Christmas Picture Book Advent Idea

When I was a kid we cut out strips of red and green construction paper and wrote things to do in December on them (like read a book, watch a Christmas movie, go for a walk, sing carols etc.) and then linked them together into a chain. Each day we took one off and did what it said.

I decided this year to do something similar with  my children but a bit different. I started it late but that’s okay, the kids can still count down to the big day. If you still don’t have an advent calendar, don’t think it’s too late. Just start as soon as you can!

Our advent calendar this year counts down the days with a good Christmas book everyday.

Step 1 – Prepare the Paper

Use a ruler to draw lines horizontally on the paper to guide you when you cut out the strips. We use red and green paper but you can use whatever you want. You will need 24 if you do this before December starts, otherwise, figure out how many days are left including Christmas Eve and that's how many you will need.

Step 2 – Gather Your Christmas Picture Books

Gather together your holiday picture books. I had more than enough for one a day. If you don’t, you can double them up, just space them out so you aren’t reading the same book twice in a row or hit the thrift store and get some more.

Step 3 – Write The Titles on the Strips of Paper

Try to keep them away from the edges. My first few were great, but the title of the second last visible one was so long I had to go near the edges. The reason for this is when they are taken off, part of the title may be ripped.

Step 4 – Cut the Strips Apart

Cut them all apart and mix them up. Get a stapler for the next step….

Step 5 – Assemble the Chain

Take one and make a circle and staple it closed with the ends overlapping just enough. Take another (opposite colour) and put it through the first and then staple. Repeat alternating the colours.

Step 6 – Hang Your Advent Chain Up

Each night, one of my children takes a link off and reads the book title and then tries to find it in our bin of Christmas books. This aids in their reading skills as well. BONUS!

I had so many books I made a couple with two books so they are surprised occasionally with two bedtime stories instead of one!

Enjoy!

Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise by Alicia Richardson

I love reading holiday books with my children as the holidays draw nearer. As a multi-faith household, we read books on Christmas and Hanukkah and I’m always looking for new ones.

Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise is about an elf  who is part of a trial run to bring elves into homes with children to spread Christmas spirit and act as a liaison between children and Santa Claus.

The book is long with many words per page but it’s a sweet story, a children’s drama of sorts because it has the part where you think, “Oh no, what’s going to happen now?.”

It’s different which is what’s best about it. It’s not just ANOTHER Santa visits the children book or the family decorates for Christmas book. It’s different. It sucked me in, like a good adult fiction book usually does but this is a picture book. I was hooked and waited on baited breath to read the next page.

Check out the Trailer:

Illustrator Don Seegmiller

The illustrations are beautiful, absolutely exquisite. Such detail! Did you view the trailer above? If so you must have seen what I mean. If not, please do watch it, so you can see the beautiful detail. 

Check out the Kirby Puckernet Facebook Page, especially in December for some fun colouring contests.

Buy the Book and Support a Cause

Also author Alicia Richardson is donating $1 from each book sold to Kenya Keys.

“Kenya Keys provides scholarships, builds schools and libraries, and creates leadership opportunities in an area where learning is as treasured as water. Kenya Keys has been helping African youth via educational outreach since 2005.”

Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

I See Me Personalized Colouring Books and Mats (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

I’ve reviewed other products from I See Me! before like the My Very Own Name Book or the My Very Happy Birthday book or My Very Merry Christmas Book.

Personalized Colouring Books

New for the holiday season, you can now get personalized colouring books and placemats for your children!

There are a few styles of colouring books available. The one shown above follows the style of the My Very Own Name Book which features animals spelling out the child’s name one letter at at a time, except this time you get to colour it in!

This one follows the style of the My Very Own Fairy Tale Books you can buy. I received this style of colouring book for my girls.

The story starts off about it being an important fairy day:

“Wake up, little fairies, so you can hear.
The time for choosing our princess is near.
Please describe the girl you’d like to crown
with a flower tiara and a princess gown.
Who knows a girl who’d be just right?
We’ll crown our fairy princess tonight!”

Each letter of the child’s name is shown next with a different type of fairy and a few nice words about your child that begin with that letter. After the name is spelled out the child can decorate her crown, assist a fairy with her wings, fill out her certificate and do a few puzzles and name practice. I like how on each page it starts the instructions with the child’s name.

The details on the pages are so intricate, I feel like your child will either be able to take their time on the artwork but already know how to print their name or be learning to print/spell their name but mostly just scribble on the pictures.

I’d like to see two varieties of each colouring book, one with the detail and maybe learning their name in cursive and the other with less detail and printing their name.

There are other styles of personalized coloring books as well.

Personalized Placemats

The placemats feel like they are cardboard but they have a little coating on them so you can wipe them down but I wouldn’t soak it. I do wish they had come flat though as I will have to roll them up the opposite way and try to make it flat and that never works very well.

I think these would be idea placemats for experimenting with playdough at home or for at the dinner table to mark your child’s spot. Your child could trace her name with her finger while she waits for her food.

There are many types to choose from, these are the kinds my daughters got (but with their own names of course!)

I chose not to include the date and love etc. text as shown above so you could do that too.

Overall I’m pleased with these newest products from I See Me! which doesn’t surprise me since I’ve loved all the products I’ve tried so far. the A Christmas Bear for Me or a Hanukkah Bear for Me books would make great holiday gifts too. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

Connect with I See Me!

Facebook

Twitter @ISeeMe_Maia

Pinterest

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My Very Happy Birthday Personalized Book Wins an Award

I reviewed My Very Happy Birthday Personalized Children’s Book in June of this year. I also gave away a copy recently. I’ve also reviewed other books by I See Me such as My Very First Christmas and My Very Own Name.

I’m happy to share the news that the My Very Happy Birthday personalized children’s book from I See Me! has been selected as a Gold award recipient in the 2012 Mom’s Choice Awards!

The Mom’s Choice Awards is an international awards program that recognizes organizations and individuals that create quality, family-friendly media, products, and services. The Gold award is the highest level of acknowledgment from Mom’s Choice Awards.

Congrats I See Me!

Summer Fit Learning Series–Exercise for the Brain and Body While Away From School

 

Studies show that children lose some of their school learning over the summer. That’s why the first few weeks back to school is review.  Also while some kids spend Summer outdoors getting lots of exercise, others spend it indoors sitting around watching TV and playing video games.

The Summer Fit Learning Series was founded by George Starks in 2010 after leading the Summer Bridge Activities workbook series for Rainbow Bridge Publishing for 10 years.

Summer Fit Learning Works the Brain and Body

The brain exercises such as reading, writing and math bridge what they have already learned in the grade they are leaving with what they will learn when they move up. So instead of it being a Grade 1 or Grade 2 workbook, you would see a Grade 1-2 workbook for students moving from Grade 1 to Grade 2.

The body exercises include fitness, nutrition and values. There is a wide variety of Aerobic, Strength and Play Exercises plus Core Values to learn.

How it Works or Inside the Book

The book is designed to be used every weekday starting right from when school lets out. After all the parental information and explanations, you will find a Progress Check where you can check off each week as it is finished and how you are doing with the fitness.

Then you will find the introduction to Week One. It tells you what brain knowledge you will cover (missing letters, counting coins, finish the pattern, vowel sounds, subtraction etc.). Then is the reminder to pick an activity from the aerobic, strength and play/sport activities this week and to warm up first with some ideas of how to do that. Finally we are introduced to the core value of the week with a little explanation of what it means.

Turn the page to find the Incentive Contract. A parent or guardian fills in an incentive for completing the weeks and signs it. There is a spot to check off that you did the mind and body sections for each day that week and a spot to write down three things you did this week to show your weekly value. Then Congratulations and the parent can sign.

For each day there is only two pages of work plus the fitness section so it’s not like your child is working for hours each day all summer long. It could be 5-20 minutes depending on how well your child remembers/knows the material. For fitness you choose from one of the three activities shown and pick a “level”. It’s set up so you do fitness as follows:

Day 1 – Aerobic (Green level is to do it for 10-30 seconds. Blue level is 31-60 seconds and Purple level is 61-90 seconds.)
Day 2 – Strength (Green is 3-10 reps, Blue is 11-19 reps, Purple is 20-29 reps)
Day 3 – Aerobic
Day 4 – Strength
Day 5 – no mind work, something on the core value (info, questions, book suggestions and other activities) and you do one of the sports.

Are you in Canada?

My only problem is that the pages that have you count coins, have you count American coins. But don’t worry! You can download the pages with Canadian coins from the website in the Canada section!

Connect!

You can find Summer Fit Learning on Facebook and Twitter. Also the website has some extra resources like a summer reading list, other fun ideas and more.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My Very Happy Birthday Personalized Book

I See Me’s Book of the Month is My Very Happy Birthday Personalized Book.

Turtle, Duck, Mouse and Bluebird are putting together a happy birthday party for a child. Available in Birthday Girl and Birthday Boy version with beautiful illustrations by Mati McDonough in a collage style.

A few details about your child such as gender, name and birthdate and a personalized book will be on it’s way to your child. The books are good quality, with board pages to make them last longer.

I’d show you a picture of what the book I got looks like but my son’s name just happens to be the same as the sample book, Liam!

I See Me has also just started a Referral Program. You get $5 I See Me! Dollars for each friend you refer. That $5 is accumulative!! Your friend gets $5 off their first order as a new customer. Check it Out:  http://www.iseeme.com/refer-a-friend-sign-in.html

Remember how I mentioned it was the Book of the Month? Use coupon code happyday to get 15% off.

Check out I See Me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

#Pinterest for Dummies

I’ve got a great review and giveaway for all you new to Pinterest-ers over at my sister site SMS Nonfiction Book Reviews.

Go on over there and check it out. If you are already a pro at Pinterest, feel free to enter for a friend or family member.

Check It Out and Enter

What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Sponsor Spotlight for #ShakeRattleWin

You may have heard that your favourite pregnancy book is being made in to a movie and it's out in theatres May 18.

When I was pregnant with my first child I followed along with What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff every step of the way. I checked certain parts again with babies #2 and #3.

Watch Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock and many others in this sure to be funny movie.

You can find all kind of information, interviews, photo galleries and more on the movie at the What to Expect website.

One Minute Trailer:

 

The movie comes at the same time that the book’s being released in it’s fourth edition.

Thomas Allen & Sons is sponsoring the upcoming Shake, Rattle and Roll Giveaway Hop with a copy of the fourth edition of What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff.

So come back May 22 to enter for that and other prizes!

*Disclosure: No compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

My Baby Compass–Finally A “Manual” For Parents - Developmental Screening

Every parent wishes they had a manual for their baby or child, especially when they are so young they can’t talk and tell us what they are thinking or what’s wrong. 

There is no all encompassing manual but My Baby Compass comes close!

Every Parent Worries

Every parent also worries about their child. Is he learning new skills at the proper age? Should she be crawling yet? Why isn’t he walking? Talking and Motor Skills are the most common worries of parents from what I’ve seen, but sometimes other skills they should be learning are overlooked.
For those with children on the Autism spectrum, did you find that it was a shock or that you didn’t notice the behaviours? I’ve heard other parents of Autistic children say something similar, they just didn’t see it.

Test Your Knowledge

Do you know when a child should be able to indicate a need without crying (like pointing or getting an object)? When they start moving to music? When they will show off for attention? We don’t just have questions about babies either. When should  she be able to put together a four party toy (Mr. Potato Head/Legos) When can they identify four to five colours when asked?  When should your child understand simple time intervals (hour, half hour etc.) *answers at the end

About the Program

My Baby Compass helps with all of that. It is a program designed to screen your child (or other’s children if used by a doctor, day care worker or psychologist.) It doesn’t just tell you if your child is meeting the correct milestones though, it also tells you what to do if he is not and what activities to try to help her with those areas. It also includes lots of resources.

My Baby Compass comes in three books, each with  multiple booklets for on the go screening. You can buy just one book or you can buy all three in a kit.

Book One: Birth to Two Years
Book Two: Two to Four Years
Book Three: Four to Seven Years

Each book has lists based on age and skill type with spots for you to check off when it’s been accomplished and put a date (you can put a general date like 9 months or November 2011)

For example from Book One (Birth to Two Years) you will find:
Baby TALKS (Birth to 3 Months)
Baby HEARS (Birth to 3 Months)
Baby UNDERSTANDS (Birth to 3 Months)
Baby MOVES (Birth to 3 Months)
Baby FEELS (Birth to 3 Months)

Then the same 5 topics for the next age category (3-6 Months) right on up to 19-24 Months.

Book Two (Two to Four Years) and Book Three (Four to Seven Years) have the same 5 skills plus another section for TALKS IN PHRASES and are all separated into smaller age categories such as 24-30 months, 43-48 months, 4^1/2  to 5 years or 5-6 Years.

My Baby Compass is also a Parent Tested Parent Approved Award Winner.

Testing It Out

My second daughter will be 5 years old on Saturday, so I took out the book and turned to the 4^1/2  to 5 years section. (Keep in mind that you look at the section when your child is finished that age. So you check the 4^1/2 to 5 year section when your child is 5.) I was able to see that she has met most of the milestones just by looking. Some I had to think hard if she’d done it, and for some, I’ll have to keep my eye on her for the next little while to see.

• Begins to make the “th” (think, this) and “zh” (measure) sounds in words (Four Year Old TALKS)

This one was a relief because I was worried that she should be making the TH sound correctly by now but it looks as if she should be just starting to get it right. If I flip ahead, I see that while my child should be getting better at the TH sounds as she gets older, it’s possible not to have mastered it till age 8!

• Repeats the days of the week in sequence (Four Year Old HEARS)

I was surprised to see this one here as my six year old is just getting the hang of the days of the week. But it doesn’t mean my child is behind. If your child doesn’t go to school at 4 or you’ve never bothered to teach them, then they will not know it. However if you’ve done the suggested activities and tried to teach it and she is still not getting it, then you might start wondering. I’m not worried, my daughter is starting to get the hang of the days of the week and is showing interest in learning.

• Likes working on projects and may carryover an activity from day to day (Four Year Old FEELS)

My husband brought home scratch art kits and they work on it a little each day so she does this. Sometimes she is worried about finishing something she is doing and I remind her that she can work on it the next day.

I also checked my other children against the lists. Anything they weren’t doing yet or I wasn’t sure if they could, I will do the suggested activities for. If you look in the “My Child Did Not Meet a Milestone. Now What?” section is tells you not to panic, that checklists are based on statistics and your child may be close to meeting a milestone. It recommends you use the activities given to encourage your child to respond appropriately.

This is an amazing resource. If you are familiar with the Nippissing Screening checklists or other such checklists, I find My Baby Compass way better. Why? It includes skills not covered by other screening checklists and even in the speech section, doesn’t just include how many words they speak or understand and such but also what letter sounds they should be able to make and such. The resources alone make it worth the price.
Some of the Resources You’ll Find:

• Baby Info such as Feeding, Quality Time, Routines, How Babies Grow/Learn etc. (Book One)
• Communication Process: How Babies Learn to Talk, Listening/Speaking Style, When Baby Cries, Signing (All Books – slightly different in each)
• Age Appropriate Toys and Playtime Ideas (All Books)
• Music and Rhymes for Fun and Learning (All Books)
• Sign Language (All Books)
• Toddler Info such as Potty Training, Play, Tantrums, Discipline, Feeling Words (Book Two)
• Suggested Vocabulary: Basic Words, feeling words, different/same words, rhyming words etc. (Book Two)
• Book Suggestions (Book One/Two – small list, Book Three includes Books to help with language development and Books to help with sound development)
• Preschooler Info such as Preschool/School, Creative play, Bullying, Conflict, Discipline, Feelings, etc. (Book Three)
• Vocabulary and Phonological Awareness Appendix (Book Three)

Even if your child is already 6, I would recommend the third book because it has all kinds of information with regards to how children learn to read and ways to help them with the specific skills they will need. In fact I HIGHLY recommend this product to ALL parents and those who work with children. 

To Learn More or Buy My Baby Compass, check out the website. You can also find My Baby Compass on Facebook, Twitter or watch the video about it on YouTube.

*Answer to Test Your Knowledge
Indicates a need without crying (like pointing or getting an object) – 12 months
Moves to music – 6 months
Show off for attention – 18 Months
Puts together four part toy -  36 months/3 years
Identifies four to five colours when asked – 4^1/2 years
Understands simple time intervals – 7 years

My Baby Compass was my sponsor for Blogmania 2012

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

New Year New Reads Book Reviews

Thanks SO much to the sponsors for my New Year New Reads Giveaway. Each of the books that are being given away in the event will be reviewed on SMS Book Reviews. Normally they would have been done before the end of the event but some still haven't made it through the mail to me and there are a lot of books, it takes time to read them.

Here is a list of all the books and when they have been reviewed, they will be linked directly to the review for your convenience. So even if you aren't sure if the books are for you, enter now! You only have 4 days left. If you don't win, you can use the reviews to determine if you wish to purchase the book.

The 4-1-1 on Life Skills by Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN 
101 Things I Hate About Your House by James Swan with Carol Beggy
1% Solution for Work and Life: How to Make Your Next 30 Days The Best Ever by Tom Connellan
The Swiss Cheese Theory of Life: How to Get Through Life's Holes Without Getting Stuck in Them! by Judith Belmont and Lora Shor
Courtesy Bootcamp by Anthonette Klinkerman 
Cows Can't Quack by Dave Reisman
Red is Best Board Book by Kathy Stinson
Dogs Don't Eat Jam by Sarah Tsiang
Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Class Pet by Ruth Ohi
Likeable Social Media : How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (and Other Social Networks) by Dave Kerpen 
How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age by Dale Carnegie Training 

The 4-1-1 on Step Parenting by Michele Sfakianos 
What I Wish I'd Known About Raising a Child with Autism by Bobbi Sheahan and Kathy DeOrnellas, Ph.D. 
Grilled Cheese Please! by Laura Werlin 
The Busy Mum's Cookbook by Mary Gwynn 
The Berlin Cookbook by Rose Marie Donhauser 

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

GIVEAWAY: New Year, New Reads Giveaway Hop (US/CAN) Nonfiction/Childrens/Social Media/Parenting/Cooking

 

Welcome to the New Year, New Reads Giveaway Hop!

Sponsored by HowardComputers.com

Hosted by Formula Mom, Tales From the Nursery, and ShePromotes

Welcome to the New Year, New Reads Giveaway Hop! It will end on January 23rd and there are hundreds of dollars in prizes available across all of the participating blogs! Enter at each blog and don't forget to the enter the New Year, New Reads Grand Prize Giveaway! Huge thanks for HowardComputers.com and the blogs sponsoring the grand prize giveaway!

There are 3 chances to win in the Grand Prize Giveaway:

• 1 lucky winner will win a Kindle Fire from HowardComputers.com and a $50 Amazon Gift Card
• 2 other winners will each receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card

Click here to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway!

When you enter, be sure to say that Callista's Ramblings referred you!

I have a couple of prize packages for you, not all of which are ready yet. All books will be reviewed at SMS Book Reviews during the course of this event.

ALL Retail Values listed are list price and are in USD (COVER ART COMING SOON)

Prize Package #1 - "Life" - US/CAN - Sponsored by Michele Sfakianos, James Swan, Tom Connellan, Judith A. Belmont and Anthonette Klinkerman.

The 4-1-1 on Life Skills by Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN (RV: $14.95)

101 Things I Hate About Your House by James Swan (RV: $18.95)

1% Solution for Work and Life: How to Make Your Next 30 Days The Best Ever by Tom Connellan (RV: $20)

The Swiss Cheese Theory of Life: How to Get Through Life's Holes Without Getting Stuck in Them! by Judith Belmont and Lora Shor (RV: $20)

Courtesy Bootcamp by Anthonette Klinkerman (RV: $8)

TOTAL RV: $81.90

Prize Package #2 - "Children's Books Ages 0-6" - Canada Only - Sponsored by Jumping Cow Press and Annick Press

Cows Can't Quack by Dave Reisman ($8)

Red is Best Board Book by Kathy Stinson ($7)

Dogs Don't Eat Jam by Sarah Tsiang ($9)

Chicken, Pig, Cow and the Class Pet by Ruth Ohi ($7)

Annick Press Bookmarks

TOTAL RV: $31 + bookmarks

Prize Package #3 - Social Media - Sponsored by Simon & Schuster UK and McGraw-Hill PR

Likeable Social Media : How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (and Other Social Networks) by Dave Kerpen (RV: $20)

How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age by Dale Carnegie Training (RV: $26)

TOTAL RV: $46

Prize Package #4 - Parenting - Sponsored by Michele Sfakianos, Bobbi Sheahan

The 4-1-1 on Step Parenting by Michele Sfakianos (RV: $14.95)
What I Wish I'd Known About Raising a Child with Autism by Bobbi Sheahan and Kathy DeOrnellas, Ph.D. (RV: $14.95)

TOTAL RV: $29.90


Prize Package #5 - Cooking/Food - Sponsored by Simon & Schuster UK and Berlinica 

Grilled Cheese Please! by Laura Werlin (RV: $17)
The Busy Mum's Cookbook by Mary Gwynn (RV: $32)

The Berlin Cookbook by Rose Marie Donhauser (RV: $20)

TOTAL RV: $69

Enter using the rafflecopter form below. If you don't know how to use it or have any questions or problems, leave a comment or email me callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca.

A copy of the giveaway rules are below and on the rafflecopter form. Entering the giveaway means you have read and agree to the rules.

GIVEAWAY RULES:
One Person Per Household. Open US/CAN 18+. Giveaway open until Jan 23, 2012 @ 11:59 PM EST. Odds of winning depend on number of valid entries received. Duplicate (accidental or not) entries will be deleted before a winner is picked and winner's entries WILL BE verified. Winner will be selected using rafflecopter's random.org on January 24, 2012 and will be contacted by email. Winner will have 3 days to claim their prize or their prize is forfeit and another winner will be chosen. Contest Void Where Prohibited. This giveaway is not associated, nor sponsored by Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability.

Click Read More if you can't see the widget.

REVIEW: My Very Merry First Christmas Personalized Book (I See Me) #12DaysGalore Sponsor

Your child's first Christmas is always a special one. Videos of your baby either helping open the presents or laying quietly absorbing the surroundings (depending on age) is one of those moments you remember.

Many people get Baby's 1st Christmas Ornaments for the tree but I like this idea better.

I See Me has personalized First Christmas books. Your child's name is in the title and in the garland of the tree on the cover as well as throughout the book.

Here's an example using the sample name Jacob:

"Cardinal flapped and fluttered outside of Jacob's house. "Christmas is coming!" I have to tell Mouse!"

It's a small hardcover book with a shiny cover and thick pages. The best part of it is that although it's a Christmas book and Santa and the reindeer do make an appearance, they aren't the stars of the show. It focuses on animals and the Christmas Tree. It's secular too if that's what you are looking for.

Also I was able to personalize it more. His name is on the cover as mentioned and throughout the pages of the book. His full name is in the title page along with a dedication and the inside cover says This book was written especially for Liam. 

I See Me has other personalized books and products too like the My Very Own Name book that I reviewed on my other blog.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

GIVEAWAY: 12 Days of Gifts Galore - $460 in Prizes Split in Two Winners (WW) #12DaysGalore

Welcome to 12 Days of Gifts Galore Giveaway Hop hosted by Tales From the Nursery, Formula Mom, and Mama on a Green Misson. There's over $5,000 in prizes offered to help you get the gifts you need this holiday season. After you are done entering our giveaway you'll want to check out everyone else's AND enter for a chance to win one of three GRAND prizes sponsored by Kudzoom! Each blog you stop and enter at will be another entry!

I have seven sponsors for this event which will make up 2 prize packs.

Prize Pack #1 - $200 - Year Subscription to Reading Kingdom - Open Worldwide

"The Reading Kingdom is more than a phonics program. It’s an online reading program for children ages 4 to 10 that teaches six skills needed for reading and writing success. Created by Dr. Marion Blank, one of the world's top experts in literacy, the reading system is beloved by parents and has helped thousands of kids to learn to read."  - Read My Review Here

Prize Pack #2 - ($240 to $260) - Gifts for Parents and Children - Open US/CAN (For you or use as a gift - if there is something your family can't use, share with a friend)

Mumoocie Memory Foam Body Pillow - $80 - Read My Review Here

Unique Design Good for Those Who Don't Like to Sleep Alone (Kids OR Adults)

PaperJamz Guitar - $40 - Review Coming Soon

Play the Guitar Like a Pro! 8+

Live Call with Santa (and CD) from Santa Speaking - $37.90 -  $59.90 - Spotlight Coming Soon

Your child will get a personalized call from Santa himself and a CD recording of the call to hear again and again and hang on the tree. Value depends on when you schedule the call and how many children you have. See the spotlight post for details.

Mommy MD Guides (Pregnancy/Birth and First Year) by Jennifer Reich - $26  - Read Review Here

My Very Merry Christmas Personalized Book by I See Me - $25 - Review Coming Soon

Lovable Labels Holly Jolly Gift Pack - Winner's Choice of Christmas Jewels or Santa's Pick - $25 - Review Coming Soon

To enter, please use the rafflecopter form below. If you don't know how to use it, see this rafflecopter guide. A copy of the giveaway rules are below and on the rafflecopter form. Entering the giveaway means you have read and agree to the rules. If you have any problems, email me callista83@cogeco.ca

NOTE: Only the first entry is mandatory. However there is a bonus 25 entries if you do all the single entries. The list of entries is fairly long because I wanted to give love to my sponsors. Entries are grouped by type/frequency.

GIVEAWAY RULES:
One Person Per Household. Prize Pack #1 Open Worldwide 18+, Prize Pack #2 Open to US/Canada 18+. Giveaway open until December 6, 2011 @ 11:59 PM EST. Odds of winning depend on number of valid entries received. Duplicate (accidental or not) entries will be deleted before a winner is picked and winner's entries will be verified. Winner will be selected using random.org on December 7, 2011 and will be contacted by email. Winner will have 3 days to claim their prize or their prize is forfeit and another winner will be chosen. For Prize Pack #1, I will ask for permission to forward your email to them and they will give you your year subscription. For Prize Pack #2, I will ask for permission to share your email address with Santa Speaking, I See Me Books and Lovable Labels so they can coordinate the details of your prize. I will provide your mailing address to Mumoocie, Paper Jamz and Mommy MD Guides. Contest Void Where Prohibited. This giveaway is not associated, nor sponsored by Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability.

Click Read More if you can't see the widget.

CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Sponsor Spotlight – Cowboy Food Book & Spices #CouponCabinHop

Be sure to come back November 1 for your chance to win a prize from this company during the 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Event. 

Do you wish you lived in the Wild West? Here's your chance to cook like you did. Cowboy Food by DD Little is part novel/part cookbook. It features chili and many other recipes including salads and snack foods. The characters tell tales of the past throughout the book. The recipes originate from the mid 1800's to the early 1900's and have been converted to heart smart healthy recipes with the help of a number of cardiologists at UCLA, Kaiser and VA medical centers. Cowboy food is endorsed by a UCLA doctor.

Additionally, the book has spawned a unique line of gourmet spice blends.

 The blends originated from the chuck wagons and Oregon trail trecks made by early Americans. They carried their spices in bags or tins then and when one ran low they poured what was left in with something else. The result was wonderful spice mixes. They are now in Jars called Cowboy Food Spice Radicals. They truly give the taste of the Old West to your dishes. 

Find DD Little on Facebook and Twitter. Also check out the blog.

DD Little has donated a copy of Cowboy Food and a jar of spice (RV: $19) for the Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Event.

Buy It: From amazon.com Cowboy Food


*Disclosure: The purchase link above is an affiliate link. I will receive some change for any purchase made through the link. I will be receiving a copy of the book and a jar of spices to review. The company is sponsoring a giveaway during Coupon Cabin's 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

CouponCabin’s 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Sponsor Spotlight – Easy Entertaining for Beginners #CouponCabinHop

Be sure to come back November 1 for your chance to win a prize from this company during the 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Event.

I've never been one for entertaining, I don't host parties a lot. However recently it was decided I would host Easter and Thanksgiving at my house every year while my mom would do Christmas. Hosting this past Thanksgiving showed me that I need to purchase some serving dishes and that I need some new ideas if I want the holidays I host more than just an okay dinner.

Enter Easy Entertaining for Beginners by Patricia Mendez. It's a book for people like me, who are new to entertaining and want to know what to do.

Maple Heights Press (2008)
172 pages softcover
$18.95

There are 13 complete menus including one for first Thanksgiving, instructions and terms designed for beginning cooks and also includes some design ideas and drink ideas. I can't wait to review it.

Patricia Mendez has donated one copy of her books (RV: 18.95) for the Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz Event.

Buy It: From Amazon.com: Easy Entertaining for Beginners

*Disclosure: I will be receiving a copy of the book for review purposes. The purchase link above is an affiliate link and will provide me with some change if you purchase through it. The company is sponsoring a giveaway during Coupon Cabin's 25 Crazy Dayz of Giveawayz. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.