May 3, 2017 · 4:12 pm

Can Frequent Gift Giving Lead to a Stronger Relationship With Your Partner?

This is a sponsored guest post. It may or may not represent the values or views of MommyRamblings.org

Gifts Strengthen The Relationship

Giving Gifts frequently in relationships can help to make the bond stronger. This is especially true when the couple is just starting out in the relationship. In fact, most people use gifts as a way to win the admiration of the person they are interested in. Gifts are bought more frequently at the beginning of a relationship, this slows as the relationship progresses, especially for guys who feel secure that they have won the girl they were eyeing. Truth be told, in established relationships, gift buying becomes less frequent or stops altogether. However, this should not be the case. Buying and giving gifts should continue as they help to increase the bond between the two to be even tighter.

Gifts Act As Security

Sometimes gifts work as security in the relationship. Different gifts are typically given at certain stages in relationships. These gifts signify the relationship is moving to the next level or getting more serious. Having said this, it is good to understand the significance of  certain types of gifts to avoid misunderstandings.

Gift Giving Should Be Mutual

Gift giving should be mutual. It is awkward to give a gift to someone who never gives you a gift in return. Look out for hints from your better half to know what type of gift they would like and surprise them with it. No matter the size of the gift, as long as it comes from the heart, it goes a long way to cementing the relationship in ways that can’t be explained. Giftstolast.co.uk has some great deals, check their website for creative, personalised gift ideas.

Gifts Come In  All Shapes & Sizes 

Gifts come in all types and shapes. Whatever your partner gets you, accept it and show them that you appreciate their efforts to make you happy. Take time to learn about your partner as this will help you know the type of gift to buy. Different people want different things. There are partners who want material things, those who want your affection and others who just want to spend time with you. If your significant other is the type that loves spending time with you, give it to the maximum as it worth more than anything. Taking an evening walk together, watching a movie or just sitting together may be your partner’s perfect gift, give it wholeheartedly and watch your relationship flourish.

Gifts Contribute To The Success Of A Relationship

Gifts are crucial when it comes to the development of a successful relationship. It feels good to have your partner do or get something nice for you, no matter if it was expensive or not; all gifts should be appreciated. However, it is also imperative to talk about gifts and the role they play in that relationship.

Gifts Affirm Love And Commitment

Gift giving gives the assurance that the relationship is alive and doing well. Gifts also act as constant reminders that the partners have each other’s back and that they can count on each other. Gifts prove that there is love between the couple. Gifts in relationships don’t have to be demanded, but should come naturally and are be mutual. However, if for some reason you cannot get your partner any gift, don’t feel bad, explain the situation to them and they should understand.

 


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April 28, 2017 · 11:49 am

Discover “The Explorers: The Door in the Alley” Book & #Giveaway

If you are looking for a great summer read for your 8-12 year old, check out this great book that arrived, hot off the presses, on April 25th! The Explorers: The Door In The Alley features a mysterious society, a secretive past, and a pig in a teeny hat.

This book by Adrienne Kress is the first book in a new middle-grade series for fans of The Name of This Book Is Secret, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and Series of Unfortunate Events. It doesn’t take more than a few pages to see why film rights have already been optioned by Disney!

The Explorers: The Door In The Alley is filled with adventure and danger. There are missing persons, hired thugs, a hidden box, a lost map, famous explorers, a risk-averse boy, and a girl on a mission. Not to mention secrets not meant for the faint of heart. But if you are feeling bold, or maybe even a little italic, and if you enjoy derring-dos (and doing dares), this just might be the story for you.

Adrienne Kress is a writer and an actress born and raised in Toronto. She is the daughter of two high school English teachers and credits them with her love of both writing and performing. She also has a cat named Atticus, who unfortunately despises teeny hats. Look for her online at AdrienneKress.com, and follow her on Twitter at @AdrienneKress.

This book is available on Amazon but you can enter to win a copy below.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House Publishing  is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of The Explorers: A Door In The Alley ! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

The Explorers: A Door In the Alley Book  Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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· 12:23 am

Hurry, The Discount Code for the Perfect Hands-On Summer Camp Expires Monday!

Can you believe it is almost May? I am really excited for May but if you were thinking about saving $75 on each summer camp registrations at Digital Media Academy, you will need to hurry because the offer ends May 1st!

Discover your child’s passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and math) through fun and exciting  hands-on project-based courses at a location near you. So, Get ready to #createthenext best-selling app, original video game and much more at Digital Media Academy technology summer camps for kids and teens! Remember you still have a little time to save $25 on each summer camp registration with the code TECHFUN17 but don’t wait long, it ends on May 1st. 

Popular Courses Include:

  • Intro to Java Programming
  • VR and Game Design Academy
  • Music Production
  • Wearable Tech and Fashion Design
  • 3D Modeling + Design
  •  Robotics + Engineering
  • Filmmaking Academy


Online Learning Throughout the Year

With DMA Online courses, you can explore exciting STEM subjects all year-long from anywhere! DMA Online includes over 10 unique courses, each offering up to 10 hours of self-paced projects and lessons.With the DMA Online All-Access subscription, users can get complete access to all 12 courses, too!

DMA Has Summer Camps Just for Girls, Too! Many girls may shy away from subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math because they are often seen as male-dominated fields. DMA’s Made By Girls initiative aims to build tech confidence in young women, and was created exclusively to support early positive experiences with technology.

Made By Girls offers immersive STEM courses taught by role models and mentors dedicated to empowering at Digital Media Academy.
It’s their mission to foster a learning community of diversity and excellence through memorable and innovative educational experiences led by the highest-quality instructors; building skills and confidence to empower lifelong learners, creators, and makers to follow their dreams and make a lasting impact.

 

If you have any questions, you can call DMA at 866-656-3342 or send an email to info@digitalmediaacademy.org to speak with a Camp Advisor.

*$75 off all full-day tuition for our Adventures, Teen, Academy, and Pro Series courses. Jr. Adventures students can save $40 on each registration. Discount may not be combined with any other offer. Some restrictions may apply. Offer valid until Monday, May 1, 2017 at 11:59pm PST.


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April 25, 2017 · 10:52 pm

Humor, Heart, Loss, Triumph, Friendship, Family, and Love Come Together on the Pages of “LEMONS”– #Giveaway

I am sure you are probably familiar with the saying; “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That is the something that 9-year old Lemonade Liberty Witt’s mama always told her. While Lem would like to do just that, it seems impossible that she could ever make lemonade out of moving to Willow Creek, California.

Willow Creek is a tiny town filled with tall pines instead of skyscrapers, and a Bigfoot lurking in the woods. Lem wanted to stay in San Francisco after her mama died with her friends, school and everything she loved. Instead, she was forced to go and live with the grandfather she never even met. 

Things seem pretty bad but then Lem meets 11-year-old Tobin Sky, the CEO of Bigfoot Detectives Inc., who is the sole Bigfoot investigator for their small town. After he invites Lem to be his assistant for the summer, the two set out on an epic adventure to capture the elusive creature on film.

In the end, Lem and Tobin’s big discovery ends up being more earth-shattering than they ever dreamed. Best of all, Lem learns that maybe she can make lemonade out of her new life after all. 

Humor, heart, loss, triumph, friendship, family, and love all come together to create the pages of LEMONS.

 About The Author:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book is written by debut author Melissa Savage, a writer and a child and family therapist. This is a classic middle grade novel in the vein of Kate DiCamillo, Rebecca Stead, and Patricia Reilly Giff. Her desire to write purposeful, issue-driven books for young people, coupled with her interest in cryptozoology and the mystery of Bigfoot, inspired her to write Lemons. Set during the summer of 1975 in California, this is one of those novels that you want to immediately read again after finishing. Savage wrote LEMONS partly to overcome her own grief after losing her son at the age of 9 months in 2012.

The Tobin character in the book is named after her own son because she wanted him to remain a part of this world. The character Tobin is what she imagined her son would grow up to be. Stoic and brave, as he was, but also scientific like his dad and as big a fan of Bigfoot and cryptozoology as his mommy! Melissa knows that losing someone you love is an extremely tough lemon, as Lem experiences in the story and she struggles with how to make lemonade again.  For Melissa sharing her son’s name and spirit with children all over the world is one of the ways she has learned to make her own lemonade. You can read an excerpt HERE.

When asked what she hopes readers take away with them after reading Lemons, Melissa answered, “Hope, first and foremost.” She wants them to know that there is hope and healing in the world, even after dealing with tough lemons, if you choose it and surround yourself with gratitude and people who love you. She also hopes that readers will take away a renewed acceptance of those who are different from them. Lastly, she adds, ” A newfound interest in cryptozoology!” You can learn more about Melissa HERE.

Great Summer Read

With summer coming this is a perfect read for kids, their parents, teachers and more! We are having a giveaway below where you can enter for your chance to win a copy of this middle-grade novel.

Giveaway:

Penguin Random House Publishing  is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of Lemons! Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review Novel and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Hardcover Copy of Lemons Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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April 20, 2017 · 1:56 pm

Meet Julia, “Sesame Street’s” First Character With Autism

Meet Julia, she has dazzling, red hair and loves her stuffed toy rabbit. Julia is the newest character on Sesame Street ,and while she has been part of the Sesame Street family in their books, she has just been added to the show.

Adding Julia to the cast is being hailed as a great decision that will spur conversation about autism. It is also helping kids understand and interact with peers with autism. Beyond that, it is inspiring for kids with autism to see a character represent the way they may act or feel.

 
I think Sesame Street has been around so long, almost 50 years, because they adapt and include real issues, situations and difficult subjects into their show. Keeping things real is what they have always done.

On Julia’s first episode, they will show what autism can look like. Big Bird thought Julia did not like him because she ignored him. In helping Big Bird understand that it was not that Julia did not like him, but that she has autism, and it sometimes takes her a bit longer to do things.

I think it will be good for kids to see how they may misinterpret actions of their peers with autism and teach them tolerance and acceptance. What do you think?


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· 1:24 pm

6 Fun Ways To Celebrate Earth Day With Your Family

Earth Day is Saturday! Do you have any special plans to celebrate our planet with your family? If you don’t, I have some great ideas to share. Earth Day is a special day to stress the importance of giving back to the planet we live on. Teach your children to respect and nurture the Earth and you will be making a difference not only in the next generation but our planet as well.

Go on a Litter Walk

Grab some trash bags and gloves and set off around your neighborhood cleaning up the trash that is around. Explain to your kids how littering like this is dangerous to wildlife. As you pass your neighbors encourage them to join in. Before you know it, you will have a parade of trash pickers and as they say; many hands makes the load lighter.

Plant a Garden

Nothing shows your kids where their food comes from better than planting a garden. From seeds or seedlings, they will see the entire process. Let them help with tending and caring for the garden all season. By the time of your last harvest, you will have some very experienced gardeners.

If if is too cold yet to plant by you, plan out your garden with your kids. You can start getting your garden ready by cleaning up last years plant remains, leaves, sticks and other debris. Then break up the soil. You should pick a soil test kit up and test your soil to see what nutrients it is lacking. The better your soil, the better your garden.

If you don’t have land to plant a garden, plant some container gardens or vertical gardens. There are some great ideas for maximizing your space on sites like Pinterest, so check it out.

Plant a Tree

This is a lot of fun, take a ride down to your local nursery and pick out a tree or shrub. Then go home and plant it together. Again, enlist your children to take part in the planting and care of the tree. Explain how the plants and trees give us something we need to live…oxygen.

Start a Habitat Garden

Did you know that our population of pollinators is dwindling? It is, and our food supply depends on bees and butterflies to thrive. Do your part by researching the types of plants you need to create a habitat garden.

The Monarchs main food source in the Milkweed plant but along with that you can plant native grasses, butterfly bushes, bee balm and so much more. There are also butterfly houses and feeders as well as bee houses you can add to help our pollinators. We visited a butterfly house last year with our kids and learned so much.

Start Composting

Do you compost? If not you should. It will not only cut down on your organic household garbage, it will enrich the soil in your garden. It is not hard and you have a lot of options.

There are countertop compost bins you can use to collect your daily vegetable peels, banana skins, egg shells, coffee grounds etc. Then you can take them out to a compost bin or drum. They have nice units you can buy that make it super easy or your can put up some wire fencing and make a bin of your own. You can read more about the process HERE.

Go For a Family Hike:

See the beauty of our planet by taking a family hike. It is good exercise for the body, mind and soul. Pack along a picnic lunch and make a day of it. There are resources for your state where you can find recommendations for great trails. Go somewhere new, you might be surprised at the beauty you find and did not know existed in your state.

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day?


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April 17, 2017 · 10:54 pm

Rugrats: Season 1 & Season 2 are Arriving on DVD!!! #Giveaway

Do your remember the Rugrats? I do, and I am so excited because Seasons 1 & 2 will be available on DVD May 2, 2017!

I just received these DVDs and cannot wait to experience this series with my youngest kids. They have never seen the Rugrats.

A baby’s gotta do what a baby’s gotta do in the all-new DVD releases of Rugrats: Season 1 & Rugrats: Season 2.  Told from the perspective of a group of adventurous and imaginative toddlers, Rugrats transformed the most mundane activities into unforgettable adventures. Led by fearless leader Tommy Pickles, the gang can turn an ordinary trip to the park into a journey across the Sahara in search of water, a visit to the plant nursery into a jungle trek to find a cure for “jungle beaver,” or a search for cookies into a prehistoric fantasy. Together, there’s no adventure too big and no problem they can’t solve… or at least nothing that a good nap won’t help.

Rugrats premiered on Nickelodeon in 1991 and is beloved by millennials as one of their favorite childhood TV shows.  With heartfelt and adventurous stories, Rugrats: Season 1 & Rugrats: Season 2 are sure to fill the nostalgic hearts of fans who grew up with the show as well as bring new joy and excitement to a younger generation. Episodes of Rugrats currently air on Nickelodeon’s daily ’90s programming TV block, “The Splat,” from 10pm-6am (ET/PT) on TeenNick.

Rugrats: Season 1 & Rugrats: Season 2 will be available individually on May 2 from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution. Rugrats: Season 1 contains 25 episodes on two discs and Rugrats: Season 2 contains 51 episodes – over ten hours – on four discs. At the price of $14.99 and $19.99 respectively, Rugrats: Season 1 & Rugrats: Season 2 will be a welcome addition to any family looking for a little throwback fun and adventure.

Rugrats: Season 1 includes the following episodes: 

DISC 1:

  • Tommy’s First Birthday
  • Barbeque Story
  • Waiter, There’s A Baby In My Soup
  • At The Movies
  • Slumber Party
  • Baby Commercial
  • Little Dude
  • Beauty Contest
  • Baseball
  • Ruthless Tommy
  • Moose Country
  • Grandpa’s Teeth
  • Momma Trauma

DISC 2:

  • Real Or Robots?
  • Special Delivery
  • Candy Bar Creep Show
  • Monster In The Garage
  • Weaning Tommy
  • Incident In Aisle Seven
  • Touch-Down Tommy
  • The Trial
  • Fluffy vs. Spike
  • Reptar’s Revenge
  • Graham Canyon
  • Stu-Maker’s Elves

Rugrats: Season 2 includes the following episodes:

DISC 1:

  • Toy Palace
  • Sand Ho!
  • Chuckie Versus The Potty
  • Together At Last
  • The Big House
  • The Shot
  • Showdown At Teeter-Totter Gulch
  • Mirrorland
  • Angelica’s In Love
  • Ice Cream Mountain
  • Regarding Stuie
  • Garage Sale
  • Let There Be Light
  • The Bank Trick

DISC 2:

  • Family Reunion
  • Grandpa’s Date
  • No Bones About It
  • Beach Blanket Babies
  • Reptar On Ice
  • Family Feud
  • Superhero Chuckie
  • The Dog Broomer
  • Aunt Miriam
  • The Inside Story
  • A Visit From Lipschitz
  • What The Big People Do
  • The Santa Experience

DISC 3:

  • Visitors From Outer Space
  • The Case Of The Missing Rugrat
  • Chuckie Loses His Glasses
  • Chuckie Gets Skunked
  • Rebel Without A Teddy Bear
  • Angelica The Magnificent
  • Meet The Carmichaels
  • The Box
  • Down The Drain
  • Let Them Eat Cake
  • The Seven Voyages Of Cynthia
  • My Friend Barney

DISC 4:

  • Feeding Hubert
  • Spike The Wonder Dog
  • The Slide
  • The Big Flush
  • King Ten Pin
  • Runaway Angelica
  • Game Show Didi
  • Toys In The Attic
  • Driving Miss Angelica
  • Susie vs. Angelica
  • Tooth Or Dare
  • Party Animals

Would you like a chance to win both of these DVDs? If so, enter below.

Giveaway:

Nickelodeon Home Entertainment is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win Rugrats Season 1 & 2 on DVD! Thank you to Nickelodeon Home Entertainment for the review DVD and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Rugrats: Season 1 & 2  on DVD! Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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April 13, 2017 · 3:48 pm

You Can Save $75 on Digital Media Academy Summer Camps if You Hurry!

Can you believe it is almost summer? I am so happy about the warmer weather, but it has really lit that fire under me to get our summer plans in place. If you are looking for summer camps for your kids and teens and want one that will allow them to discover their passion for STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) through fun and exciting hands-on courses and collaboration, Digital Media Academy technology camp may be what you are looking for. Now for the bad news, you will need to hurry because their summer camps are filling up fast! I do have some good news, you can save $75 on each summer camp registration when you use the promo code TECHFUN17.

Digital Media’s mission is to foster a learning community of diversity and excellence through memorable and innovative educational experiences led by the highest-quality instructors; building skills and confidence to empower lifelong learners to follow their dreams and make a lasting impact. They understand that, girls may shy away from subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math because they are often seen as male-dominated fields.

To change that, Digital Media Academy is committed to increasing girls’ confidence in coding and STEM subjects through immersive courses taught by role models and mentors dedicated to empowering all learners, creators, and makers. DMA’s Made By Girls initiative aims to build tech confidence in young women, and was created exclusively to support early positive experiences with technology.

Your kids can learn the skills of tomorrow this summer at a location near you! When they attend one of Digital Media Academy’s hands-on summer camps for kids and teens ages 6-17, there is no limit to what they can create this summer!

Popular courses include Intro to Java Programming, VR & Game Design, Academy Wearable Tech & Fashion Design, the Filmmaking Academy and much more!

Save BIG on summer camps for a limited time! Use discount code TECHFUN17 for $75 off each summer camp registration. The savings is $35 off DMA’s Jr. Adventures courses or $75 off all full-day tuition for our Adventures, Teen, Academy, and Pro Series courses. Don’t wait – with limited seats available, summer camps are filling fast! Discount may not be combined with any other offer. Some restrictions may apply. Offer valid until Monday, May 1, 2017 at 11:59pm PST.

 


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· 2:01 pm

Disney Tangled Before Ever After is on DVD Now! #Giveaway

If you have kids that are fans of Disney’s Tangled, they will love this brand new adventure, Tangled Before Ever After  that arrived on DVD this week!  In this new tale,  Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) yearns to make up for lost time, with the help of her true love Eugene (Zachary Levi), pals Pascal and Maximus and daring new friend Cassandra, Rapunzel postpones her wedding and royal duties to defy danger and boldly explore life beyond Corona’s walls. Sparkling with fun, adventure and music from the legendary Alan Menken, TANGLED BEFORE EVER AFTER is a magical movie event!!

Includes the TV Movie, Plus Four Animated Shorts and a FREE Exclusive Rapunzel Replica Journal

 

Bonus: 4 Tangled Short Cuts

  • Checkmate
  • Prison Bake
  • Make Me Smile
  • Hare Peace

 Run Time:                    Approximately 65 minutes (including bonus)

Enter our giveaway below for your chance to win your own copy of this new Disney DVD!

Giveaway:

Click Communications is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win Disney Tangled: Before Ever After on DVD! Thank you to Click Communications for the review DVD and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Disney Tangled: Before Ever After on DVD! Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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April 7, 2017 · 3:29 pm

“Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir” DVD-Available Tuesday!!! #Giveaway

C’est Magnifique! The action-packed CGI animated TV series Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: It’s Ladybug! will be available on DVD April 11, 2017, from Shout! Kids, in collaboration with ZAG. This release includes six amazing episodes on DVD and a Ladybug paper doll, while supplies last.

 

The most Miraculous Adventures of Ladybug and Cat Noir continue! Paris’ favorite crime-fighting duo return in a new volume of the action-adventure, romantic comedy that will have you on the edge of your seat.

When Paris is threatened by super villains, two amazing heroes are our only hope: Ladybug and Cat Noir! With the help of their magical kwamis, this incredible duo team up to outwit the forces of evil… but their biggest challenge might be getting through school. In their normal lives, Marinette and Adrien are just a pair of young students, but in reality, this terrific twosome must juggle schoolwork, friends, family and growing up in a world where every day is a high-flying adventure!

A top TV show, Miraculous™ is quickly becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It’s Ladybug! is available now for pre-order on Amazon.com and Shout Kids.

 Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: It’s Ladybug! episodes include:

  • Princess Fragrance
  • Gamer
  • Reflekta
  • The Puppeteer
  • Antibug
  • Volpina

Giveaway:

Shout! Kids is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win Miraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: It’s Ladybug DVD! Thank you to Shout! Kids for the review DVD and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

SMiraculous™: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: It’s Ladybug DVD Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

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