Going home!

yeah we are going home...Kennedys MRI didnt show any changes so that is great!  We are going to see how the up in her seizure meds effects her tremors before discussing botox.  We will see all her docs in 1-2 months! 

Kennedys in MRI now

well I am just waiting for Kennedy to come back from MRI...shes been there quite a while, so I would think she should be back soon.  Then we have to wait for results...hopefully nothing new shows up!  I am not sure if we will get out of here today now or not.  Physical medicine didnt get to see her yet, and with the sedation from MRI they might not get a clear look at her neck muscles condition...so we might have to wait to see them.  I guess I have to wait to see what the doctors say.  Maybe we can do it as outpatient appointment. 

The FLOH Club (giveaway)

Here’s the story, of a lovely lady…who is now bringing together something very new and exciting, and very different from The Brady Bunch. Florence Henderson is launching THE FLOH CLUB, a telephone-based technical support service aimed to empower older adults.

“Its like roadside assistance, but for your computer,” said Florence Henderson.

The inspiration and face of THE FLOH CLUB is “America's Favorite Mom,” Florence Henderson, best-known as the matriarch, Carol Brady, on the classic hit TV series “The Brady Bunch,” which originally ran from 1969-74 and still airs in syndication in 122 countries worldwide, while never having been off the air in the U.S. Acknowledged as one of the top leading spokespersons in the U.S., Florence has been a celebrity spokeswoman for numerous products. In fact, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, based on consumer appeal, rated her #5 out of the 10 top television endorsers. So, it was no surprise when she was approached as a spokeswoman to help viewers get ready for the Analog-to-Digital TV Conversion in 2009.

Just in time for holiday gift giving to parents, grandparents and friends, THE FLOH CLUB, www.flohclub.com, enables members to stay connected with family and friends and tackle technology that they may find a bit overwhelming on their own. It offers affordable subscription plans and the comfort of North American-based experts available by phone to support them. THE FLOH CLUB is powered by Support.com, a leading provider of technology support services.
For young people, computers are fun and entertaining, a central and important part of their everyday lives. But for older adults, who didn’t grow up with computers, they can be intimidating and frustrating. And older adults often hesitate to ask for help because they don’t want to be a bother.

“I know how overwhelming technology can be. Only recently have I learned to share photos, video conference and send emails,” Henderson said. “I’m genuinely excited to help make technology easier for people like me through THE FLOH CLUB,” she added.
With THE FLOH CLUB, technology experts can guide members through the process of setting up, configuring and using hardware, and deal with a broad range of different software issues. Experts can either direct members or can safely and securely take control of the members’ computers remotely. Available seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, the service offers a broad range of services including:
 Stay Connected –Understand how to use video conferencing, instant messenger, and the power of social networks to connect with your kids and grandkids
 Education – Learn how to get the most from your PC, from simple tasks like email to making purchases online safely


 PC Support – Issues such as slow/poor system performance, networking, error messages, virus/spyware removal, security and data backup
 Support for Connected Devices – Includes wireless networks, printers, video conferencing and other peripherals
 Setup and Training for New Devices – Printers, digital cameras, MP3 players and other peripherals



On THE FLOH CLUB website, select adult focused products are also for sale including:

• Digital picture keychain – 1.1 inch picture frame allows you to bring over 100 photos with you anywhere you take your keys. 8MB memory - $29.99
• Digital picture frames – 2.4 inch bright screen fits easily in purses or pockets and carries over 300 pictures to brag about. Also offers clock and calendar functions. 16 MB memory - $69.99

THE FLOH CLUB offers multiple options with satisfaction guaranteed: annual subscription ($250/year), three-month subscription ($75/month), one-time empowerment service ($50 flat, covering e-mail, video conferencing, digital photography, Facebook, etc.). Additional FLOH CLUB products include tune-up and protect which includes anti-virus ($60 flat). Covering one computer per subscription, each plan also includes a monthly newsletter from Florence Henderson discussing technology for older adults.


More information about THE FLOH CLUB can be found on the website, www.flohclub.com. After the official launch in October, potential members will be able to purchase the service online for themselves or as gifts for others, read Frequently Asked Questions, and read a technology blog written by Henderson with technology partner Max Drucker. The website will evolve into a resource for tech issues, articles by experts, weekly tips and video tutorials by Florence Henderson, and branded and recommended products.


One lucky reader can win a three month complimentary membership, valued at $75. (It does not expire, but the three months must be used consecutively once the winner signs up on the site.)

To enter: Tell me who you think would benefit from this.

Extra entries:
~follow my blog
~subscribe to my blog
~follow me on twitter
~tweet this giveaway



Please leave a seperate comment for each entry. Please leave a valid email so I can contact the winner. The giveaway will end on Nov. 22 and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

Monday Mommy Madness!

So Kennedy is still in the hospital.  We are waiting today for them to do an MRI.  They have upped her seizure meds.  The type of movements she has do not show up on the EEG but they are pretty sure they are a type of partial seizure called EPC.  One of the meds she is on is the best for this type, so that is what they have increased.  She is doing better.  The movements are still there, but are weaker and she is much less stiff.  They are talking about possibly doing botox to help the stiffness and possibly the tremor(although it will not stop the misfiring in the brain).  This should make her more comfortable.  They are trying to get the physical medicine doctor to come down and see her today to make suggestions.  They want to do the MRI to make sure there has been no changes, before they go ahead with the different treatment and send her home.  She has had issues of stroke like episodes and damage in the past, so they want to make sure with new/increased activity that there is no new damage that they need to figure out.  So we are hoping for a stable MRI and that we should be home tonight.

I have had my laptop with me, which has been nice.  At times when Kennedy cant see the tv because her head has been turned to much I have been able to pull up a "watch now" movie from netflix and put the laptop in front of her.  I have also been able to keep up with my blog and have pulled the winners for a few contests this morning.

Winners!!!

Prehistin-  congratulations Sher!

Certain Dri- congratulations Miranda!

Anti-Monkey butt powder-  Congratulations kcatlin!

100 brochures from uprinting.com- congratulations Heather!

I will be emailing all of you in just a moment.  If you didnt win...keep coming back, there are many more giveaways going on now and will be posting a few more this week!  Thanks for all the followers! 

The Gate House by Nelson DeMille (giveaway)

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille delivers the long-awaited follow-up to his classic novel The Gold Coast.


When John Sutter's aristocratic wife killed her mafia don lover, John left America and set out in his sailboat on a three-year journey around the world, eventually settling in London. Now, ten years later, he has come home to the Gold Coast, that stretch of land on the North Shore of Long Island that once held the greatest concentration of wealth and power in America, to attend the imminent funeral of an old family servant. Taking up temporary residence in the gatehouse of Stanhope Hall, John finds himself living only a quarter of a mile from Susan who has also returned to Long Island. But Susan isn't the only person from John's past who has reemerged: Though Frank Bellarosa, infamous Mafia don and Susan's ex-lover, is long dead, his son, Anthony, is alive and well, and intent on two missions: Drawing John back into the violent world of the Bellarosa family, and exacting revenge on his father's murderer--Susan Sutter. At the same time, John and Susan's mutual attraction resurfaces and old passions begin to reignite, and John finds himself pulled deeper into a familiar web of seduction and betrayal. In THE GATE HOUSE, acclaimed author Nelson Demille brings us back to that fabled spot on the North Shore -- a place where past, present, and future collides with often unexpected results.


Thanks to Hatchette Books 5 of my readers can win a copy of this book!

To enter:  Follow my blog and tell me why you would like to win this.

Extra entries:
~subscribe to my blog
~follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway
~grab my badge
~add me to your blogroll

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only and can not be mailed to PO boxes.  Please leave a seperate comment for entry.  Please leave your email.  This giveaway will end on Nov. 22 and the winners will be chosen by random.org.

November is American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month®—a time to shine a spotlight on a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.

Visit StopDiabetes.com starting Nov 2 to find out ways to join the Stop Diabetes movement.

Share your Story and NurtiSystem will donate $5 for every story shared, up to $100,000.

Storytime Sunday: Chris Dreams Big

If you followed professional basketball during any of Chris Dudley's 16 seasons in the NBA, you'll remember him as one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league.  What you may not know was Chris was the first Type 1 diabetic to play professional basketball.  He is sending his message of perseverance and pasion directly to kids in his new children's book, Chris Dreams Big, co-authored with his wife, Chris Love-Dudley.  By raising awareness of diabetes, he also shows kids with challenges that anything is possible!  Dream Big!

Following Chris Dudleys retirement from the NBA, he founded the Chris Dudley Foundation, in which he is dedicated to educating and empowering kids with diabetes to live active and successful lives.  In recognition of his significant contributions both to the league and through his foundation, Chris received the NBA's J.Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1996 and the USA Today Most Caring Athlete Award in 1997. 

About the book:
Chris loved being a kid and dreaming of one day playing professional basketball!  Life was good, but one day Chris realized he was facing the biggest challenge of his life, being diagnosed with diabetes.  Chris Dreams Big is the triumphant story of a boy who overcomes adversity.  He learns he is not the only person facing challenges, and that many others have lived out their dreams by facing those challenges.

My Review:
This is a great book for children with special needs, medical conditions, or even just your everyday sports loving child.  I loved how he wrote about overcoming his struggle and how he grew up to be big and strong.  I loved how he showed this in the book with the pages of his hand size and feet size, that was a really cute touch.  This was a great way to get the children involved.  My kids liked comparing their hands and feet size to his.  This is a great book with a great message!

You can buy the book at amazon and chrisdudley.org.


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Cheating Death by Sunja Gupta, MD (review)

I enjoyed reading Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles that are Saving Lives Against All Odds.  The many stories from the doctors and patients are retold by Sanjay Gupta, MD, chief medical correspondent at CNN and The New York Times.  I first became interested in this after watching part of his special on CNN.  Although there were so many stories within this one book, that made it difficult to read more than a couple chapters at a time, I enjoyed reading them all. 

The book was written with a lot of medical information, but also shared so many personal(from the patient or doctors perspectives)inspiring stories.  I like how he started with a specific person's story, and while talking about many other issues/people through out the book, was able to keep the readers wondering what was happening with that first person. That really gave it an entertainment factor vs. medical book.   He touched on so many interesting topics of people "cheating death".  I like how although he talks about many newer areas of medicine that are helping people survive.  He also discusses how the medical community is not sure why in many circumstances these peole have done so well, while others have not survived.  Although he does talk about what could contribute medically, the difference in people themself,  or the difference in peoples will to live, I like that he does not discourage prayer and the belief in miracles and how they may possibly contibute to their survival.  I liked how he discussed stories of "beyond death" and  the controversy of medical community vs spiritual community. 

As far as the new medical advances, it has left me wondering more and wanting to check out more.  I feel like I might question more techniques/treatments used for certain illnesses.  I also would like to check out more about the use of just chest compressions.  I have been trained in CPR, but it has been a few years since I was formally trained, and am curious now if they are going more with CCR instead.  The book has pretty much left me wanting to study more on some of these topics. 

I am sure some in the medical community are going to debate this book and the techniques in it...as this is pretty much what this book is about, telling how the medical community doesnt agree on techniques and the processes that physicians and researchers have to go through to get techniques/treatments approved to be used.  As a lay person, I found the book entertaining, inspiring, and informational.

*disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hatchette books for review.

Custom Thank You cards from UPrinting.com giveaway

Holidays are just around the corner, ‘tis the season to be merry and giving custom thank you cards is the perfect gift to express your warm thoughts to your loved ones.  One lucky reader will be jingling all the way with a pack of 50 Custom Thank You Cards with envelopes, all for free! UPrinting cards are made from high-quality paper and cardstock and will surely bring holiday cheer to your friends and family.

Would you like to make them extra special?  UPrinting offers custom envelope printing.  Find a 10% discount by connecting with UPrinting through Yelp


Prize Offered: (50 ct.) 7 x 5" (folded to 3.5 x 5") Custom Thank You Cards with plain envelopes



Shipping: Free UPS Ground within United States

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs.

Prize code will be awarded on November 20, 2009 by email from UPrinting.
 
 
To enter:  Tell us how you would design your thank you cards.
 
Extra entries:
follow @uprinting on twitter
follow @colleen_mouse on twitter
tweet this giveaway
follow my blog
 
Please leave a seperate comment for each entry and leave your email address.  This giveaway ends on Nov. 15 and the winner will be chosen by random.org.
 
disclosure:  I will be receiving 50 complimentary thank you cards from UPrinting.com

Kennedy's admitted again

The last couple days Kennedys arm tremor was a little stronger, then yesterday that and her neck tremor were really strong.  The doctor wanted to admit her.  We had to go through the ER which took forever.  Got there at 5:30 and finally got to epilepsy floor at 1:30!  I think even if Kennedys tremors dont show up on EEG they are going to try to get better control of them.  They are already saying they are probably EPC epilepsia partialis continuous.  Right now she is hooked up and being monitored.  They tried a different med last night and she was good sleeping, but woke up and the arm started again.  So guess we just wait and see for now.

Little Bunny Stories ~ TheStoryHome.com

The Story Home is a great site to find books that your child can listen to on the computer.  They have a cute "Little Bunny Stories" series.  You can also find many fairytales from Brothers Grimm and Beatrix potter, and many holiday stories.  I think many children will enjoy listening to the stories. 

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

Loved it!  The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is in Green Bay WI.  Although many people go across the street to Bay Beach park for fun during the summer.  You can enjoy the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary all year.  It is a great outting for going for a hike, short of long, and visitting all the nature and wildlife they have.  We really enjoyed it last October on a gorgeous almost summer like day!  We saw more animals there than at the zoo in Green Bay.  The kids really enjoyed feeding the deer and geese. 

"The Well Behaved Child-Discipline that Really Works" review

As I started reading "The Well Behaved Child" by John Rosemond I quickly found myself taking notes.  His principles are very "matter of fact".  In the book psychologist John Rosemond shares seven fundamentals to effective discipline, seven discipline tools, seven top behavior problems and seven tales of the strange and unexpected.  Of course having a child with autism I was interested in finding some ways to deal with his behioral issues.  I do feel my child has the abilities to understand the techniques used.  I have been afraid to do certain things, because lets admit it ...they are difficult and take a lot of time and effort!  That is exactly this book...Rosemond says things may get worse before they get better.  To me it is pretty much mostly a matter of follow through and sticking with the discipline.  I think that is one of Rosemonds main points, be firm and dont give in.

Through the book he gives many principles to go by and give many examples of these principles to make them easily understandable.  These are helpful real life circumstances so you can "see" how they work.  He then gives you the 7 essential tools.  These are very discriptive and give again many examples to help you use these.  Having the 7 different tools is nice, as some may work for you and other may not.  He also says that it is good to have these different tools, as when you use one type for so long it may become less effective over time...then you can switch to a different type.

I liked how he included the seven top problems and gave examples of these problems, and ways to deal with them.  One of them I was hoping he would give more info on was "refusing to use the potty".  This was a shorter section, but the area I needed help with he later discussed in the seven tales of strange and unexpected.  I will most likely start one of his techniques this weekend to see if we can get this behavior solved!

I thought this was a great book.  It gave concrete techniques and examples.  I think these are ones that can help a lot, but the parents need to be willing to be strict and follow through.  No giving up!

disclosure~ I received a complimentary book by being a  member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program  http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

Timbavati Wildlife Park and Storybook Gardens WI Dells

Last month we went to WI Dells for the  weekend.  This was a kids weekend getaway, so we didnt do the traditional waterpark Dells trip.  We did visit a couple nice animal parks.  We really enjoyed the Tibavati Wildlife park.  There were many hands on or upclose encounters with different animals like garaffes, turtles, monkey, kangaroo, and many many more.  This is great for the younger kids , or those kids at heart!  So if you want a break from the waterparks, check them out! 

Bob vs. Cat    Kennedy feeding Giraffes

"Bella Basset Ballerina" book giveaways from Pretty Please Press

Bella Basset Ballerina

By Laura Aimee Garn

Illustrated by Valerie Sokolova

About the book:
Bella Basset is a pup when her mother takes her to see the famous Royal Borzoi Ballet for the first time. At the ballet, a dream is born: Bella wants to become a dancer! But in Bella's world, only Borzois can dance, so she has many obstacles to overcome before she can realize her dream. This is a story about dedication and perseverance, which may give children (and grown-ups) the inspiration to pursue their dreams.
 
About the Author:
Among Laura Aimee Garn's earliest memories are the wonderful times she spent reading picture books with her mother, who was a children's book editor and publisher. Many years later, Aimee devoted time each day to reading with her own two daughters. While Aimee's daughters were in their early school years, Aimee learned about character education as part of the school curriculum, and she decided to publish illustrated books that present messages about values in an entertaining way through Pretty Please Press.
 
Laura Aimee Garn, author of Bella Basset Ballerina and The Scritchy Little Twitchell Sisters, has worked as a dictionary illustrator, a graphic designer, a creative director in the cosmetics and jewelry industries, a floral designer, and as a freelance writer. Aimee is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and holds M.F.A. degrees in graphic design from Yale University and in writing from Columbia University. Aimee is President of the Board of NYC-Parents in Action, a volunteer organization that provides services and information to parents of children in New York independent schools to help prevent teenage substance use. Aimee lives in New York City with her two daughters, Louisa and Emma, and her husband.
 
About the Illustrator:
Valerie Sokolova, illustrator of Bella Basset Ballerina, was born in Lvov, Ukraine. She later moved to Minsk, Belarus, where she graduated from the Belarus State Institute of Theater and Art. Valerie has illustrated over thirty children's books in Russia, and has published books in the United States, including King Arthur's Courage, The Golden Books Treasury of Christmas Joy and Thankful Together. Valerie now lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband Alex, daughter Nikkie, and a friendly wild gecko in the basement. You can visit Valerie's website at http://www.valeriesokolova.com/.
 
 

My Review:
 
  I thought this was a darling book, full of an inspiring message...never give up on your dreams.  I think this is a great book for children to read, and realize that with persistance and determination dreams can come true. The illustrations are great.  Bella Bassett and all the characters are so lively.   Some of the words may be tough, so an older group of readers may be needed for help...but again, the children can be reminded that you need to work hard to be successful.   

What is great about books from Pretty Please Press is you can go to their website http://www.prettypleasepress.com/ and download vocabulary and concept building flashcards as well as lesson plans to go with each book. 
 
 
 
 
 
About Pretty Please Press:
Pretty Please Press publishes children's books that are designed to be read aloud and talked about. Each book contains a message about character and values that helps parents and children think and talk about a variety of issues. Pretty Please Press was founded in 2001 by author Laura Aimee Garn, and is now led by publisher Vera Venturi.
 
Currently Pretty Please Press has 20% off the list price for their books purchased through their site as well as "buy 3 get 1 free offer".
 

 
Thanks to Pretty Please Press one lucky reader is going to win not only "Bella Basset Ballerina" but will also win  "The Scritchy Little Twitchell Sisters", (which I will review at a later time).  Wouldn't these both be great for your daughter, niece, grandchild or for a classroom gift for Christmas? 
 
To enter: Follow my blog and  leave a comment telling me who this would be for.
 
Extra entries: 
 
~follow my blog
~subscribe to my blog
~follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway
~blog about this giveaway
~enter any of my other giveaways and leave a comment telling me you did(1 entry for each contest entered).
 
This giveaway is open to US residents only.  Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.  Please leave your email so I can contact the winner.  The giveaway will end on Nov. 22 and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

 
 
Thank you to Prettypleasepress.com for the free books for review and giveaway!

Twitter party Thursday night: IMAX, Disneys A Christmas Carol

Resourceful Mommy Media is hosting a Twitter party tonight from 9 to 10 p.m. ET with the hashtag #XmasIMAX. It is sponsored by IMAX and is in celebration of this weekend’s opening of Disney’s A Christmas Carol in IMAX theaters.

Readers can enter to win a prize pack that consists of one Disney’s A Christmas Carol poster and one book, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol: Movie Storybook.”


To enter:  
Become a fan of IMAX today at www.facebook.com/IMAX  and then comment here that you would like to win. 



Extra entry:  Follow IMAX on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IMAX


This giveaway ends tonight during the twitter party....the winner will be chosen by resourceful mommy from all the entries through many different blogs.  To find other ways to enter click here  There will also be 13 winners on twitter thursday night.

ATWT~My butterfly drawings

Since I am talking about butterflies today, I thought I would share a couple drawings I have done.

 

The Original Butterfly House & Insect House

This wonderful butterfly house is located on Mackinac Island.  We had so much fun there.  It is just beautiful being surrounded by all the plants and beautiful butterflies.  We went to Mackinac Island a couple years ago.  It is a great weekend getaway.  There are no motorized vehiclles allowed on the island.  It is full of beautiful scenery.  If you go, you must stop by the butterfly house and enjoy its sites!  The kids will also love the insect house and see those creepy crawly bugs! Dont worry those dont crawl on you, like the butterflies.  Wear a bright shirt if you go...they loved my husbands yellow tshirt.  He was constantly having butterflies land on him.

One Hundred Butterflies by Harold Feinstein and Fred Gagnon

About the book:

In One Hundred Butterflies, photographer Harold Feinstein showcases butterfly varieties from around the world, turning exquisite details into mesmerizing works of art. Feinstein's breathtaking photographs capture the color, vibrancy, and infinite variety of patterns that occur on the wings of these ornate insects. One hundred impeccably reproduced, oversized photographs allow viewers to appreciate the Blue Morpho of Central America, the African Birdwing, and the Asian Swallowtail at a scale and depth impossible to experience in nature. An elegantly printed deluxe gift book, it is a treasure for butterfly enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

About the Author:

Harold Feinstein's distinguished career in photography began in 1950, when Edward Steichen purchased his work for the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and exhibited it frequently during his tenure there. Feinstein's photographs have also been exhibited by and represented in the collections of the International Center of Photography, the George Eastman House, the Museum of the City of New York, and the Musie d'Art Moderne in Paris. His work has appeared in such periodicals as Life, Audubon, Connoisseur, and Popular Photography. He is the author of 100 Flowers, Foliage, The Infinite Rose, and The Infinite Tulip. Feinstein lives in Merrimac, Massachusetts.



Fred Gagnon is curator of butterflies at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, where he tends over three thousand butterflies from Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, and North America.


My Review:

Beautiful book full of many different species of butterflies/moths.  This is a large book.  The pictures are very large so you can see all the details of the butterflies.  They list the name and where the butterfly comes from.  There are so many I have never seen before.  I love how the butterflies all have their wings spread wide open, and are set upon a black background.  This really makes the design and colors stand out.  They have also shared some beautiful poems and quotes.  This really is a beautiful book.  

disclosure~ I received this book from Hatchette books for free to review.

Blog Tour: Author Susan Chodakiewitz

Too Many Visitors for One Little House

Have a look inside the book

About the Author:

Susan Chodakiewitz is a writer, composer and producer.  She lives in Los Angeles in a lively household filled wit music, 3 sons, a husband, a Dalmation and lots of visitors.  Susan loves picture books and several years ago she wrote a musical based on one of her favorites.  She realized then, it was time to start writing her own picture books.  Too Many Visitors for One Little House is Susan's debut book.  Booksicals founder Susan Chodakiewitz believes that children learn best when you engage their imagination: “I believe you can develop a child’s love for reading by expanding the world of a book beyond its pages. Bring the characters to life and bring reading to life. ” And this is precisely what inspired her to create Booksicals.

About Booksicals:

Booksicals is currently presenting musical performances of the book Too Many Visitors for One Little House. Booksicals works with schools,theaters and libraries, children’s literacy groups and corporate sponsors; to promote literacy and encourage children to discover the sweetness of reading.

http://www.booksicals.com/ (Click on link and listen to an Excerpt from Too Many Visitors for One Little House.)

My Review:

 Too Many Visitors for One Little House was a fun story.  There was a lot of action and excitement through out the whole story.  I read this while I was babysitting and all the kids really enjoyed the story.  My five year old and our neighbor's three year old really enjoyed the illustrations by Veronica Walsh.  They had so much detail that they spent a lot of time checking over all the pictures.  They really enjoyed reading about all the family visitting at the little house, and how the neighbors reacted to this.

disclosure~ I received this book for free from the author to review.

Bella Sara Trading Cards

Bella Sara unveils limited edition trading cards with new horses and secret codes to unlock brand new online adventures.  Bella Sara invites children to join Bella's Ball, the first official gathering of the horses in the magical land of North of North.  Children will learn more about the enchanting ballrooms of Rolandsgaard Castle while unlocking new adventures using secret codes. 

Bellas Ball is a new addition to the already exciting online world  at BellaSara.com.  The new series of Bella Sara trading cards will invite fans to a magical masquerade ball with Sara's horse, Bella, and their friends.  Using secret codes found in the set of 55 collectible trading cards, featuring horses, characters, scenes and stories, children will be able to unlock new adventues specific to Bella"s Ball. 

At BellaSara.com children can explore North of North, play games, and use their imagination to care for the land and their horses.  I was able to review the online site, while being sent two packs of the new Bellas Ball trading cards.  Even though these cards and online world are more feminine, my son who is 5 has enjoyed playing the games.  He does need help, as some areas there is quite a bit of reading, but there is also much exploring on their own that can be done.  He has really enjoyed the games like the spectacular jumping game and cloud jumper. I know the sets are geered more for girls, but think horse loving boys can enjoy the fun too.  This may be something they may get embarrassed about as they get older, but the younger boys would love the games and exploring North of North.  After having these for a week, Zach has independantly asked to play "jumping game" as he calls it.  I have found him independantly checking out all the different things they can do on BellaSara.com.  He really seems to like taking care of his own horse as well as playing the games.

I think girls would adore it!  They can take care of and buy things for their horses.  Bella Sara has also introduced the new Miniatures Series 2 set, which features 20 new velvety figurine horses, each with their own secret code.  These minis the girls would love!  I remember playing another popular pony collection while I was younger, and can really picture little girls loving Bella Sara items.  What is great about the online adventures, is that they are for private user only, so there is no inappropriate interactions with others online.  All info is private, there is no interactions with other people, and there is also parental controls to allow parents to turn on or off or limit the childs access through the website. 

Although I have a daughter that is at the perfect age range for these, she did not play this as her physical disability really limits computer use.  Using a keyboard is too difficult.  There is however a great selection of printable coloring pages, posters and other activities that she can use offline.  She also enjoyed looking at the beautiful horses on the Bella Sara trading cards and stickers that came with the cards.

For Bella Sara lovers check out their newly released DVD, Bella Sara Tales: The Adventure Begins. The 27 minute allows children to watch as Emma and Bella travel through the Northern Lights on a mission to meet Sara, the goddess of all magical horses.  The dvd comes with an exclusive Bella Sara poster and Bell'as Ball card pack, and bonus secret codes within the dvd package to use at BellaSara.com. 

Select Bella Sara products  can be purchased at Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, equestrian stores and at BellaSara.com.  They have  generously offered a 20% discount off any purchase of $15+ by entering the code 8EV2TBA6 at BellaSara.com

*disclosure~I received 2 sets of Bella Sara trading cards for free to review from Dittoe Public Relations.

Wordless Wednesday~ Hippotherapy

Why I need a bedroom makeover

 visionbedding is offering a custom bedroom makeover valued at $1,000 for the TwitterMoms blogger who posts the most compelling/creative appeal on "Why I need a bedroom makeover....”

I could really really use a bedroom makeover.  Between my dog and my fake puppy..ok my son...they are always getting into things and making my bedroom a mess.  I really would love a place to wind down and relax. 

I would love one of their photoblankets...so my kids could be with me...but not with me...you know what I mean...I love them to death, but enjoy my son not jumping on me while I am trying to nap!

Do you want to enter...go to http://twittermoms.ning.com/forum/topics/all-i-want-for-christmas-is

Hope for Animals and Their World~How endangered species are being rescued from the brink

By Dr. Jane Goodall, Thane Maynard, Gail Hudson

Audio book read by Dr. Jane Goodall

About the book:

At a time when animal species are becoming extinct on every continent and we are confronted with bad news about the environment nearly every day, Jane Goodall, one of the world's most renowned scientists, brings us inspiring news about the future of the animal kingdom. With the insatiable curiosity and conversational prose that have made her a bestselling author, Goodall-along with Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard-shares fascinating survival stories about the American Crocodile, the California Condor, the Black-Footed Ferret, and more; all formerly endangered species and species once on the verge of extinction whose populations are now being regenerated.

Interweaving her own first-hand experiences in the field with the compelling research of premier scientists, Goodall illuminates the heroic efforts of dedicated environmentalists and the truly critical need to protect the habitats of these beloved species. At once a celebration of the animal kingdom and a passionate call to arms, HOPE FOR ANIMALS THEIR WORLD presents an uplifting, hopeful message for the future of animal-human coexistence.

About the Authors:

Jane Goodall is the world's foremost authority on chimpanzees. An internationally renowned conservationist, she is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and has received many distinguished awards in science. Dr. Goodall is also the author of many acclaimed books, including the bestseller Reason for Hope.

Thane Maynard is the director of the Cincinnati Zoo.

Thanks to Hatchette Publishers 3 of my readers can win a copy of the audiobook!

To enter:  Follow my blog and tell me why you would like to win this.

Extra entries: 
~subscribe to my blog
~follow me on twitter
~tweet this giveaway
~blog about this giveaway

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only and can not be mailed to PO boxes.  Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.  Please leave an email so I can contact the winner.  The giveaway will end on Nov. 15 and the winners will be chosen by random.org.

African Lion Safari

 African Lion Safari ~Ontario

I have loved this place since I was a kid.  I think it is so much fun for young and old.  You can drive around and the wild animals are all around you.  You can feed the monkeys and giraffes.  You can get an upclose look at tigers and lions.  It is just so much fun!  I think this is a place I would like to visit soon with my kids.  They have not gone yet.  The last time I went was when Bob's twins were younger.  It is definitly one of the most fun animal attractions I have been to!
*editting this thanks to my mom letting me know we were breaking rules lmao....I guess you are not really supposed to be feeding the monkeys....not sure about the other animals that we fed, like the giraffes.  Anyways...if you want to go there...you might want to check out their policies on feeding the animals...oh and be cautious using your vehicle as these animals are climbing on them or walking near them.