Monthly Archives: October 2016

This Elephant Can Help Your Child Fall Asleep-#Giveaway

Do you ever feel like you are fighting a losing battle trying to get your kids to sleep? If you are like most parents, you probably do some of the time. I recently found a book by Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin, a behavioral scientist who is also a life coach and leadership trainer. Carl-Johan has combined all these skills and experiences in developing the techniques in The Little Elephant Who Wants To Fall Asleep. This book is his follow-up to his #1 International bestseller, The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep. 

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The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep was a runaway success, exceeding 1.6 million copies and widespread media attention for its reported success in lulling children to sleep by employing positive-reinforcement techniques to promote relaxation.

The Rabbit garnered coverage far and wide for its reported success in helping children fall asleep using relaxation techniques. The New York Times featured the book in the “Letter of Recommendation” column back in April, with the writer stating: “A book whose powerfully soporific effects my son is helpless to resist.”

The Elephant Who Wants To Fall Asleep has the same objective of lulling children to sleep and improving families’ bedtime routines using all-new child-tested, parent-approved techniques. Beautifully illustrated by Sydney Hanson,  this book is recommended for ages 3-7. There are prompts in the book where you insert your child’s name into the story.

The book follows Ellen the Elephant on her journey through a magical forest that leads to sleep. Along the way she meets different creatures and has soothing experiences that are designed to help children relax and slip quickly into sleep. Ehrlin even gives tips for how to use the techniques successfully to help children get to sleep.

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Would you like a chance to win a copy of this great book? Enter the giveaway below.

Giveaway

Random House Kids is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a copy of The Little Elephant Who Wants To Fall Asleep. Thank you to Random House Kids  for the review copy and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

The Little Elephant Who Wants To Fall Asleep Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Books, Giveaway, Penguin Randomhouse, Review

These Are Songs To Uplift, Heal & Empower Children and Families

Growing up in New Jersey, Jennifer Paskow spent hours in her bedroom singing songs from Annie, The King and I, The Sound of Music, Oliver! and other Broadway shows, alternating with sitting at the piano with her clipboard, writing songs in the mode of Carole King.

With admiration for Raffi and his child-honoring philosophy, and inspired by the spirit of her favorite album from childhood, Free to Be … You and Me, Jennifer Paskow’s objective with Make A Circle was to make a recording that would feel like a hug for humanity. Produced by Don Boyette (Michael Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Gary Clark, Jr.) and mixed and mastered by Robert Carranza (Jack Johnson, Beck, The Mars Volta, Los Lobos, Ozomatli), the album achieves and far surpasses Jennifer’s goal.

 

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Make A Circle leads off by showcasing Jennifer Paskow’s rich, honeyed voice on Make A Circle, whose central message is to extend your love to others by learning to love yourself. The “love” theme continues with “The I Love You Song,” a peppy and very danceable straight up ode to affection. “On The Inside,” an anthem to self-esteem, encourages young people to look within to discover their intrinsic value. “Listen to Your Heart” sets its lyrics to a musical heartbeat and encourages a contemplative looking within for answers.

You can watch Jennifer sing Make A Circle HERE.

“I Am A Tree” connects us to one another and Mother Earth by presenting the metaphor of a tree connecting to the earth as an emblem of the oneness of all things, while “Celebrate This Day” urges physical movement to express the sheer joy of life. Continuing the celebration theme, Jennifer Paskow’s version of “This Little Light of Mine” is a manifestation of traditional hand-clapping gospel exuberance.

Celestial bodies receive their due in the wrap-up of this beautiful album. The soothing sounds of “Hello Moon” depict the wonder of being connected to nature and the universe, while “Long Time Sun” is an Irish blessing that Jennifer Paskow often sings at the end of the classes she teaches.

A trained music therapist and children’s music and yoga teacher, Jennifer Paskow has been an exponent of healing since she was a child. When not recording or performing publicly, Jennifer can be found teaching music at preschools and in a variety of “Parent and Me” music class settings, teaching yoga to kids living in shelters, and sharing her music with hospitalized children and their families as a volunteer with the acclaimed organization The Art of Elysium. Says Jennifer, ”Singing for kids in the hospital is a real highlight for me. I always walk away feeling joyfully inspired and rooted in my purpose. I’ve been doing community service since I was nine years old, and the ideas of giving back and supporting my community are deeply ingrained in my being. I believe in the interconnectedness of all life and that, as we give, we are receiving.”

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MAKE A CIRCLE TRACK LIST:
Make A Circle
The I Love You Song
On The Inside
I Am
Listen To Your Heart
I Am A Tree
Celebrate This Day
This Little Light Of Mine
Hello Moon
Long Time Sun
The I Love You Song (acoustic)

Make A Circle will be available on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby.

 


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Filed under Entertainment, Music, Review, Toddler

Blinky Bill: The Movie on Blu-Ray Combo Pack is Out Today! #Giveaway

It’s Tuesday and that means there has to be new releases! Today Blinky Bill: The Movie is available on Blu-Ray+DVD+Digital Combo Pack from Shout! Factory Kids.

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Blinky Bill: The Movie offers an immersive cinematic adventure that brims with fun, frolic, humor and action. Featuring an all-star voice cast of Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Rufus Sewell (The Man in High Castle), Toni Collette (Little Miss Sunshine), David Wenham (Lord Of The Rings), Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge, Maya the Bee-Movie), Robin McLeavy (Hell on Wheels), Barry Otto (The Great Gatsby) and Barry Humphries (Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Finding Nemo).

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Blinky Bill: The Movie  further explores universal themes including the importance of community, survival in harsh climate, the love between children and their parents, and ‘mateship’ – an Australian cultural idiom that embodies equality, loyalty and friendship.

Download & Print These Blinky Bill: The Movie Activity Sheets

Coloring Sheet

Spot The Difference Sheet

Find Now Sheet

Check out these YouTube Movie Clips

Red Hot! Clip

In Need of a Lift Clip!

The Best Explorer Clip!

Would you like to win this Dove Family Approved movie on Blu-Ray Combo Pack? If so, just enter below!

Giveaway:

Shout! Factory Kids is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win Blinky Bill: The Movie Blu-Ray Combo Pack. Thank you Shout! Factory Kids for the review movie and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Blinky Bill: The Movie Blu-Ray Combo Pack Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Family, Family Fun, Giveaway, Movies

How To Help Your Child Spend #EveryDayWithGod-#Giveaway #FlyBy

With all of the negative messages that our kids are exposed to every day, it is nice to find ways to bring positive, spiritual and inspirational words into their lives. I was so happy to find a great book that does that and is on a level my little ones can understand.

Every Day With God is the newest 365-day devotional from VeggieTales. It is a book that can be read together and older kids can read alone. There are 2 versions, one for boys and one for girls. The updated content and art in this new version make the book even better!

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Every day they can open the book to find a Bible verse, short devotion, thought of the day and a prayer. Through this book, kids can learn more about God as it helps them develop a habit of taking time each day to keep God close. More than that, the pages are full of words that can speak right to a child’s heart.

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The words can calm an anxious child, give courage to a fearful child, lift the spirits of a child who feels down and more. Knowing that God has their back and will always be with them is very comforting in a world that can be very cruel. As children grow they face many things that can really hurt them and this book can help them to know,  they are special and God created them perfectly.

When we read it aloud with our kids it can help spur thoughtful conversation. I like that I can quickly find the right verse to speak to a particular issue that might be needed. It is also a wonderful gift for any child and one that carries so much meaning. We will be adding this book to our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide which will be live next week.

Would you like a chance to win a copy? Check out and enter on our giveaway below.

Giveaway:

Propeller Consulting, LLC is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their choice of the Girl or Boy Version of Every Day With God Devotional. Thank you to Propeller Consulting, LLC  for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US and Canadian residents.

VeggieTales: Every Day With God Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Review, Spiritual

Step Back In Time at The Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid

We had a very fun and exciting summer and visited many great places. Toward the end of August we went to Lake Placid.  Even though we live in New York State, we had never been  to Lake Placid. Living in the Catskill Mountains, I was under the impression that the Adirondack Mountains were more or less  the same. Living on a lake myself, I just never felt an urgency to travel up that way. I am so glad we did though because it is so very different.

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I was truly amazed at how traveling a few hours in my home state brought us to a place that we were  in awe of. As my husband and I started getting closer to Lake Placid we were so moved by the beauty of  the majestic mountains. I think as we get older, we appreciate the beautiful landscape  of our great country more and more. My husband had me snapping photos on the highway. Don’t worry I was not the one driving.

We made our way through the shop lined streets of town to The Mirror Lake Inn. Family owned since the 1930’s this resort has been owned and operated by Ed and Lisa Weibrecht since 1976. Their son Andrew’s Olympic medals hang behind the front desk. The Inn overlooks Mirror Lake and every room has a lake view. There are always freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in the lobby along with coffee and tea.

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The staff at the Mirror Lake Inn were so nice. Sandy Caligiore the PR Representative for the resort made sure everything was set up and ready for our arrival and helped us plan our getaway.  The staff was there to assist us with anything we needed and were always around to greet us with a smile. We were so grateful for the warm welcome, luxurious accommodations and world-class dining they provided for us during our stay.

Our room was comfortable with a nice sitting area overlooking the lake. Waiting in our room for us  was a nice fruit, cheese and cookie plate and 4 Saratoga sparkling waters.

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We had dinner at the Taste Bistro our first night and it was fabulous. The menu is full of comfort foods infused with French, German and Italian elements. We started with their signature Fried Brussels Sprouts served with fresh lemon and sea salt. Our boys had the Kilcoyne Farms Burger which is of a half-pound of local beef served on a house-made kaiser roll with house smoked bacon, caramelized sweet onion, lettuce, tomato and NY sharp cheddar cheese.

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I had the marinated and Seared Tenderloin Beef Tips served with mashed potatoes, farm vegetables and balsamic onions. My husband had the Kilcoyne Farms Pot Roast made from pasture-raised local beef, caramelized root vegetables, and local potatoes. The atmosphere, food and service was astounding. The boys had Shirley Temples and my husband and I had fresh lemonade. We even shared some chocolate cheesecake with fresh berries for dessert.

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The boys wanted to swim in the indoor pool so we made our way down to the pool inside them main Inn on the lower level. It was nice and warm and had a very large whirlpool tub and large pool with a waterfall and bridge feature. There were nice chairs and lounges around to relax on as well as loads of soft fluffy towels for drying off.

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They were pretty exhausted after swimming and we made our way up to our room where they promptly fell asleep. In the morning we had the Adirondack Breakfast Buffet at The View restaurant and it was so good. A very nice assortment of eggs or omelets cooked to order, french toast, bacon, sausage, cereals, fruit, yogurt and so much more.

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After breakfast we had to go to Plattsburgh to get a battery charger for my camera. I have never left a charger home and this was a first. I could have kicked myself but we had to make the drive since there was nothing available any closer. When we returned we went down to the lake and the boys swam and then collected rocks that we are going to put in a jar as a memento.

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After that we had a dinner reservation at The View restaurant, a 17 time winner of the Wine Spectator’s Dining Guide Award.

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For appetizers, I had the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail that consisted of wild caught white shrimp, Marie Rose sauce, fresh horseradish, chardonnay vinegar, gelée and mustard greens.
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My husband had the Wheat & Greens Salad with Freekah green wheat, artisan greens, local fresh chevre and walnuts, shaved vegetables and raspberry-dijon vinaigrette. They were also doing tastings between courses. One of our little guys had the Italian Boboli Crust Topped Pizza with house marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and topped with pepperoni. Our other little guy had the 7 oz. Black Angus Strip Steak char-grilled  and served with french fries and bordelaise sauce.
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My husband and I had the Prime Beef Filet grilled and finished with Maldon sea salt, potato pavé, baby vegetables, glazed cipollini onions, tarragon butter and pinot noir reduction. The filet was exceptional, my husband said it was the best he has every had and I have to agree.

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We both had Cappuccino and Cheesecake for dessert and the kids had Ice Cream.

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After dinner we all went swimming in the indoor pool.

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We had the breakfast buffet in the morning again at The View and enjoyed it just as much!
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Afterward Seth Dow, an account manager for Mirror Lake Inn took me on an informative tour of the Inn and all the different rooms available for guests. He was a very personable and knowledgeable, young man who provided me with a tremendous amount of  information about the inn as well as the area. I was surprised to learn that the inn actually burnt nearly to the ground in the 1980’s and the only things that were saved were the murals that were cut out of the wall and the grandfather clock. You would never know though because it was rebuilt to look exactly as it originally had when it was first built.

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The entire inn is full of wonder, from the stuffed bear and other animals that are situated around the library to the memorabilia, books, games and more that fill the shelves and tables. The lovely traditional Tea Time is at four o’clock and is served in the inn but can be enjoyed on the rocking chairs on the porch overlooking the lake or in one of the parlors or library.
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We went down to the lake, swam and then took a family paddle boat ride. Mirror Lake is lovely, if you are not used to the temperature of lakes in New York State you might be shocked but even though it is colder in Lake Placid than on our lake the water was only a tad colder. I appreciated that as on the lake I live on, they do not allow gasoline powered watercraft. This makes the lakes so much cleaner and nicer to swim and play in. There is a sandy beach area for kids to play, lots of lounges, fluffy towels and paddle boats and kayaks you can take out.

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After the lake, the boys decided it was time to go to the outdoor pool, so we ventured up and spent some fun time in there. There are plenty of lounges, tables and chairs around the pool and the view of the lake from the pool is beautiful. It is very peaceful and serene all around.

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The grounds of the inn are gorgeous with lush landscaping, beautiful flower gardens and great views. There have a huge, outdoor checkers set and plenty of relaxing Adirondack chairs to sit and take in the breathtaking views of the lake and mountains.
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The charming town is foot steps away and filled with nice shops, restaurants and a movie theater. A very popular attraction is Whiteface Mountain. We had a blast and a great workout climbing to the top of  Whiteface which is 4,867 feet above sea level. We took the elevator that is inside the mountain down. If you go to Lake Placid do not miss the opportunity to climb this spectacular mountain.
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The Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid is a beautiful resort and destination any season of the year! If you love to ski,  you will want to visit in the winter. The Olympic Ski Jumps need to be seen and they are training on them even in the summer. In the fall the turning of the leaves draws visitors as well. Anytime you go, you are bound to be as impressed as we were.
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There is a spa downstairs for full pampering as well as a gift shop where I picked up a Mirror Lake mug to reflect on our time spent there whenever I enjoy my coffee or tea. Our days at The Mirror Lake Inn were truly a grand experience that we cannot wait to repeat very soon. Next time we want to go with all of our kids to make some great memories!

Let me know if you have ever visited The Mirror Lake Inn or Lake Placid? If not, is it a destination you are considering? Feel free to answer in the comments, I love to read your thoughts. You can book a reservation on their website or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 


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Filed under Attractions, Family Fun, Outdoor Fun, recreation, Travel

Finally a Pinto Horse That You Can Keep In Your House!

 

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What kids would not like their own Pinto Horse? How about one sized small enough you can keep it in the house and large enough to handle 150 lb riders? If you think it sounds good, how about no stall clean up duties are needed. You probably think it is not possible but it most certainly is. Magic Cabin’s 28″ Pinto Horse is all you need!

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This beautiful horse is as much fun to care for as it is to “ride.” When it is all decked out in its removable saddle and bridle, kids can use it for a chair, stool, or magical mount that carries them boldly into imagined adventures. The beautifully patterned brown and white Pinto features a handsomely detailed Western saddle. Take a look below at some photos I took of this great horse toy.

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This horse is a lot of fun and my kids love it! It also make a great prop for photos for parents and photographers. If you are looking for a very unique and sure to be loved Holiday Gift, this would fit the build perfectly and it is going to be added to our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide when it debuts next week. Horse is for ages 3 and up. Total measurements of the horse are 31″ x 9″ x 28″.

 

Check out all the other great items available at Magic Cabin. So what do you think, can you see what a great gift this would make?

 

Magic Cabin


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Filed under Christmas, Gift, Review, Toys

The Perfect Gift For Your LEGO Brick Lovers!

Do your kids love LEGO Building Kits as much as my kids do? If they do, they are probably something they are asking for all the time. Can you imagine their delight getting a box of their favorite building bricks and figures delivered right to your door? There is a new subscription box company for LEGO and Brick fanatics named Brick Loot! Subscribers receive a monthly box that is packed with unique, custom and never before-seen items that work with LEGO bricks and custom building. Every month when your child opens the box they will find 4-8 items hand-picked by Brick specialists who search the world for the newest, coolest products for kids to collect.

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Brick Loot was founded by a 9-year-old and these boxes are for ages 6-99. If you are 100, I guess you are out of luck.  If you would like to try this great subscription service I have good news. Mommy Ramblings’ readers can save 10% off Brick Loot by using the code “usfamily” at checkout.

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I would love to hear your thoughts. We think it is great and with the holidays coming up, it would be a great gift idea. What do you think?

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Filed under hobby, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, kids, Toys, USFG