Review: Sesame Street Building Sets by K’NEX

It is in playing, and perhaps only in playing, that the child is free to be creative.

Donald Winnicott

You don’t understand how excited I was when Team Mom notified me of the opportunity to review the all-new Sesame Street Building Sets by K’NEX!  First off, my son absolutely adores Sesame Street…particularly Play With Me Sesame.  Secondly, my son loves to take things apart and try to put them back together…yes…even at his young age!  So when I opened the package and pulled out the Ernie Building Set, it was out of my hands before I could give it a second look (toddlers are grabby that way and everything is “mine”).  We have had a lot of fun over the past week playing with the building set…me putting it together…him taking it apart and then trying to put it back together again.  

As my son gets older, I find him getting bored easily with toys and gravitating towards books more and more.  He’ll take a book, place it in my hand, and sit in my lap, expectantly waiting for me to read to him. I have had to be creative about the types of toys I buy for him.  I wholeheartedly believe that toys should be fun and educational and the Sesame Street Building Sets do both very well.  The sets come in characters that children are familiar with and that is what sparks their interest and curiousity.

The Sesame Street Building Sets promote physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. The sets can be played by your child alone or with someone else and it’s actually encouraged that he/she do both.  The sets are designed for preschoolers ages 2 and up.  

Our set came with 15 pieces, a set of stickers, and an activity sheet detailing ways to engage in active play. The Ernie storage canister is handy for keeping the pieces from getting lost behind the couch in one place.  The Sesame Street Building Sets retail from $10.99-$31.99 and can be purchased directly on the site or a local retailer in your area.  

Thank you Team Mom and K’NEX for this review opportunity!

 

Review: Sesame Street Building Sets by K’NEX

It is in playing, and perhaps only in playing, that the child is free to be creative.

Donald Winnicott

You don’t understand how excited I was when Team Mom notified me of the opportunity to review the all-new Sesame Street Building Sets by K’NEX!  First off, my son absolutely adores Sesame Street…particularly Play With Me Sesame.  Secondly, my son loves to take things apart and try to put them back together…yes…even at his young age!  So when I opened the package and pulled out the Ernie Building Set, it was out of my hands before I could give it a second look (toddlers are grabby that way and everything is “mine”).  We have had a lot of fun over the past week playing with the building set…me putting it together…him taking it apart and then trying to put it back together again.  

As my son gets older, I find him getting bored easily with toys and gravitating towards books more and more.  He’ll take a book, place it in my hand, and sit in my lap, expectantly waiting for me to read to him. I have had to be creative about the types of toys I buy for him.  I wholeheartedly believe that toys should be fun and educational and the Sesame Street Building Sets do both very well.  The sets come in characters that children are familiar with and that is what sparks their interest and curiousity.

The Sesame Street Building Sets promote physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. The sets can be played by your child alone or with someone else and it’s actually encouraged that he/she do both.  The sets are designed for preschoolers ages 2 and up.  

Our set came with 15 pieces, a set of stickers, and an activity sheet detailing ways to engage in active play. The Ernie storage canister is handy for keeping the pieces from getting lost behind the couch in one place.  The Sesame Street Building Sets retail from $10.99-$31.99 and can be purchased directly on the site or a local retailer in your area.  

Thank you Team Mom and K’NEX for this review opportunity!

 

Green Me: Creating a Healthy Home

As we prepare to close on our very first house, I’ve decided to document the steps we will be taking to create a healthy home environment.  We hope to reduce our carbon footprint and create a safe home for our family.  Stay tuned for articles and product reviews!

Mamas…Get Your Glow On!

When I was pregnant with my son, I remember all of the do’s and don’ts particularly when it came to eating. When my son was born I thought…finally…I can eat and drink whatever I want. Except that I nursed my son for 13 months. While nursing gave me more freedom than pregnancy, I still felt the weight of unwritten restrictions.

I can barely go a day without tea and coffee but caffeine and babies, regardless of whether they are in or outside of the womb, don’t mix. With recent research linking high fructose corn syrup to obesity and diabetes, it’s prudent for all mamas, pregnant or not, to stay away from it. So what does that leave? Water, juice, and Glow Mama!

Glow Mama is a healthy, low-calorie drink designed by a mom for pregnant and nursing moms. It’s a light and refreshing blend of kiwi and white grape juices. It’s not too sweet and at only 70 calories you’ll feel good about the nutrients it provides. Glow Mama is free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, preservatives, and caffeine and contains calcium, rolate, B and C vitamins, and fiber. Glow Mama complements your prenatal vitamin so don’t forget to keep taking it! I recommend refrigerating it because it tastes wonderful chilled. If you’re finding it difficult to consume your 8-10 glasses of water every day, why not try Glow Mama?

What I find impressive about Glow Mama is that the American Pregnancy Association endorses it. Head on over to Glow Mama for more information including some very cool recipes for mommy mocktails!

Get It Now! Use the promotion code “rockinmama” and you’ll save 15% off your next order!

Profuse thanks to Glow Mama and the Family Review Network for this review opportunity!

Scholastic Election 2008

American youth attributes much more importance to arriving at driver’s-license age than at voting age.  ~Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, 1964

In just over 30 days, America will go to the polls and decide who will lead our country.  Never has it been more important for Americans to vote than right now.  For many parents struggling to sift through the issues at hand, media election coverage raises questions among children that they may not be prepared to answer.  

How do we explain the concept and principles of this years election to our kids?  How do we instill within our children a sense of pride in our democracy and freedom to vote?

Scholastic is helping to explain election concepts to children in a way that they’ll understand.  If you check out their site, you’ll find  books, tools, and online materials relevant to this year’s election.  Scholastic aims to explain the contemporary world to children in a relevant and meaningful way.  You may not know this but every four years Scholastic develops an initiative related to the current political climate of our country.  

On the Scholastic Election website, you’ll find age-appropriate, up-to-date coverage on this year’s election. At present, you’ll find the latest on the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain.  If you have a child between the ages of 9 and 14, they’ll enjoy reading election stories from the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, a team of 80 kids, who report on the election from their hometowns across the country.

Do you struggle with questions your children ask about this year’s election?  Check out the Parent Guide to the 2008 Presidential Election. Their tips on talking to children about the election help to bring the information down to their level within the home. 

There is no more effective way to learn than to actively engage in putting the content to use.  Dale Carnegie said that “only knowledge that is used sticks in your mind.”  My favorite aspect of the Scholastic Election initiative is the Scholastic Presidential Election Poll.  Here students can cast their vote for President. According to Scholastic, the outcome of this poll (which started in 1940) mirrored that of the general election in all but two instances.  More than half a million students in first through eighth grades participated in the poll during the 2004 election.

  

The site has a wealth of resources including books and classroom magazines.  Scholastic News, Junior Scholastic, and Upfront are age-appropriate magazines containing articles, stories, and activities relevant our world’s current events.  You can preview a sample of each on the site.  

New for 2008 are two election-focused books for children ages 4-8.  

Otto Runs For President by Rosemary Wells

It’s election time at Barkadelphia School and the race for school presidency is on.  Will popularity or bribery win?  Or will Otto, the only candidate to really listen to the students requests win?  The book presents election concepts in an understandable manner and even touches on the issue of mudslinging.  

LaRue for Mayor:  Letters From the Campaign Trail by Mark Teague

It’s election time in Snort City and Hugo Bugwort is the front runner for mayor.  When Ike LaRue, resident dog of Snort City gets word of Hugo’s anti-dog sentiment, he decides to throw himself into the race.  The story is cleverly told through letters and editorial news clips.  Find out who ends up winning the candidacy in the surprise twist at the end.  

You can purchase the above resources directly from Scholastic.  Scholastic strives to be current and relevant…even in the online world!  Check out the election blog and follow them on Twitter!

Savor the Moment (Plus a Giveaway!)

*Update*

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you so much for stopping by and entering.   The winner is Barbara.  Congratulations.  Be sure to visit my “contest and giveaways” tab for more opportunities.  

My husband and I love to entertain.  We are in the process of buying a house and I’m looking forward to having our friends and family over more often.  We have a group of friends we like to visit with and we try to take turns hosting.  I’ll admit that now that we have a little boy it’s a challenge to cook for the three of us, let alone a group of friends and family.  If there is one thing I’m all about, it’s ease and convenience…particularly when it comes to the kitchen (cause you know how clumsy savvy I am in the kitchen!).  

Pillsbury has just introduced an appetizer that you’re absolutely going to savor!  Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites “feature warm, flaky pastry dough wrapped around tasty fillings.”  They are available in three flavor variations including cheese and spinach, buffalo style chicken and mozzarella and pepperoni.  Stick them in the oven (we used our toaster oven and they came out perfectly) for 20 minutes and they’re ready to serve with a glass of wine or in our case a glass of apple cider!  My husband and I tried the cheese and spinach flavor before dinner and I had to exercise restraint from eating too many!  I have always liked Pillsbury products (their dough is the best) and Jason said “I’d buy them!”  You will definitely want to exercise restraint with these as they do contain 260 calories and 17 grams of fat (4 bites) which is the Weight Watchers equivalent of 6 points.  

I had a little difficulty finding Pillsbury Savorings as I don’t regularly shop at Albertsons, which is the primary store the product is sold in at present.  You’ll find them in the freezer section!  If you’re interested in finding a store that sells the product in your area, check out the website.  You can also download a coupon for $1.00 off here.  

Win It!  You’re going to love this!  I have a very cool Savoring the Moment gift bag to give away to one lucky reader.  It includes:

• One coupon for a free package of Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites
• One set of Wine Glass Charms
• One Wine and Food Matching Guide
• One wine bottle opener
• One wine bottle topper

To enter, leave me a comment with your best tip on entertaining.  You can tell me about a food you love to prepare or something that saves you time in the kitchen.  Just make sure it has something to do with entertaining!  I need all the tips I can get!  Comments will close on October 8, 2008 at 10 pm PST and I will announce the winner here the following day. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.  That means you can gain up to a total of three entries!

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.  

Follow me on Twitter.

Blog about this giveaway.  It doesn’t have to be a separate post.  Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

My So-Called Life

We’ve just spent the last week dealing with a sick baby and I have to admit that with cold and flu season approaching, I’m not looking forward to months of this.  Last night we were in the Emergency Room with my son because his temperature went up to 104.  Apparently toddlers can tolerate fevers this high but whether or not parents can, is another question.  

We all know that a baby changes your life in ways nothing else can.  But nobody can really explain how chaotic your life can feel at times.  I am blessed to be able stay home with my son five days a week and still keep up my nursing skills working part-time in the neonatal intensive care unit.  This gives me the best of both the stay-at-home mom and working mom worlds.  I sometimes feel like the demands of both leave me drained and cleaning often takes a back seat!

You should see our zoo place.  Toys strewn everywhere, piles of paper begging to be sorted, and laundry piled up in the basket crib desperate for folding.  Oh…and did I mention we’re MOVING?  So amidst the chaos we live in, we are also partially surrounded by boxes!  And my son? Happy as can be…except when he’s done with his food and he starts throwing it.  Content playing until he starts throwing his toys everywhere.  Do you see a pattern emerging here?  I’m hoping all this practice throwing will lead to a career! 

Life in the Bailey household is never without excitement.  My husband and I have had to resort to the reality that our place will never be spotless…but we are happy and healthy (for the most part) and I wouldn’t change our life for anything!  

This week over at The Parent Bloggers Network, parents are sharing stories about the zoo that is their life.  Check it out!  You may just win a $250 Visa card and a copy of I Know Animals, Letters, and Sounds from Generation Next!

Guest Review: William is Going Green

I am so excited to bring on board my very good friend Kristin Rowles!  She is an awesome woman and a mom to three gorgeous girls.  It is because of her that I decided to change my lifestyle in light of the fragility of our precious environment.  Please join me in welcoming her as a guest reviewer on Rockin’ Mama.  She has just started her own blog, entitled Mama Chow, where she writes about Nutrition, Health, Wellness…an outpouring of the wealth of information she is learning while studying to be a dietician.  If you get a chance, check out her bio here.  I can’t think of a better person to review William is Going Green than her!

Our past and present way of living is taxing our precious environment to a point that something must be done.  Glaciers are melting, animals are becoming extinct, and rain forests are disappearing.  We must change the way we live and teach our children to do the same.  Books are a wonderful way to impart knowledge.  My son already has a love for books and reading and he’s only 15 months old.  Children are capable of learning so much more than we give them credit for.  

Thanks to Parent Reviewers, Kristin and her girls were able to review William is Going Green, the first book in a series entitled William the Garbage Truck.  Written for children ages 4-8, William is Going Green follows William, who starts off as a smoky white garbage truck.  William learns about conservation, makes friends, learns lessons and eventually transforms to a green hybrid recycling truck committed to the fight against global warming.  Bonus:  The book 100% recyclable!

From Kristin:  

Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo

Bob the Builder…Can we play AND learn?  Yes we can!  

We live in a society that thrives on technology.  Children are accessing computers at a younger age and there is a need for games that entertain and educate.  Brighter Minds Media publishes online and multimedia materials, software and books for the entire family with a focus on creating a wholesome, online environment.  The company has recently released Bob the Builder:  Can-Do Zoo, a computer program designed to teach your child through games and activities.  The program has won numerous awards including an iParenting Media Award for Outstanding Product Call 2008.  

With two types of play (story and free play) and three skill levels, Bob the Builder:  Can-Do Zoo is designed to grow with and challenge your preschool child.  Each of the seven learning games are designed to teach your child problem solving, pattern recognition, object classification, fine motor skills, spatial recognition, shape and color identification, and planning and time sequencing.  I like how the company uses familiar characters from shows that children watch regularly like Bob and Thomas.  One of my favorite aspects of the program is the sticker book mode.  When a game or activity is completed, a sticker is awarded.  Those stickers can then be used to create their own scenes.  Learning is important but encouraging the expression of creativity is equally important and the program does a great job of incorporating both.  

Bob the Builder:  Can-Do Zoo is available in English and Spanish for both PC and Mac systems (yeah!) and retails for $19.95.  If you purchase the program on the Brighter Minds Media website, you’ll receive free shipping!  Be sure to enter their weekly contest here.  This week it is for a Professor Fizzwizzle program!

Profuse thanks to Brighter Minds Media and the Family Review Network for this review opportunity!

 

 

PakNak Review & Giveaway (3 Winners!)

This giveaway is now closed!  Thank you so much for stopping by and entering.  The winners are Nora, Maja, and and Susan Varney.  Congratulations!  Be sure to check my “contests and giveaways” link for more opportunities.  

Don’t you just love accessorizing?  I was recently introduced to PakNak, a mom-owned business specializing in decorative accessories for carrying bags.  These soft, rubbery charms come in all shapes and sizes and can be placed on backpacks, lunch boxes, notebooks and more!  My favorite way to use PakNak charms are on gift bags and cards.  I absolutely love wrapping gifts and I think this is a unique and fun way to decorate a gift.  

 

Placing the charm is easy…just peel and stick!  Kids will love the fact that they can interchange them with other charms.  Velcro is what allows the charms to be transferred from say a backpack to a lunch box.  The charms come in fun designs and vibrant colors and include a trading card which details your charm’s home, favorite food, best friend, and favorite activity.  What a fun way to allow your child to express him/herself.  Looks like a collecting trend is emerging! We received Rod and Ralph courtesy of PakNak.  Check out my little boy’s decked out lunch bag and backpack…

 

 

Going green?  Perfect since some of the designs are made from recycled plastic.  Concerned about safety? Good for you!  Many of the charms are free of phthalates.  PakNak charms retail for $3.99 each and can be purchased directly from the site. Right now you can save 10% off your order with the following code:  PAK10.  During the month of September, PakNak is donating 10% of all online sales to Schoolhouse Supplies, a nonprofit organization that supports public education in Portland by giving students and teachers free classroom supplies.

Check out this adorable video demo of PakNak!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pXMGXermgk&hl=en&fs=1]

Win It!  Profuse thanks to the Family Review Network and PakNak for this review opportunity.  Readers…you’re in luck!  PakNak has offered to give 3 lucky readers their choice of 4 charms each!  Head on over to the site and take a look at all of the fun designs available.  Come back and leave me a comment indicating which design appeals most to you and where you’d put it if you won!  Comments will close on October 5, 2008 at 10 pm PST and I will announce the winner here the following day. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Follow me on Twitter. Be sure to send me a message letting me know since it’s getting a little difficult keeping up with everyone who just started following to gain an extra contest entry!

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