Educational Insights Grandma's Trunk & Play Foam Review & Giveaway

Nothing makes my son smile more than playing games. He also does not like to lose but, has accepted it with games. The things I like about the Educational Insights Grandma's Trunk Alphabet Game is you don't have to lose. It's not a traditional game and you can get as creative as possible and many people or few people can play. Beautiful colored cards, fun learning and riddles is packed in to Grandma's Trunk.


 All though I did not have enough children around to test all the games on the instructions, we played several different versions. I first read the clue cards and my son guess the item I was talking about. Later he did the same, except he can't read so he made up his own clues. This help advance his critical thinking, descriptive details that they will be looking for on his Kindergarten test. While he already knows his ABC's, practicing them can not hurt so I had him to put the cards in order from A to Z, then had him tell me another item each letter begins with, instead of the picture on the card.

One of the next games we played was I had him only pack food cards for grandma, them clothing, then house items, etc. That helped him recognize items for specific uses. When we did the story of what grandma packed with the cards "shuffled & mixed", he had to tell the story from the cards drawn. No matter how mixed up, he had to think of how to incorporate that item in to his story. Yes the story did get a little crazy but, his creativity came alive and he told a story. This was his favorite game so far.


Not only did we get to play around with the grandma trunk game. We got to get creative with some play foam. It is not as messy as it sounds and it's not that sticky. It's kind of like making rice crispy treats without the "sticky sticky." Very easy to clean up. Some had glitter in it. My son mixed it and said he was making a pizza.

Rules: Win Education Insights Grandma's Trunk Alphabet Game & Play Foam, US entry, 48 hr. Disclosure: Samples was sent for my honest review as a Education Insights Mom. All opinions are my own.

The Solar System by Teach My

My son loves learning new things and loves space. Up til now he know about earth, the stars, sun, and the moon but, until he got an out of this world learning kit from Teach My. The Solar System by Teach My book highlighted one characteristic for each planet and each planet's place within the solar system. My boys loved the hands on planet placement puzzle. Flashcards with planet on the front and the name on the back. The Sun and nine planets, no Pluto did not get left out.

The Solar System by Teach My includes:

• 1 Book, including Pluto, the Dwarf Planet
• 1 Full-Size Poster
• 10 Flashcards
• 1 Puzzle
• Teaching Guide
• Re-Sealable Storage Bag

Have you seven the new website of the award winning Teach My, if not now is the perfect time to take a look at all their interactive learning activities. Keep up with all the latest products and news @teachmy on twitter
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teach-My/140520005962665
You Tube http://www.youtube.com/teachmy

Disclosure: Company/PR provided me with sample product to review & keep. Opinions are my own. Some photos courtesy of the sponsors page.

Tidy Books Bookcase Giveaway & Review

We've been to the book fair at school selecting books to read. My sons love for us to read books together and our book collection is quite full. We have a small book stand full and my sons desk is full of books. They needed a book shelf that was easy for them to reach the books at their level with their favorite titles in it. Plus cool looking doesn't hurt at all. The Tidy Books Bookcase fits the needs of my little readers.

 I can tell you when it arrived I thought wow this is going to be to small and was wondering it some pieces were missing. After my workers arranged it I saw that the pieces fit together to make it bigger. We had the best builders on this project and seriously it was easy to assemble, the kids helped. Our favorite design is the Tidy Books Bookcase with natural wood finish and lowercase letters.

See below my boys arranging their Curious George flies a kite, Curious George an the puppies, Garfield Christmas, and the Twelve Dogs of Christmas in the Tidy Books Bookshelf. Just as soon as we got it together they couldn't wait. We are beyond satisfied with the appearance on the Tidy Books Bookcase, strength and quality.

The Tidy Books Bookshelf can hold a capacity of 85 book different shapes and sizes. It's compact design takes very little floor space and it can be attached securely to the wall.

Tidy Books offers these items below:

The Tidy Books Bookcase

ForgetMeNot™

Bunk Bed Buddy

The Tidy Box

Nursery storage

Cabin Puzzle

Make sure to follow Tidy Books on twitter @tidybooks Join Tidy Books mailing list and EARN BOOK VOUCHERS!
Join Tidy Books on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/#!/TidyBooks

In conjunction with reviewing this wonderful bookcase, Tidy Books will sponsor & host the contest from their Facebook Page! Details: Tidy Books Bookcase to be won in the finish of the winner’s choice, worth approx $169 and ends December 20.
The link is http://www.facebook.com/TidyBooks?sk=app_245655815482938

Disclosure: Company/PR provided me with sample product to review & keep. Opinions are my own. Some photos courtesy of the sponsors page.

Learning Resources Magnetic Numbers Review & Giveaway

Doubled sided magnetic numbers makes learning fun and entertaining. Children love playing with magnets and sneaking education in is an excellent idea. My son loves to count so I thought the Learning Resources Magnetic Numbers would be the perfect educational gift. We've been practicing with our set right on the refrigerator door; however, they are used on whiteboards also. It' more convenient for us to practice while cooking dinner. I like that they are study and thick, not easy to bend.

Learning Resources Magnetic Numbers are picture front countable items and the number in form on the reverse side. Learning Resources set is 26 piece set includes numbers 0-20 and 5 operation pieces to preform adding, subtraction, and practice greater than or less than. Great for Prek and up.

For a fun educational gift Learning Resources Magnet Number are perfect and one of my readers will win the same doubled sided magnetic numbers set. Also Follow Learning Resources on facebook.

RULES: Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern December 6, 2011.
Open US winner. Leave your email in to post or available in profile, I will not search for it.
MUST complete Mandatory Entry. Winner will be chosen by random org. Entries that does not follow the rules will not win.

Mandatory Entry *Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect and tell me another item you like at Learning Resources.

********EXTRA ENTRIES***********

*Blog about the giveaway linking this post (5entries)

*Follow both on twitter & tweet "#Giveaway Doubled sided magnetic numbers from @LearningHandsOn @lifesandcastle http://goo.gl/ODHcL 12/6 #contest #win #gift " (1 daily)

*Learning Resources on YouTube (4 Entries)

*Give this post a google+1 (1 entry)

*Give me a Klout +K (1 k per day, daily)

*Grab Holiday Gift Guide Button (3 entries)

*Stumble Life Is A SandCastle blog.

*Subscribe to my blog by email. (3  entries)
*(current giveaways)Enter The Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.
*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listings)

"Disclosure: sample was received to conduct review and company/pr providing the giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Review & Giveaway Mr. Biggs in the City

Mr. Biggs in The City is a must have book, it has Big Personality. The artwork is perfect, fun and entertaining by itself. Truly an original creative storybook. Even better Mr. Biggs is available in bilingual English–Spanish editions.

Mr. Biggs just wants to have fun and thinks the city is the perfect place to have fun. Sometimes size gets in the way of his fun. We had so much fun reading this book and looking at the art work. My son and I both are wondering if the squirrel has a name? I asked and he has no name but, he is Mr. Biggs best friend. We look forward to see more Mr. Biggs books in the future.

Mr. Biggs artist and writer Kevin Bloomfield graduated from the Art Institutes International in 2001. He has been inventing and designing children's toys for about 10 years. Mr. Biggs on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MrBiggsBooks
website http://kevinbloomfield.com/

Someone will win a signed Mr. Biggs in the City Book!

RULES: Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern November 30, 2011.
Open US winner. Leave your email in to post or available in profile, I will not search for it.
MUST complete Mandatory Entry. Winner will be chosen by random org. Entries that does not follow the rules will not win.

Mandatory Entry *Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect and visit Mr. Biggs website telling me a fact you learned.

********EXTRA ENTRIES***********

*Who would you love to read this book with?

*Blog about the giveaway linking this post (5entries)

*Follow both on twitter & tweet "#Giveaway Signed Copy Mr. Biggs in the City @lifesandcastle http://goo.gl/R462X #contest #book #win #holiday 11/30" (1 daily)

*Give this post a google+1 (1 entry)

*Give me a Klout +K (1 k per day, daily)

*Grab Holiday Gift Guide Button (3 entries)

*Stumble Life Is A SandCastle blog. (2 entries)

*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)

*(current giveaways)Enter The Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.

*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listing)

"Disclosure: Sponsor provided review item, and giveaway." No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

#LeapFrogParty was Hopping!! & LeapPad Wowed

The LeapPad is the must have toy for the Holiday Season!! With that said while purchasing it buy the AC adapter for home use and rechargeable batteries for on the go. It will save you time later because it will be used that much.

On Sept 27, the Leap Pad from Leap Frog arrived and I put it up till I had a minute to look it over with my son. The next day my son was home from school with strep throat and I also had it, we cuddled up and begin exploring the Leap Pad. WOW!! this little kids toy holds bundles of activites. No waste of money here this product is a cover it all product. A library of 100+ cartridge games, apps, digital books, videos and flash cards (sold separately) and it works with all Leapster Explorer games and apps.

First he had to explore the camera & video apps with 5" touch screen. My own little photographer and video maniac. We created personalized backgrounds & photos while adding our names. I adore the vocabulary lesson and the letter tracing. Games, book download, pet center, drawing center. My son loves the drawing center and his artwork has taken off with it.

Unfortunately, the device could not be connect before the party for me to get apps. It's was programed to reset, so I didn't want that to happen. Apps cost $19.99 and I can't wait for my son to try Alphabet Stew, he loves to practice spelling. The LeapPad is not just a toy it's a learning tool, with age appropriate lessons and games wrapped up just the way children like it. It ranks number 1 on my Christmas list for children and probably explains why my local Walmart has devoted an entire shelf with LeapPads on it.

After getting familiar with the products it was time to share with our guests at our Learn, Share, Create Party. Once the children got a hold of the LeapPad, they were in the zone so to speak. Moms tested it too and watched their children use it. It was very popular, no doubt. The children also enjoyed playing with the Leap Frog Interactive Map, Tag Books & Tag Pen. We printed frog mask for our guest to color. We also had activity sheets, coloring pages, and guests carried coupons home with them provided by sponsor.

Party Gusts were served a variety of special treats including Swamp Juice, Frog Cupcakes, Insect Cookies, Logs and Frog Egg Marshmallows. Can't forget popcorn, it makes you hop better. Frog on a log cupcake tops the cake with grass, water, Lily Pads. Printable frogs adorn the drink cups.

We retreated out side to give the little frogs some jumping room. We had frog hop races a short legged frog race & a long jump frog race. Played Frog in the pen and then we even played LeapFrog. The adults had to do it too, I may have to share that video. While winding up the play the children jumped on the trampoline and showed their best frog impersonations. Guest left happy and hoppy with special party favors I purchased for each of them. Our #LeapFrogParty was Hopping!! & LeapPad Wowed.

Disclosure: I was supplied with LeapFrog products to keep while participating in Mommy Parties in order to host and share with party guests. All opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday Linky 10/5/11

Strep Throat can't stop the LeapPad fun!!

LEAPPAD EXPLORER LEARNING TABLET

Note buy recharable batteries & ac adapter.

5Minutes For Mom & Go Graham Go, Mom Start, Jolly Mom, Two of A kind, Working on a full House and many more wonderful sites, sign up, and share your Wordless Wednesday.

Distance Doodler Giveaway & Glow Crazy New Glow Fun

Recently we got to try out some great products from Glow Crazy. The Glow Crazy Distance Doodler and the Glow Crazy Glow To Go. I have to say our favorite was the Glow Crazy To Go, simply because of portability. We carried it with us to my sons doctor visit, doctor came through and said, "why are y'all in the dark?" My son proudly showed him and he said, "I have to get this for my son." In the middle of the colored canvas it zips up to store your stencils, handy handle for carrying, elastic band to hold glow wand pen in place, and velcro close.

One thing I love about the Glow Crazy wand pen is when letting go of the button the light goes off, your words are clear. Also, saves on battery use!! My son and I have used both to practice spelling words, drawing, and writing his name. We enjoy our bedtime drawing and spelling routine now. we can lay in bed with the distance doodler draw and write across the room. He just knows it cool and fun, so don't tell him all the spelling lessons I've sneaked in:)

Both Glow Crazy products are fun and entertaining. Both my boys enjoyed playing with them. They are fascinating for people of all ages.

The Glow Crazy Distance Doodler ($24.99) & Glow Crazy Glow To Go ($19.99) can be purchased online at Glow Crazy. Customers who order the Distance Doodler on their website can receive an exclusive free bonus pack including 1 Light Writer, 5 Canvas Wall Clings and 4 Stencils (just pay $5.95 p&h). The Glow Crazy TV Commercial is currently airing @ http://www.youtube.com/user/GlowCrazyToys#p/a/u/0/mrsKg9HCI1A

Want to play with more permanent glow paint, visit www.glowtivitycenter.com, click ‘Glow Games’ and draw online! No mess! There are 5 paint colors to choose from. Print other fun Glow Crazy stencils available at the Glowtivity Center in the ‘Activity Center’ tab.

GlowCrazy have designed Christian themed stencils free for all GlowCrazy Facebook fans. Being a Christian-based company, GlowCrazy is proud to announce their 1st line of free limited edition Christian-themed stencils for children to incorporate their faith into their playtime each day. The Christian Stencils are being featured on our GlowCrazy Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/glowcrazy. The first line of Christian stencils is based on the Noah’s Ark theme!



Thanks to Glow Crazy one of my readers will win a Glow Crazy Distance Doodler. What's in the Giveaway Box?
1 Dual Action Magic Light Wand
2 Large Reusable Wall Canvas Clings
4 Stencils
Instruction Booklet

RULES: Contest closes 11:59pm Eastern September 29, 2011.
Open US winner has 2 days to respond to my email
Leave your email in to post or available in profile, I will not search for it.
MUST complete Mandatory Entry. Winner will be chosen by random org. Entries that does not follow the rules will not win.


Mandatory Entry *Follow Life Is A SandCastle via Google Friend Connect and let me something you like from the Glow Crazy video or way cool way plan to use the distance doodler.


********EXTRA ENTRIES***********
*Blog about the giveaway linking this post (5entries)
* Follow all on twitter & tweet " #win Glow Crazy Distance Doodler @GlowCrazy @lifesandcastle 9/29 http://goo.gl/DMaoK #giveaway #contest" (1 daily)
*Become a Glow Crazy's Facebook fan. (3 entries)
*Become my face book fan. (2 entries)
*Give this post a google+1 (1 entry)

*Give me a Klout +K (1 k per day, daily)
*Subscribe to my blog by email. (2 entries)
*(current giveaways)Enter The Night Owl Mama or giveaways on my site- one entry for each you enter.
*Add this giveaway to a contest linky & leave link (3 entries each link, up to 3contest listings)

"Disclosure: Glow Crazy supplied some information, sponsored the review items and giveaway prize. All opinions are my own.

Celebrate Get Caught Reading Month- FREE POSTERS

Celebrate Get Caught Reading Month with DINOSAURTRAIN’s “Buddy” and SID THE SCIENCE KID’s “Sid.” They are participating for the first time this year in May’s Get Caught Reading Month, organized by the Association of American Publishers as part of its annual nationwide campaign devised to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read.

According to the Association of American Publishers, research indicates that early language experience actually stimulates a child's brain to grow and that reading to children gives them a huge advantage when they start school. To that end, the members of the association hope to encourage people of all ages to enjoy books and magazines and to share that pleasure with the young children in their lives. The “Buddy”and “Sid” posters will be available at http://www.getcaughtreading.org

All posters are free, with a $5.00 per set charge for shipping & handling, whether you order one poster or 12. A set is defined as any number of posters that you order between one and 12. The order form can be found at http://www.getcaughtreading.org/orderforms/GetCaughtReading-PosterOrderForm.pdf

Get Caught Reading Month has been supported in the past by such well-known figures as former First Lady Laura Bush, Drew Carey,Whoopi Goldberg, Derek Jeter, Vernon Jordan, Jake Lloyd, Rosie O'Donnell, Dolly Parton, Jane Seymour, Sammy Sosa, Erik Weihenmayer, and Robin Williams, all of whom have been "caught reading" their favorite books and magazines for print ads and posters seen by millions of people across the country. In addition, more than 200 Members of Congress have been photographed "caughtreading" on Capitol Hill. All of these images are available at http://www.getcaughtreading.org/

As part of the Get Caught Reading in May, my children got to review the following books:

The Buddy & Friends board book
A Surprise for Mom!
Tiny Learns to Fish

My children have always been big fans of the PBS series Dinosaur Train and love watching the show and reading books of it too. When reading the books with my boys we are building their confidence, vocabulary, and spending family time together.

The Dinosaur Train books promote family, sharing, interaction, team work and learning. In the book Tiny Learns to Fish, Buddy and Tiny learns to work together to accomplish a common goal and learns team work. A Surprise for mom the family seek gifts to share with mom for her special day. The Buddy & Friends Board Book was one of my sons favorite because it had many different dinosaurs in it. I liked the pronunciations on the page to help pronounce the names of the different dinos.

Dinosaur Train on PBS: http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/
The Jim Henson Company: www.henson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hensonparents
Geocache: www.geocaching.com/dinosaurtrain

Disclosure: Company or PR provided me with a complimentary product for trial. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.