Happily Blended Blog | Positive Lifestyle | NH Mom Blog

CLOSED: Generation Cures Zebrafish Book Giveaway

Published on August 3, 2010 by brandyellen in giveaways, Product Reviews

I am not sure if you are familiar with the website Generation Cures, but in September of last year I share the website with my readers, you can visit the blog post Generation Cures: Nate’s Challenge to learn more. Today I am writing to share some exciting news with you all as well as offer a giveaway for Zebrafish. This is an extension of an online animated series by the same name developed specially for Generation Cures and came out in Spring published by Simon & Schuster.

First I will let you all know that since introducing my daughter to Generation Cures in September of 2009 she continues to play on the website knowing that it means she is helping other children. Miss Ki will often tell friends and family about Generation Cures and the purpose. I feel it fitting that I take a moment to share a bit about Generation Cures, and since it is a movement of a hospital about 2 hours away from me, I can say it hits home for this New England blogger!

ABOUT GENERATION CURES
Generation Cures, a philanthropic movement of Children’s Hospital Boston founded in May 2008, inspires kids to help cure other kids, through engagement on their own terms by way of Hospital fundraising programs, local fundraising activities and digital media – to care about others, to believe they can make a difference and to mobilize their families to help find cures for the world’s most debilitating childhood diseases.

GENERATION CURES RECEIVES AWARDS

“Website of the Year” by Mom’s Choice Awards, which recognize excellence in family-friendly media, products and services.
“Kid Zui Seal,” from the leading kids’ web browser KidZui, given by a review board of 200-plus teachers and parents.
Gold Davey Awards, honoring creative excellence, out-of-the-box thinking and exceptional execution.
Parents’ Choice Awards: Fall 2009 website.

ABOUT ZEBRAFISH
Zebrafish is a book published by Simon & Schuster that arrived in bookstores this spring. An extension of an online animated series by the same name developed specially for Generation Cures, Zebrafish– named after the small, yet powerful, transparent fish used for studying disease– tells the story of friends who form a rock band. The tween garage band uses music to make a difference and encourages kids everywhere to change the world. Their first concert is a fundraiser for the hospital that treats their bandmate with leukemia. Zebrafish has already been endorsed by the Junior Library Guild and American Library Association for kids in middle grades.

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF ZEBRAFISH

Giveaway starts today and ends on August 18, 2010. I reserve the right to delete, without notice, any comment not following the rules set forth below. Winner will be randomly chosen using Random.org and contacted directly via email as well as announced live on site within 3 days of giveaway ending. Please leave one comment for each completed entry, as one comment will be counted as one entry.

Visit Generation Cures and tell me in a comment below what you like best about their site.
Follow @generationcures and @brandyellen on Twitter.
Tweet about this giveaway up to three times per day to @generationcures and @brandyellen including the link to this giveaway in your tweet.
“Like” Generation Cures on Facebook.
Follow Happily Blended through Google Friend Connect (right hand side bar – Happy Friends).
Subscribe to Happily Blended’s newsletter (right hand side bar has the link for sign up).
Subscribe to Happily Blended’s blog via email or RSS (right hand side bar has the links for sign up).
Share this post on your blog by writing a post including a link to Generation Cures (http://www.generationcures.org) and Happily Blended Giveaways (http://happilyblended.com/category/giveaways).
Stumble this giveaway on StumbleUpon, leave your StumbleUpon username in your comment below.

Good luck and have fun entering!

Tags: Children's Hospital Boston, facebook, Google, Google Friend Connect, KidZui, New England, StumbleUpon, twitter

21 Comments

Child expert Wendy Toone offers fun ways to expand your child’s mind during the dog days of summer.

Published on August 3, 2010 by brandyellen in children, parenting

Child expert Wendy Toone offers fun ways to expand your child’s mind during the dog days of summer.

We may be in knee deep in those lazy, hazy days of summer, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t keep our kids active with challenging games and activities that will keep their minds buzzing. In fact, here are some great rainy day and car ride activities that will challenge your kids to think on their feet!

1. Mind games can keep boredom away as well as physical activity. Even small children can follow an adjusted version of “I Spy.” Just be sure that the clues are age appropriate and not too tricky. Look for easy to spot shapes, bright colors, or unique characteristics (animals, common objects such as pencils, etc.). Remember to let them give you the clues, too, to really work their brains. Finding an object is different than coming up with a clue for an object.

2. Once your child is a little older, around 4 years or so, theme games can be played. A favorite (still) of my kids is the animal game. “I Spy”-like clues can be given, but your child must rely on their memory and knowledge of animals instead of looking for pictures or representations of them. These types of games are great for long car rides, and you can make them more challenging, as your children get older. Go in order through the alphabet…”I have a long nose and tongue” = Aardvark (or anteater, both will work in this case); “I’m totally white and live in the cold” = Beluga whale. Get it?

3. READ, READ, READ. Reading to your child, no matter how young, increases their vocabulary, imagination, and overall cognitive abilities. Hearing language creates synapses – the connection of brain cells. Most of us parents think that reading at bedtime is sufficient. And while bedtime stories create a wonderful bonding time between parent and child, so can reading a story with your child snuggled on your lap in a waiting room. Granted, you can’t be expected to tote a small library around with you at all times. But if you know your day will include a little waiting time, why not pop your child’s favorite book in the day bag. Or maybe a story you haven’t yet read to them? Or take advantage of digital children’s books that can be downloaded to your cell phone or iPod? These digital books can do double duty, as oftentimes they are books that are enhanced with narration (sometimes even music and sound effects are added), so your little one can hear the book as they see the words on your phone or iPod screen.

So the next time you find yourself exasperated trying to tame the savage beast that is a toddler with nothing to do, try a few of these tips. Not all of them will work at all times or in every situation. But hopefully if nothing else, it will spark your creativity to engage your child and use your waiting time as teaching time. For there is no better teacher for a child than his or her own parent. Good luck!!!

Wendy Toone is a child expert having owned and operated a leading franchise children’s fitness center and now producing MobiStories, Digital Books for KidsTM, as well as being a mom to her two children. To experience the world of digital children’s picture books, visit www.mobistories.com.

To download a free copy of Mommy’s High Heel Shoes for your PC or Mac, visit MobiStories.com and enter the promo code: MHHS0710. The offer expires 8/22.Mommy’s High Heel Shoes is also available for download as an app via the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad in the iTunes store where you can check out more great story apps from MobiStories: To order a hard cover copy of Kristie Finnan’s book, Mommy’s High Heeled shoes, visit her at KristieFinnan.com.

*This advertorial post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writers Network.

Tags: Apple, Books, children, IPhone, iPod Touch, ITunes Store, MobiStories.com, shopping

1 Comment

Just Be Yourself Part TWO

Published on August 3, 2010 by brandyellen in Blogging Support, Thinking Outloud

This is a continued topic discussion from yesterdays Part one post about being yourself as a blogger. I wanted to split up my discussion into two posts for the reason that today I am going to touch base on the type of bloggers who are truly setting up a blog to vent, be someone else or just don’t wish to share their personal life on their blog.

Maybe you read a blog daily and they are a review or giveaway blog, now it would be hard to determine a person’s character simply through reading reviews, giveaways and similar articles therefore my point of being yourself really doesn’t apply to strictly review & giveaway bloggers. I just feel like I am here on my site putting my world out there for all to learn from. We all need to learn from our own mistakes, I want everyone to know even though I firmly believe in positive thinking I am found to be negative from time to time. We are all human and should be open, honest and respectful to each other.

I also know that some bloggers set up their blog as a space to vent, rant and rave about whatever is going on. They may do this privately, meaning they do not tell you their real name, or maybe they are doing it publicly. A blog that has been set up as less of a personal space would make sense that you don’t hear about their personality as much, but you can read a personality behind vents, rants and raves. Am I right or am I wrong?

I know that if I see a person being negative all the time on their blog I am going to assume that they are a pretty negative in person, but that could be totally wrong. Some people do really just set up a blog and literally have it BOOM when all they are doing is giving themselves a voice they don’t normally use in real life or face to face situations. I am like that, in some ways. Meaning I am better at ranting & raving through blog posts or letters than to someone’s face. Just ask my Mom, she knew growing up that if she upset me she would have a long letter to read within 24 hours of how it made me feel and blah blah blah! I used to always write my feelings to people who upset me, it was and still is easier in a lot of ways.

So no matter what type of blog you have, if your blog is meant to be a place where you are trying to share who you are in real life, then please share a lot of who you really are in real life rather than holding back or misleading people to think you are a different person or in a different situation than you really are.

I have said my peace …. now it’s your turn …

Tags: blog, Chats and Forums, Directories, FAQs Help and Tutorials, Google, Google Reader, New York Times, social media, twitter

2 Comments

I Want One of Those Gifts

Published on August 2, 2010 by brandyellen in Holiday Gift Ideas

The holiday season is just around the corner and I am finding myself wondering about Christmas gifts already. For instance, what will I get for my three children? I know they have outgrown a lot of their current toys in our home and are needing some more imaginative toys as well as books to read. I am not huge on spending a lot of money during the holidays because I feel holidays are for for family spending time together and enjoying the company. I do enjoy getting my children gifts though because they do expect some form of presents on that special holiday.

The next person in my life I have to shop for this year is J, he loves computer techy type items as he custom builds computers on the side. I also am found getting J odd gadget type gifts for his stocking each year. That is why I search online for gifts for men, you never know what type of products you will find when searching for those types of gifts. You can find gadgets, prank gifts and useful gifts, all of which I keep an open mind for because J is a hard man to buy for.

Overall this year I plan to make gifts with my daughter for the external family such as my Mom, Dad, Step Mom, Step Sister, Sister and Grandmother. We usually only shop for holiday gifts for the immediate family such as the three munchkins and each other.

What types of gifts do you get during the holidays for your loved ones?

Tags: Business and Economy, Child, children, christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Gift, shopping, Varied Merchandise

4 Comments

Natura World Leaves You Sleeping Sound

Published on August 2, 2010 by brandyellen in Product Reviews

Natura Products (2) My family received a twin sized NaturaProtect Deluxe Mattress Protector and Washable Wool Comforter, which were provided for this review. My daughter was the lucky family member who was able to test drive the Natura World products and let me tell you what, she slept so well with her new mattress protector and comforter!

NaturaProtect Deluxe Mattress Protector

While my daughter was away at her father’s house I decided to make her bed with this new sheet and comforter as a surprise! When my daughter arrived home to see her new bedding the only response I received was “Mom nice try but you didn’t make my bed right. You are suppose to tuck the blanket in here and didn’t”. I had to laugh because I thought she would genuinely be excited to have new bedding considering we haven’t purchased new bedding in many years for her. She will be 8 in October and still has Dora the Explorer and Strawberry Shortcake bedding, which are two shows she has outgrown pretty much.

Washable Wool Comforter

Overall Miss Ki was excited about her new bedding, it’s just that she wasn’t overly enthused with the way I made her bed. Later that evening she settled in to her new bedding to get some sleep. Do you know what happened? My daughter smiled as she felt the comfortable sheet against her body, she smiled even more when she pulled the comforter not up to her neck as normal but up over her head! Miss Ki had the best nights sleep ever using this bedding, she wakes up each morning refreshed and ready to start her day. Miss Ki thanks me daily for getting this review product for her because, in her own words “it’s comfy and I always wake up with the comforter over my head, like I am snuggled in all warm and comfy all night long”. So from the words of my own daughter, who will be 8 in October, Natura World has certainly left her sleeping sound every night since she has started using their bedding.

INFORMATION ABOUT NATURA WORLD

NaturaWorld.com‘s allergy-free bedding is made with certified organic materials that are guaranteed free from chemicals during the growing and manufacturing processes.
NaturaProtect Deluxe Mattress Protector is a waterproof barrier between your child and his/her mattress (without the crunchy feel of plastic). It’s treated with Natural Silver to eliminate bed bugs, dust mites and other allergens on contact.
A wool core sandwiched between the waterproof barrier and cotton top buffers pressure points and wicks away moisture so your child’s bedding remains fresh and dry.
Washable Wool Comforter is filled with 100% pure virgin wool and covered in soft, unbleached cotton, the washable wool comforter is feels as comforting as a hug all night long.

OVERALL OPINION

I have to say after having many sleepless nights because of my daughter wandering through the night that NaturaWorld.com has made our family enjoy a full night of sleep and better yet has allowed our child to sleep better and more comfortably. I would highly recommend these products to anyone who has children who suffer from allergies, has sleep issues or quite simply just wants better, natural products for their family to sleep on!

Be sure to connect with Natura World on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclosure: I received the products referenced in this review for free. All opinions within the review are that of my own 100% based on my personal experience with the products.

Tags: Cotton, Dora the Explorer, Home and Garden, House dust mite, Natura World, Organic certification, shopping, Strawberry Shortcake

2 Comments

Just Be Yourself Part ONE

Published on August 2, 2010 by brandyellen in Blogging Support, Thinking Outloud

You know I have never been to a blogger conference in the 1 year and eight months that I have been a blogger, does this upset me? In some ways, yes, as I would love to put a face with the bloggers I have been reading about for so long but overall I am happy trying to pay my bills and get my own financial situation straight than try to pay the fees to get into a conference just so I can meet some people who may end up being nothing like their blogs portray them to be.

You know that type, I have read about the type too! Those bloggers who are one person on their blogs yet total opposite in real life. I can understand being slightly different in person. For example, I may come off as really outgoing and social on my blog and social media outlets but in real life I am shy at first and warm up quickly. Therefore reading my blog after nearly 2 years of blogging you are meeting the “real me” the one you have known for years. In real life you will meet this Brandy too, it just may take a little while for me to warm up. I do much better in social scenes than I used to, believe me I drive J crazy with how outgoing and social I usually am at times.

I have had the pleasure to meet and speak with a few bloggers and to be honest a couple of them were nothing like their blogs portray them to be. Do not get me wrong, the personality was nearly a 100% match, so I wasn’t shocked there but I have been shocked in other ways in that people are portraying themselves to live this life that in reality they are not living. Have you ever read someone’s blog and wonder how they can afford to do the trips they do when they are “alone” or maybe something totally different that just “doesn’t add up” ? I mean it’s none of my business nor anyone else a bloggers personal relations, but I just wish bloggers were a bit more honest about their situations.

Take me for example, I wrote about how unhappy I was in my marriage, I wrote about how I wanted the separation, I was convinced 100% that him and I were not meant to be, yet last month I write a post saying we are back together and I wrote two posts about Soul Mates on Moms Vacation Land. Now do I think this makes me look bad to some people, heck yeah it may but I really don’t care. This is my life, this is how I am going to live and I feel if I kept those honest thoughts from my readers then I would not be sharing who I truly am with you.

I am a person who makes wrong decisions but thinks they are right at times. I am a person who may raise my voice if provoked and I am a person who does get mad and doesn’t always think positive thoughts. Guess what? I bet you have seen every single part of me in that way on this blog at one time or another over the nearly 2 years of blogging, am I right or am I wrong?

So please people when writing a blog that is more of a personal space please share your real you, or at least the “you” who is closer to the real you because it’s such a disappointment to some people when they are expecting to meet the blogger behind a particular blog and then find out they are not that person. Of course you can do what you want with your blog because it’s just that yours. Just sayin’…