of great back-to-school deals I could find for our family. I hadn’t shopped at T.J.Maxx in a while, so I was super excited to go check it out!

As you can see, we found the boys some great stuff! I was able to get backpacks for both of them, and most of their first day outfits- for less than $50 bucks- which was amazing. And, the boys actually had FUN shopping- which doesn’t happen often. I was SO impressed with the deals that we went back again last week to check out the selection of new winter coats and boots too!

Do you have more fall shopping to do?

In a Mom Central survey of moms shopping habits, 81% said that they’ve had to change their back-to-school shopping habits due to the rising prices of things like gas and groceries. Did you put off any of your purchases due to a tighter budget? If so, I totally recommend checking out the deals at YOUR local T.J.Maxx, to get everything else you need for fall at an affordable price.

My Verdict

The fashions were deemed “cool” by the kids, the selection and cleanliness of the store were awesome, and the prices rocked my socks. What more can you ask for, right?

As a deal-savvy momma, I entered the Cheap Sally “Bring Home the Bacon” competition. I’d love for you to check out my profile, and give me a vote to help me get to Round 2 if you think I deserve to make it there! Thank you!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of T.J.Maxx and Marshalls and received a gift card to facilitate my review and thank me for taking the time to participate.}