giveaway

We had such a fun time running this year’s KSW Kohl’s Cares for Kids Summer Reading Giveaway. Your comments turned us on to so many great new books (summarized list coming soon) and even better, we heard some wonderful ways parents, soon-to-be parents, daycare workers, and grandparents are incorporating reading into their children’s lives. We were so inspired, we just had to choose those comments as the winners of the contest. Here’s a peek at what these mindful parents and soon-to-be moms had to say:

“I am 6 months pregnant with my first chid, but I have started to read outloud whenever I read a book. My husband does the same thing when he is reading next to me.” ~ Alexis Hernandez

“On hot days (like today) we spend quiet afternoons in the tent inside reading books. The kids love it! Especially when we make popcorn.” ~ Katie

“To encourage reading…I have my 8 year old read a book to my 2 year old, which then inspires my 2 year old to read a book to our yellow lab Sadie:)” ~ Tangie

“The Daycare Kiddos and I love to read. I have a huge front porch and have filled it with rocking chairs, benches, little chairs.. Everything so the kiddos and i are comfy out there. We watch the traffic, and then it is reading time. They love it.. We love to sit on the front porch and read.. Going on a Bear Hunt.. or The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
I also read to them right before naptime, as they are laying on their little beds, today’s book was the Napping House.. they loved it.” ~ Maureen

“Reading is great. It’s so great that once a week I take my son to the library for him to choose his own books. He loves it. We even got him his own library card so he feels special. This fits great for our family.” ~ Keonte

Congratulations Alexis, Katie, Tangie, Maureen and Keonte we’ll be contacting you soon

We enjoyed reading your comments so much and hearing your personal stories that we’ve decided to keep the summer reading ideas coming. Do you have your own personal way of sharing your love of reading with your child or incorporating storytime into your family life? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Just share your ideas in the comment section of this post. We’ll share the most creative entries with our readers and even link back to your site (if you have one). Leave as many comments as you like and comment often, you never know there just might be a prize or two involved for some of you.

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Kohl’s Cares for Kids Giveaway

by Stacy on May 28, 2009

Kohl’s has cooked up a great way to keep kids reading through the summer months. Now through the end of June, Kohl’s is offering “Duck at the Door” and “Duck Soup” by New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Jackie Urbanovic along with coordinating plush toys.

Max the duck and Brody the dog, along with the coordinating books, are available for only $5 each at all Kohl’s stores and online at Kohls.com as part of the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program.

Through the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program, 100 percent of the net profits from sales of the Duck books and plush toys will benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide. Since the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program’s inception in 2000, Kohl’s has turned $5 merchandise into more than $126 million that has made a positive impact on the lives of children across the country.

In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl’s Cares for Kids features the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program, which will recognize more than 2,000 young volunteers in 2009 with a total of nearly $350,000 planned in scholarships and prizes; the A-Team Program, which encourages associate volunteerism and provided more than $5.6 million in grants to youth-focused nonprofit organizations; and fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit http://www.kohlscorporation.com/.

This year, KSW is helping Kohl’s spread the word about the Kohl’s Cares for Kids program by giving away 5 sets of Max the Duck plush toys and coordinating books. That’s right, there will be 5 lucky winners!

Enter to win this outstanding prize package by leaving a comment stating one of the following: your child’s favorite book, your favorite book to read with your child, or an interesting way you’ve incorporated reading into your family’s lifestyle.

Contest Ends Saturday, 6 June at 11PM CST

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EcoStore USA Review and Giveaway

by Stacy on May 12, 2009

Some reviews are hard to write, you are either not that impressed with the product or drastically uninspired to write anything eloquent. That is certainly not the case when it comes to reviewing Eco Store USA. In fact, the reviews were practically written by the second day we started using their products. Hesitant it could be that easy, I have waited a few weeks (make that a month) to make sure none of my feelings about the products have changed. Let me assure you, they have not.

Product #1: Ecostore USA Baby Moisturizer $8
This moisturizer could not have arrived in my household at a more perfect time. We had just moved from a harsh winter in Germany to a dry warm climate in Texas, with record breaking hard water. Almost immediately my family’s skin started to dry out and crack. My husband and I had purchased two different moisturizers – neither of which was helping our condition. When the EcoStore Moisturizer arrived I quickly rubbed a bit on my hands and was pleasantly surprised. The smell is a citrusy, clean scent perfect for my daughter and my perfume sensitivities. The moisturizer goes on smoothly and instantly traps moisture into your skin. Since this moisturizer is made for babies, it does have a bit of a greasy feel that lingers (just what a little one needs). My daughter giggles in delight each morning when I massage this moisturizer into her skin. My husband’s cracked hands are healing and the tight skin around my expanding belly feels a little more like its old self. I would definitely recommend this moisturizer to others and would love to gift it to my friends.

Why KSW loves it: The clean, citrusy smell and moisture trapping consistency. Once we started putting it on our hands, we could not stop. Also, I love the way it makes my toddler’s legs feel baby soft all over again.

Tip: We found this moisturizer works better as an all-day lotion, than an after bath lotion. You just won’t feel all the yumminess of this lotion if your skin was recently wet.

Product #2: Eco Baby Body Wash $10
If you knew my husband, you would really get an understanding of how terrific this baby wash is. To say he is a bit of a naysayer is an understatement. He also believes that all things “green” are a hoax. He judges all things to the same standards – HIS, and I assure you they are always high. Who better to evaluate a bath product for kids, right? Opportunity struck one weekend while my kids were in the tub and I was in the shower. Hubby popped in to see if he could lend a hand with the bathing process, so I asked him to soap up the kiddies. By the way, I mentioned, let me know what you think of the bath wash, I’m doing a review on it for the website. “Great”, his enthusiastic reply in an oh-so-condescending tone. Bath time came and went without squeals, obsessive crying or any toddler meltdowns. “So, what did you think of the bath wash”, I called out from the shower? This might be the greatest stuff ever, he replied just out of my line of sight. I stuck my head out assuming he was mocking me. “Really?” I said? Yeah, it’s great.

Why KSW loves it: Unlike most baby washes, this one is ultra thin. This makes it perfect for rinsing off toddlers and infants who do not like getting water in their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. They rinse clear in just seconds and smell delicious.

Product #3: Eco All Purpose Spray
I put this All-Purpose spray on the same level as the Clorox Anywhere Spray. It is green, mild and can be sprayed just about anywhere. I’ve used this a few times around the house so far, but I admit I am saving this for when the new baby comes. It will be great for wiping up the endless spills associated with newborns (spit-up, drool, and more)

Why KSW loves it: I am not afraid to spray my baby play-mats with it and then let my baby crawl around afterwards.

And now for the part you’ve all been waiting for … Melissa of EcoStore USA was gracious enough to give us a $25 Gift Card for one lucky KSW reader. If you’d like to try $25 in fantastic eco-friendly products then just follow theses steps

Ways to Enter to Win a $25 EcoStore USA Gift Card

1. Leave a comment on this post stating how you’d spend your EcoStore USA Gift Card (Required – 1 Entry)

2. Tell your friends about this giveaway, if they mention your name in their comment you’ll get an extra entry (Optional – 1 Additional Entry per mention)

3. Tweet about this giveaway, be sure to add @steet to your tweet so I’ll be able to see it (Optional – 1 Additional Entry)

** Be sure to enter your email address so we’ll be able to contact you if you win **

Contest ends Sunday, 17 May 9pm CST

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Amazing WFB Easter Giveaway

by Stacy on March 30, 2009

Now here’s a giveaway all parents/bloggers should get excited about. Wholesale Furniture Brokers have decided to giveaway $500 in Kids furniture to one lucky blogger. Even better, If there are more than 100 entries, they’ll giveaway 2 prizes!!

Here’s the official rules of the WFB Easter Blog contest:

Celebrate Easter with your kids by winning new furniture for them. We want you to let us know what kids furniture you want to reward your kids with and why on your own blog post. Be creative and let us know why you and your kids deserve it. If you convince us that you deserve the kids furniture the most out of all the contestants, you’ll win a $500 gift certificate towards FREE kids furniture. On Tuesday, April 14, 2009, we will review all of the blog entries for this contest and choose the winner. The winner will be the contestant with the most creative and authentic blog post that inspires others to post comments, bookmarks, and write their own blog posts about it.

We will give away a second $500 gift certificate towards FREE kids furniture if we have more than 100 contestants!

How to Enter:
Write a blog post that includes the following:
1. In 100 – 200 words, explain which kids furniture item you would like to win your kids for Easter. Convince us why you deserve to win. (Item must be chosen from Wholesale Furniture Brokers.)
2. Include a link to the furniture you’d like to win. (Don’t worry, if you win, you can change your mind.)
3. Link to one of our kids furniture categories. (See contest rules for details)
4. You’re authorized to use any image from WFB in your post.
5. Publish your post.
6. Notify us by email at KidsFurnitureContest@GoWFB.com.

The deadline for entries is Monday, April 13, 2009.

Stumped on how to go about entering? Well, here’s my take on it:

————————————————————————————————

Three Reasons my kids deserve to win:

1. My children have no furniture ~ Yep, I said it NONE. If you’ve followed the site you’ll probably remember we recently moved all the way from Germany to Texas. Making a continental move like that, really forces you to choose which items you’ll be taking with you to your new home. Since my kids were transitioning from cribs to real beds and everything we had was a mish-mash of hand-me- downs, we decided to leave it all behind. Now that we’re in the States, the kids could really use some new furniture. In fact, right now they’re sleeping on mattresses on the floor with little piles of clothing stacked all around them. C’mon WFB, help us out, and FAST (why? See #2).

2. There will soon be three of them ~ My third child is due at the end of April. A three year old, a two year old, and pretty soon a newborn with no furniture. I know, I’m a bit ashamed myself. Still, that’s a lot of furniture to acquire at a time when splurging on things like children’s furniture just isn’t in the cards. Again, WFB – we could really use your help

3. We’ve already made great plans for it ~ Don’t believe me? Check out this adorable toddler’s room thrown together on a super tight budget.

Inspiration Piece – Sunday Funnies Dresser

sunday_funnies

Toddler Spring Garden Party Room

Garden_Party

Note: The colors of the actual items are much brighter than they appear in these images

Lavender Gingham Panels from Target ~ $6 (Darn, these SOLD OUT)
LED accent lamps from Target ~ $11
Ikea Lack Bookshelf ~ $129
Garden Party Sheet Set from Target ~ $20 SOLD OUT
Flower Wall Peg set from Target ~ $11
Ikea Lack Table ~ $13
Scandi Bean Bag from Target ~ $30

If I win, I’ll probably grab a box spring from Craigslist and then attempt a DIY picket fence headboard.

For a cheap way to finish off the look, I’ll use tons of these around the room

nylon_flowers1

The paper flowers are from Oriental Trading Co, 12 for $5.99 – I found nylon flowers similar to these at Hobby Lobby in all sorts of bright colors really cheap

That’s a complete girls room fully decorated for just $230, that’s a price tag I can live with

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Gimme My Jimmies Giveaway

by Stacy on March 7, 2009

If you’ve got young kids in the house, then most days you probably feel as if you’d do just about anything to listen to some real music for a while. You know the kind that you actually don’t mind being stuck in your head all day long. While KSW may not be able to solve this dilemma completely, but we do feel there should be some sort of middle ground. You know, a place where music is entertaining for children and well, not so grating to us … enter the new KSW Presents Parent-Friendly Music series. We’ll try out many of the new tunes so you don’t have to and then let you know all about them right here. To get this series started, we’ve chosen an up and coming, hip NYC-based rock band for kids known as: The Jimmies you certainly won’t want to miss.

The Jimmies
http://GimmeJimmies.com
-An Oppenheim “Best Toy of 2009″ & Parents Choice Award Winner
-#1 on Sirius/XM Radio’s KidsPlace
See The Jimmies live at: Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, The Target Book Fair, World Cafe Live & The Bushnell

This five-man group (um,I mean four guys and one amazing girl) has managed to find a way to tap into their inner child and produce some of the most creative kiddie music I’ve heard in a long, long time. Since the moment I downloaded the CD, it’s playful lyrics and up tempo beats have had my toes tapping and my head bobbing (just as promised). It’s as if suddenly, someone made children’s music fun again and I get that “I’m a big kid again” feeling. Love that feeling, don’t you?

Why We Love It: Something about the Jimmie’s enthusiasm to entertain children speaks to us. We love the way they have taken ordinary topics and turned them into something truly extraordinary and educational at the same time.

KSW’s Recommended Tracks:

Hupsha – silly children’s reggae – perfect for getting the kiddies awake in the AM without going crazy in the process

PB & J- a zany take at a boring staple (not to mention some great new lunch ideas for parents)

Birthday Song – finally a great alternative to a tired old classic – you’ll want everyone singing this at your next birthday party

Toddler Recommended Tracks:

What’s on Your Shirt – my three year old REALLY enjoyed this song and was singing along mid-way through the first time I played it

And now for the really fun part … The Jimmies are graciously GIVING AWAY a CD to one lucky KSW reader!

Three Ways to Enter:

1. Leave a comment here to be automatically entered to win

2. Visit The Jimmies website, watch the videos and leave a new comment here saying which one was your favorite and why

3. Twitter a link to this giveaway - come back and leave another new comment with your Twitter name (I’m @steet if you want to follow me.)

Feel free to do all three to gain several entries to win! You have until 10pm EST on Sunday, March 15, 2009, to enter.

This Giveaway has officially ended. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Comment #11 - Wendy G {aka @MyGreenSide on twitter} for winning this fabulous giveaway. We’ll contact you soon to make arrangements for you to receive your CD.

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