13 great books for kids! ~ and a GIVEAWAY!

~~Due to the winner not contacting me, I needed to chose a new winner~~
Congratulations to the lucky new winner~ Abi! Please e-mail me your mailing address and selection asap. Thanks!

Candlewick Press, based in Somerville, Massachusetts, publishes some of the best children’s books (in my opinion) and readers of all ages can enjoy them! I have been very impressed with the selection they carry, and the books are well loved by my kids!
Here is a sampling of the variety that they have:
Let's Play in the SnowThis book follows from the first Nutbrown Hare book: Guess how much I love you?The Nutbrown Hares are playing I Spy as they hop through the snow. They spy something that belongs to a tree, a bird, a spider, and even something that belongs to Little Nutbrown Hare that is only there when the sun comes out. But what does Big Nutbrown Hare spy that belongs to him and is his favorite thing of all?

The MiniBug series of four is written by Jessica Spanyol : -- four wild, crazy drivers, each with a book of his own! Giorgio is a fast minibug, who speeds his crane train along until the inevitable CRASH and SPLASH!
Here's Bob, who drives his van really fast downhill.
Keith is a super stunt rally racer!
Clemence is on his fire engine en route to a rescue!
Crazy Hair Day: Stanley shows up to school with his best, craziest hair day ever...only to find out it was the wrong day! He wanted to just skip school for the day (in the bathroom). To top it all off, it is picture day! His friend and teacher help him realize that it isn't so bad after all.
Stanley and the Class Pet: Stanley can’t wait to show Figgy (the class pet) to his mother and to take care of the bird for the weekend. But when Figgy flies the coop, Stanley is faced with a very tricky problem. What to do? And whose fault is it?Leslie Patricelli Board Books (3 in the series of the Yes! Yes! pack). These books are great for talking about opposites with your kids. They remind me of the "NO, David!" books~ with the illustrations. Yummy Yucky: Spaghetti is yummy, but worms - and blue crayons, and sand, and other things too gross to mention - are definitely yucky when tasted.
Big Little: Ladies are big, but ladybugs are little.
No No Yes Yes: Yanking cat by tail: no NO. Gentle pat on back: yes YES. *very funny book.*
Charlie and Lola's Numbers: Lola is a delightful, and very imaginative girl. I think these books are so cute~ In this counting book Lola learns that she has two toothbrushes (one for her and one for her lion friend), and four moon squirters, otherwise known as tomatoes. She loves pink milk, too.
Charlie and Lola's Opposites: Another great, witty, and funny read of Lola's imagination with Opposites. She is ordinary, but a crocodile is extraordinary!
This is by far my absolute favorite pop-up book of all time! It is quite astonishing, actually! It will amaze you. (I suggest you keep this out of little one's hands, and keep guard over it while you read). Charlie and Lola's I am Not Sleepy and I will NOT go to Bed (coming in October) is such a clever book! I was so impressed, and laughed so much with Lola's imagination sparkling off the pages, and her brother Charlie's quick responses. You will be laughing over this great read! Be watching for it at Candlewick Press coming soon!
Would you like to win one of these books from Candlewick Press? They have offered to do a giveaway for my readers! What a great back to school giveaway! Great selection to chose from for your young readers! This contest is open to all readers living in the Continental United States. To enter the contest, check out all the great books I wrote a review about. Pick out which one is your favorite, and leave me a comment on which one. If you click the title, you can get more details of the book. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits to win, and click here to see guidelines and the official rules. Contest will end on September 29th, at 7:00 PM CST.

13 necessities for baby's arrival

1. Diapers~ babies poop and wet so much in the first few months!
2. Burp cloths! Babies need the extra cloth to catch the overflow. In my case, my kids need a blanket to catch their milk, (I use receiving blankets) my kids spew...seriously, watch out!
   
3. Blankets, to keep those babies nice and warm! You need a few because one is always dirty!
4. Baby wrap, sling, or carrier! Babies love to be held, especially close to mum, and I think we mums need them close to us!
5. Car seat! After being a Mom for almost a decade, I suggest getting an all-in-one convertible seat. One that can be a rear-facing (for infants) all the way to the booster seat. You get your money's worth this way!
6. Gowns! I loved having baby gowns for my newborns! You change their diaper so much, and in the middle of the night~ gowns make it so easy to change their bum.
7. Baby legs! I love our baby legs! It is a great alternative to pants, because you keep their legs warm, and you can get the diaper changed easy!
8. Boppy pillow, or other nursing pillow. I use mine all the time, and it is great for when we travel, too. It makes nursing so much easier! I also use the Boppy pillow to prop my baby up in bed. I know you aren't "supposed" to put pillows in bed with them, but newborns really don't move around all that much. Plus, if you swaddle your baby snug, he/she will stay put.
9. A great Breast Pump. I would say look closely at the pumps and make sure you get one that works well. I would also suggest getting a hand held pump (without cords~battery operated) for the travel times in the car. You never know when you need to pump. I need to get a hand held one.
10. Here is a hint on an upcoming review...something to help when your milk comes in. This is an amazing product, and I wish I had this the first time~it would have been so helpful! I had a baby! I can't tell you yet, but come back here next week to see what it is! You will be glad you did! Also, nursing pads, nipple cream (like Lansinoh~loved it)!
    
11. Coffee!! OK, I know you are banned from all the good drinks should refrain from caffines while nursing, but c'mon! I love my coffee, and I don't give it up. If you don't like coffee, or are one of those "follow the rules" type of people like to stay away from caffine, you can get this great beverage called Glow Mama! (review coming next week).
12. Sleep! Both you and the baby need your sleep! Seriously, everything else can wait, and will always be there. Make sure you get plenty of sleep. For the baby, I love my Amby Baby hammock! I think this is a super product for my baby to sleep in.
13. Journal, or some way to keep memory of things your baby does. I just reviewed Babble Soft website, and this is a great tool for any new mom! I love my blog, too...to keep track of the special things my kids do!
    

13 things I need to get...

1. Window Valance for a kid's room.
2. Wall borders for a kid's room.
3. New kettles for our kitchen! Good Quality ones!
4. An activity "train" table for all of Caleb's Thomas trains and track.
5. An activity table for the kids to do their projects, coloring, etc.
6. I really need a double stroller, ours is shot.
7. I need a wall border for Nathaniel's room. Either Sponge Bob or bugs & frogs.
8. I would like to get a bookshelf and bins for the playroom. We need help with organization.

9. I need to get valances for Nathaniel's room that match what we get for the border.

10. We really need kitchen/dining room flooring! We moved into a cabin 2 (almost 3) years ago, and it wasn't "lived in". Since we have moved in, the tiles have become lose (and they are old), so my kids like to use them as puzzle pieces. NOT COOL!

11. We need a goo paint job all over our house. Let's just say the '70's are out in my book.

12. We need a microwave and a new stove/oven. They are old, and we have to cook/nook extra long or hot to get things done.

13. A vacation? Oh, yes, that would be sweet!

Happy Thursday's Thirteen!

13 Things to look forward to~

1. January is almost over: which means, the longest month of winter is almost over. This means super, butt-nipping cold is almost gone.
2. The days are starting to get longer: which means, the daylight hours will be longer=happier people.
3. My babysitting/nanny job is going to be starting into full swing by next week. This will mean my life will get a lot more busy, but I think all in all this will be so good in so many ways.
4. Nathaniel does NOT have school on Friday: which means some great time with my oldest son! I like when he doesn't have to go to school. (I miss having him home during the days).
5. We are going to my husband's side of the family for a Christmas (belated) gathering. It has been awhile since we have been up to Grandma's and I know it will be fun for visiting. Terry's brother's family moved up there recently, so we will get to see their new home, too. Grandma's house is remodeled, too, so it will be fun to see the (much needed) update.
6. I have some super products coming my way to review, and I think you all are in for some treats...HINT, HINT....yes, that means some SUPER contests will be coming your way very soon!
7. I am planning a girl's night sleep-over to happen in February. I loved hosting it last year, and I am SO looking forward to a night with my special girly friends...for laughing, munching, giggling (yes, laughing and giggling are different)...yakking, and maybe sleeping. OK, I know I can't handle staying up all night anymore, so I will be sleeping.
8. Madelyn is starting to say more things, and I am really looking forward to when she is talking. I love this stage she is in, and it just amazes me how much they really know.
9. Speaking of Maddie, she has her first birthday coming up in a month and a half! WOW! I can't believe she was born almost a year ago! Time goes so quickly!
10. In March, my parent's will celebrate 50 years of marriage! That is so wonderful and inspiring! I am so happy for them! It truly is a blessing! Congratulations to my parents!
11. LADIES NIGHT OUT in February. This is such a great night with my girlfriends at our home church. Game night, laughing, yakking, giggling to the point of: (1) tears, (2) rolling on the floor, (3) walking funny all the way to the bathroom before an accident, or (4) spitting a beverage out of your mouth. It is so much fun, and I hope we all can make it!
12. SNOW MELTING!! Need I say more?
13. Spring! Ditto...need I say more?

Things I want to get done while my toddler is on vacation

1. I would like to organize the "old school area" in our basement. That means clean off the filing cabinet, go through books and put away, take down posters (and save) and get rid of stuff we don't use/need.
2. I would like to make the "play area" more fun and kid friendly. I want to find some kind of shelves or bins to put toys in. I need some organization here, too, just need to know how I am going to do it.
3. I would like to clean off and organize the desk area. This is a sore to the eyes for my husband and I, and it really needs to be done.
4. I would like to de-clutter the kitchen, and re-organize. This is a big job, so I may just focus on a few areas.
5. I would like to get through the kid's clothes. This is in our very basement, and it is a huge job. I would like to put the sizes in the proper boxes/bins, so I can know what I have with just a glance. Any suggestions on the best way to do this without pulling out my hair? :)
6. I would like to clean...vacuum, dust, sweep, mop, clean bathrooms...without any interruptions.
7. I want to dust off my stamps and make some cards! This is a little easier to do with out our tornado-toddler.
8. I want to get ALL the Christmas decorations put away, and actually put up the few Valentine's Day things I have. That would be fun. Seriously, I do not have a whole lot, so don't think that I am a fanatic. LOL
9. READ
10. RELAX
11. Exercise
12. Bubble bath with my daughter...ok, well, maybe.
13. Play my new Wii...if it comes...still waiting! :)
    

Thirteen reasons why parents should get Tottoos~

1.Totoos.org creates customized child safety products that are designed to increase the chance for a lost child to be found, and decrease the time you and your child may be separated. Our safety products are fun to wear and will empower your children in a whole new way!"
2. Totoos Temporary Tattoos and "Be Visible, Be Safe" Glow lights are perfect for vacations, amusement parks, family outings, school field trips, shopping, and any other situation where a child may accidentally stray from you.


3. You can put these Totoos on your child if they have a food allergy.
4. Medical Tottoos can be used to quickly identify a wide array of medical conditions, including Alzheimer's, seizure disorders, diabetes, and severe allergies in any situation where important medical information is helpful to be displayed.
5. You can even include an emergency phone number for your doctor or a loved one so they can provide immediate assistance.
6. "Be Visible, Be Safe" Glow Lights are made from non-toxic materials and include lanyards so they can either be worn as a necklace or attached to clothing. Your Glow Light will glow brightly for up to 12 hours and protect your loved ones day and night! *This is great for an evening event where there are many people (ie. Sate Fair)
7. Biking: Use glow lights for older children/adults when biking at night to increase visibility on the road and to have an emergency contact number available in case of accident.
8. Skiing/Snowboarding: There is an increased chance for injury and for members of your group to become separated from one another while skiing or snowboarding. Use our glow lights to help keep you safe and connected when hitting those Double Black Diamond Ski Trails!
9. Hiking/Camping: Our glow lights can be a lifesaving tool on a hiking or camping trip for anyone who gets lost, sick, or hurt along the way.
10. Mountain Climbing: Our glow lights are a simple precaution to take before attempting a high altitude climb. If you experience altitude sickness or disorientation, your glow light will provide you or a fellow hiker coming to your aid with your emergency contact's information.
11. Tottoos are durable and water resistant, so you can use them at the beach or water park too! 12. One more layer of protection for keeping your whole group safe. Ideal for use on field trips, for sports clinics, camps, field days, overnight events, and whenever an activity takes your group away from your school or facility.
It is recommended that the chaperone's who accompany the children also wear Tottoos so it is apparent which adults belong with the group (and which do not).
13. Tottoos will last 12 hours or more (even up to a couple of days), if applied properly to clean, dry skin. We recommend, particularly with very young children, that you remove the decal when you're done with it so the skin can "breathe" instead of leaving it on for several days.

For more information about this amazing product, please visit Tottoos.org! DO you want to win a set of these to take precautions to protect your children? Or wear yourself, for medical reasons? Tottoos has graciously offered my readers a Basic Safety Set! Here are the "rules" to this contest:
1. Go to Tottoos.org and look around, then come back here and leave a comment with the answer about where the company is located. Their story is quite amazing, too! *hint, look in the about us.
2. For a second entry, post about this contest on your blog. It doesn't have to be a long post. I would love to spread the word (and linky love is so nice)!
Contest ends December 18th at 11:59 p.m. I will announce the winner on the 19th.

That's it! Happy Thursday Thirteen, and thanks for stopping by~

Contest now closed: Winner is Babystepper!

Thirteen movies I love~

• Anne of Green Gables
• Anne of Avonlea
• A few Good Men
• Sound of Music
• Princess Bride
• My Best Friend's Wedding
• First Knight
• Bad Boys
• Enemy of the State
• Liar Liar
• Hitch
• 50 First Dates
• Pirates of the Caribbean

I like a lot of movies, and it was hard to narrow it down to 13...Happy Thursday's Thirteen!

Thursday's Thirteen...I want this, can you help?

I would love to win this for Maddie...do you think you could help me out? Pinks&Blues is having a contest for an awesome Baby Girly-Girl Giveaway....total retail value of $205!!

1. One pink perfection Pixie Dust Burp Cloth, retail value $20.00
2. One adorable “silly” pink with pink rhinestuds bitty braille 100% soft cotton tee, 12-18 month, retail value $24.00
3. One lusciously luxurious lime/hot pink gigi blanki, retail value, $25.00
4. One precious 12-month Stella Jane Birthday Bubbles Romper with Bloomers 2-piece set, retail value $45.00
5. One does-it-all Active Tunes Stroll-a-Tune Stroller Stereo System, retail value $29.95
6. One “Girl Authority” compact disc, featuring 9 girls + 15 girl-power kickin’ songs, retail value $10.00
7. One soothingly delicious Chamomile Butter Nursing Nipple Cream by Mama Rose’s Naturals, 2 fl. oz., retail value $11.00 (This one’s for the lucky mama!)
And to tote all of your lucky baby girl’s gifts?
8. One gorgeous fashion-meets-function “Pretty Paislies” Diaper Caddy from the SaraBear Diaper Caddy Collection, retail value $39.95 (See, even my name is in this prize) :)

Here is all you have to do:

9. Become a subscriber to Pinks&Blues lucky loop.

With th Lucky loop you get your daily fix of trendy, ultra-hip and unforgettable gift, personal, travel, creative, seasonal, age-, gender- and species-specific ideas. Each day is something different: Monday is our Preconception related pick; Tuesday is our Mama pick; Wednesday is our Baby pick; Thursday is our Kid pick; Friday is our Dad pick; Saturday is our Grandparent pick; Sunday is our Pet pick.

10. If you subscribe, please send an email to pinksandblues[at]gmail[dot]com indicating that I sent you....Sassyfrazz.

11. Every friend I refer who becomes a Pinks & Blues Lucky Loop subscriber, you’ll automatically get an extra chance to win!

12. I would so apprecite it, and Maddie would, too! :)

13. All new subscribers will be entered into the contest and be eligible for the extra “referral” entries as well!

The drawing will take place on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 5 PM EST!

Thirteen Things you may have had if you were young in the 70's....

IF YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL IN THE 70'S......

1. You had that Fisher Price Doctor's Kit with a stethoscope that actually worked.

2. You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with flowers on it.

3. You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)

4. You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie", not to mention the "Dorothy Hamill".
People sometimes thought you were a boy.

5. You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days.

6. YEAH! You owned a "Slip-n-Slide", on which you injured yourself on a sprinkler head more than once.

7. You owned "Klick-Klacks" and smacked yourself in the face more than once !

8. Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.

9. You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.

10. You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.

11. You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny shredded outfits, or the sunshine family.




12. You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.







13. You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (Oh yeah!)

************This is more than 13, but I had to share for the smiles...**********

You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the buckle). You also had a pair of salt-water sandals.

You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little House on the
Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in at least one school picture;
and you despised Nellie Oleson!

You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink!

Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you kept it "pretty"
with the comb you kept in your back pocket.


You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.

You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic.
With the thermos inside some were glass inside and broke the first time you dropped them.

You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard was your boyfriend.

Thirteen wonderful smells of Fall!

1. Fall leaves
2. Fresh cut wood
3. Firewood burning
4. Rain
5. Pumpkin Pie
6. Pumpkin seeds
7. Caramel apples
8. Apple Pie
9. Cool, Crisp morning air
10. Turkey
11. Leaves burning
12. Hot Apple Cider
13. Hot Chocolate

Thirteen word plays for lexophiles

1. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

2. Police were called to a day care where a three-year-old was resisting a
rest.

3. Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all
right now.

4. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.

5. The butcher backed up into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his
work.

6. To write with a broken pencil is pointless.

7. When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.

8. A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.

9. A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.

10. A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened
criminal.

11. Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.

12. We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.

13. When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U C L A.

Thirteen top toys and games from my childhood

Cabbage Patch babies (adoptable babies with adoption papers) Barbie and the Rockers!
My Little Pony
Pound Puppies and Pound Purries
Rainbow Brite and her Sprites, and of coarse Strawberry Shortcake

Rose Petal Place,
Jem,

Fisher Price sets (farm, school house, bus...and all the cars),

Shrinky Dinks,

and the Husker Du game!
Care Bears! (all moods)
Sweet Secrets (turned into a magical necklace)