Cool Toy Giveaways

As we prepare for Christmas and gift giving, here are some great websites and giveaways for you to check out.

LOTS of great giveaways at A Child Chosen!!

My favorites...
I just entered to win the Playskool Helmet Heros, although now I am not totally sure I want to win! Just one more reason for Lucas to run crazy around our house. He would love it though.

Also, Olive Kids has the cutest personalized gifts! Lucas hates to use a placemat for some reason. So I would love to get this personalized one in hopes that he wouldn't throw it on the ground. If I don't win, this is going on the Grandparents gift list!

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Yet another from A Child Chosen, these super cool sunglasses by My First Shades for kids. Lucas is constantly complaining about the sun in his eyes so this would be great for us.

ebeanstalk.com is an amazing site for quality wooden toys and other great gifts for kids. I would love to have these adorable cars that are puzzles for Lucas whose two favorite things are puzzles and cars. How perfect is that!!

Another site with some great toys is Hazelnut Kids. I love all their colorful blocks and amazing wooden toys. I love these Haba Cathedral blocks because they are so colorful and interactive. I think that Lucas would love them but I especially want them for Caden so he has really nice toys that are especially for him! :)

Marcie at A Child Chosen has really outdone herself... check out all these great giveaways ending December 7th.

OneBookTwoBook is giving away a great book to help you be creative with your family. I LOVE to do crafts with Lucas and find new ways to entertain him. I am putting this book on my list for sure!

There are also a ton of amazing giveaways at Kiddio.

I really love this mail set from Paper Daisy ( a super cool Etsy shop). What a great creative idea! If we don't win, I may try to make one. (I said try... maybe). Her giveaway ends Tuesday the 9th.

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I also really want to win this cute tea set. She is giving away a whole tea party gift package and Lucas would LOVE IT!! I know, a boy and tea parties... but he thinks it is super cool and so do I! This giveaway end 12/13.

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Thankful for some small things

Driving to Trader Joe's this morning, Lucas asked me "is today more halloween?" I guess he had fun! :) This launched us into a discussion of the fun things in November and about the first Thanksgiving. I am trying to tell the story of the first Thanksgiving (Lucas LOVES stories) and I realized that besides it involving Pilgrims and Indians and the sharing of food, I didn't know many of the details of the story. I am going to have to brush up on that or get a book or something. But even though my story details were fuzzy, I think I got my point across- that we have so much to be thankful for and we should take the time to express that thankfulness to God. I was preaching that to myself just as much (or more) as to my eagerly listening toddler.

So in honor of that, here are a few things I am thankful for today:

My date with Lucas today to the train restaurant: Caden stayed with Hubby so Lucas and I could have a fun lunch together at one of his favorite places. We laughed and danced to the music and had a really great time. It was refreshing, for us both.

A big win for my Gators- big in numbers and in significance. I only got to watch the first half and the last 5minutes but the outcome was AWESOME!! It puts us back in the national title hunt, almost.

Some new bloggy friends met through the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival:

Here are the winners of my giveaways- Free Peapod Groceries go to Fivewinks and my beautiful, red, festive ring sling goes to Piece of Me. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who visited and entered. I hope you come back sometime and visit again.

For the launch of my new BabyLove Slings Fall Collection.... details tomorrow along with some special savings as we celebrate fall and get ready for the holidays.

These are just a few things I am thankful for today. Hubby and I just rearranged the living room (I need a change every so often) and now I am off to bed. Blessings to you all!

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More Giveaway Goodness

As a mom with a 2 month old baby, I am constantly looking for ways to simplify life. One thing I can't seem to be consistent with is meal planning and grocery shopping. There just never seems to be a convenient time to take my rowdy two year old and my infant to the grocery store to maneuver the aisles and fight the crowds and try my best to get everything on my list before one of the three of us starts to melt down. Have you been there? So when I was approached by PeaPod about trialing their grocery delivery, I jumped at the chance. PeaPod is is the country’s leading Internet grocer serving 23 markets, including the Chicagoland area. They have an amazing selection of groceries and they deliver them to your door. What could be better than that!!

They have a great selection of fresh produce and meats as well as the usual dry goods and boxed foods (ie: cereal, pasta, canned goods, etc...). You may see a slightly higher price on some things, but then again you are shopping from the convenience of your couch and then you choose when the groceries arrive at your door. Worth a few extra pennies in my opinion.

We may not be able to afford to do it for every grocery trip, but it is certainly one of those things that is good to have when you need it.

Check out their website (www.peapod.com) to see if they have service to your area. They are adding new locations all the time. The folks at PeaPod would like to offer one lucky reader a $20 gift certificate on their first order to get you started and show you just how convenient and wonderful it can be to have your groceries delivered to your door. Just leave a comment on this post before midnight on Friday the 31st. One winner will be drawn at random on Saturday the 1st and the winner notified by e-mail. Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win.

Good luck and happy grocery shopping!!

Oh, and be sure to visit my other giveaway for a festive, holiday ring sling.

More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

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Bloggy Giveaway Goodness

It's that time again y'all... Bloggy Giveaway time!!! Hooray! Time to spend countless hours entering contests and visiting new blogs...and time to spread the giveaway goodness myself and offer up a free sling!! I just can't resist joining in the fun.
For those of you just stopping by, I am a babywearing, college football crazed, beach-loving mama who loves to share with the bloggy world about my life as mother, wife, nurse, friend... and my quest to discover and become who God created me to be. I have three boys- one in heaven, a two yr. old and a two month old who is sleeping on my lap even now. Add my Beagle pup and my part-time nursing job in the mix and life keeps me on my toes.

I am giving away a beautiful, red BabyLove (my little business) ring-sling. The fabric is red with subtle holiday accents and gold stars. The holidays are just around the corner and this sling is the perfect accessory for any festive outfit!! This sling is a one-of-a-kind, BabyLove Slings original. No one will have one like it and you will stand out in any crowd!

My slings are all handmade (by me) from 100% cotton batik fabrics. The rings are aluminum and super-strong. The fold is triple stitched for extra security. Ring slings are, in my opinion, the most versatile of all baby carriers. You can use them from newborn all the way to 35-40lbs. and there are so many different ways to wear it. The weight is distributed across your back so as to not overburden your shoulder. The are also great for discreet public nursing. The fabric is light and breathable but strong. No more frumpy baby carriers - you will be stylish and hip carrying your little one around in this sling. Plus you will have your hands free to do whatever - push the shoppping cart, chase your other children, put on lipstick, ... you choose!

Those new to baby-wearing, you'll wonder how you lived without it. Your sling comes with a detailed picture instruction booklet so you can get started right away. If you already have a sling, you can't have too many. You wouldn't not buy a pair of fashionable pumps just' cuz you already had a pair of flip-flops. :)

This week I am debuting 6 new fabrics as part of the BabyLove Slings Fall Collection. To win THIS beautiful red sling, just leave a comment on this post by Friday the 31st at midnight telling me which of the items on my website is your favorite and I will pick one winner at random on Saturday, November 1st. I will contact the winner by e-mail and post it here so be sure to leave me your contact info so I can tell you if you win. If you have a blog, I would love to visit you too. New bloggy friends are so fun!
If you aren't lucky enough to win, here is a coupon for free shipping on any order over $30 at my online store. Just use the code FREESHIP at checkout (will expire the end of November). Give the gift of babywearing to your favorite mama this holiday (and that might be yourself!). Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back again sometime. Blessings!

More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

**Sling photos by Drea**

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One thing I need and one thing I want...

I usually put this type of thing on my contests page, but I haven't updated it in months and these are two that are too good to miss.

Fellow Chicago Mom Kim, is hosting a fabulous giveaway over at Hormone-Colored Days. One lucky reader will win a Nokia SmartPhone...oh-so-pretty!! I have let Lucas play with my phone one too may times and it is falling apart, literally. Kim's very generous giveaway ends tonight at midnight. I would love to win this one... this is the thing I need.

Now the thing I want...
I am a babycarrier glutten, I admit it. The Simple girls are giving away another Beco and I want it! Becos are soft-structured carriers, kinda like a Ergo, and are super cool and super comfy. I want, I want, I want!!!

And the BabySnazz website is giving away a Beco too!! Check out their super cool site and enter to win...

Win a Beco Butterfly from babySNAZZ!

Check out these cool contests... and stay tuned for the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival coming soon... so many contests, so little time! (literally!)

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You gotta check this out!!!

I interrupt my previously planned Conference update to share with you an amazing giveaway. This was WAY too good to stash over on my contests page. More about the conference later. But trust me, you are gonna wanna enter this one....

Along for the Ride is giving away 5, yes 5 carriers to one lucky winner. They are calling it their Essential Babywearing Stash Giveaway. Included is a ring sling, a mei tai, a soft-structured carrier, a wrap, and a pouch sling. So basically, one of everything. What a great way to build up your own stash. Check out the contest page to see the brands for each. But you even get to pick your own sizes and styles. How cool is that?!?!

Just click through on the link and comment to enter. It is that easy. Pretty cool, huh?

Of course you could always build up your stash at this really cool site too! :)

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Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)


Also, Nature's Child is giving away a Bum Genius cloth diaper starter kit in their Beat the Heat Summer Giveaway. Again, just click through and comment to enter.


Both contests end July 31st. But enter now so you don't forget!

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Pardon this little interuption...

In a break from this otherwise emotionally intense week for me, I had to participate in the Spring Bloggy Giveaway carnival. (hundreds of prizes, potential new bloggy friends.... can't resist!)

For those of you just stopping by, I am a babywearing, college football crazed, beach-loving mama who loves to share with the bloggy world about my life as mother, wife, nurse, friend and my quest to discover and become who God created me to be. I have three boys- one in heaven, a two yr. old and my third on the way (coming this August). Add my Beagle pup and my part-time nursing job in the mix and life keeps me on my toes.

I am giving away a $25 gift certificate to my online sling store, BabyLove Slings. Just over a year ago I began selling my own ring-slings and other handmade baby gifts. It all started when a friend gave me a sling for the birth of my second son and it sparked this deep passion for babywearing that eventually resulted in my little business venture. I make and sell ring slings (for mamas and babywearers-to-be) as well as super-soft taggy blankets and some other fun things too.

Just leave a comment on this post by Friday the 25th at midnight telling me which of the items on my site you would like to own and I will pick one winner at random on Saturday, April 26th. I will contact the winner by e-mail and post it here so be sure to leave me your contact info so I can tell you if you win. If you have a blog, I would love to visit you too. New bloggy friends are so fun!

If you aren't lucky enough to win (I know the feeling- I never win!), here is a coupon for free shipping on any order over $30 at my online store. Just use the code FREESHIP at checkout (will expire the end of May). Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back again sometime. Blessings!

**Comments/Entries are now closed. Winner will be posted shortly so stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by and please come again. Feel free to visit my online store to get a little sling lovin' of your own!**

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Another review...

Mama Speaks has a review of BabyLove Slings up today. :) Hooray! Check it out for some kind words about the fruits of my labor and a coupon code if you are in the market for a new sling of your own.

Or you could try to win a BabyLove Sling here!

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A few of our favorite Valentine's things

Lucas got Valentine's Day packages from both sets of grandparents today. His package from Mimi and Pa (my parents) included several things including a Spiderman card, Bob the Builder stickers (among others) and a new dino. He insisted that these three items take a nap with him today. I did take them out of his crib after I took a picture. :)
The amazing roses from hubby for Valentine's Day.... so beautiful! Thank you hubby!!

These are some of Lucas and Mommy's favorite children's books about love... I would love to know what your favorites are.

"I Love You as Much..." by Laura Krauss Melmed

"Love and Kisses" by Sarah Wilson

"I Love You Through and Through" by Bernadette Rosetti-Shustak

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Also, check out my contests tab for two great babywearing giveaways. One ends tonight so enter now. :)

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New Bloggy Giveaways

Today in Chicagoland, it was 50degrees and the snow was melting. Is spring around the corner? Not really... the wind was still very cold and we are back to single digits tomorrow. Oh, well. At least we had a little break. Plus, there is nothing like a little giveaway-goodness to ease the winter-blues.

Rocks in My Dryer is hosting another amazing Bloggy Giveaway carnival. For hundreds of giveaways, go here.

My giveaway this time around is a sling for your little one to wear. I am a huge believer in the value of babywearing, for both mama and baby. Giving your little one a sling of their own teaches them to nurture others in the same way that they have been nurtured. My 2-yr. old son loves to carry his treasures in his own little sling. He carries his puppy doll, his dumptruck, whatever he loves and wants to keep close.

Nurture your little nurturer with a child-size sling just for them. To win any of the doll slings offered on my website, please just visit my site and choose your favorite fabric. Then leave a comment on this post telling me your pick and make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. I will close comments on Friday, Feb. 1st and will pick a winner at random on Saturday morning. I will notify the winner via e-mail so again, be sure I have your address.

As a bonus for all my bloggy giveaway visitors, use coupon code "giveaway" for 15% off any sling orders. www.babyloveslings.com Ease your own winter-blues with a new sling for spring!!

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And the winner is...

Pickel from MyTwoBoys! Hooray!! I hope you enjoy this book as much as we do.

Everyone else... you can go here to get one yourself or just stop in your local Border's Bookstore!
Thanks for entering and giving me an outlet for my Christmas energy. Merry Christmas y'all!

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In the spirit of Christmas...

"This is the stable, dusty and brown,
in a quiet corner of Bethlehem town."

My husband and I are between churches right now. Our old church, which we dearly loved, doesn't exist anymore and the circumstances that caused that to be true continue to grieve my heart. The reason I say that is to say that we are looking for ways this advent season to teach our almost- two-year-old how rich and wonderful this time of year is. It is a deep, meaningful holiday that teaches us so much truth about God's love for us and our proper response to that love. One of the things that made our church so amazing was the tradition and liturgy of advent. Being in any church at advent is powerful, but for us being a part of the advent liturgy made us feel the anticipation of Christ's birth and then the all-consuming rejoicing with the angels on Christmas Day. It moves your soul unlike anything I can describe. I love that sense of being able to close your eyes and worship through sound and smell and get a small taste of what it must have been like to be the shepherds in those fields listening to the angels sing "Hosanna!"
I have recently had conversations with a dear friend on how best to do advent with little ones and have browsed this awesome blog about other families' advent traditions. Both have been very thought provoking and inspiring for me in this process of trying to make this season meaningful for my family. I went to Borders the other day in an attempt to find books to include and I found this one: "This is the Stable" by Cynthia Cotten. It is wonderful. It is a simple telling of the Christmas story with the most beautiful illustrations and poetic verse. My son sat on my lap today for 15 solid minutes and I read this book over and over, neither of us getting tired of the repetition. The pictures remind me of Barefoot Books (although this is not a Barefoot Book - but they are wonderful too by the way!) as the artwork is a similar style - colorful and bright and eye-capturing. Lucas loved pointing at each page and naming what he saw... "donkey," "star", "baby Jesus." The story is true and simple but somehow it touched me. I love things that are beautiful and allow me to feel the depth of meaning and emotion that are always under my surface. This book did that for me. We both really like this book.
I liked this book so much, in fact, that I bought an extra one to giveaway to one of you. If you have a little one and are looking for a good book to read with them during this time of celebrating Jesus' birth, comment here and I will draw a name at random on Dec. 5. I will mail the book to you right away so you can read it through Advent with your child/children. If you don't mind, please post about this somewhere on your blog if you have one and tell your friends to help me get the word out a bit.

I know this isn't all we will do to teach Lucas about the beauty and mystery and profound love that is this season. But it is a start. And I am happy with that.


Also, don't forget that time is running out to get a discount on a new sling. Visit my website babyloveslings.com and click "buy a sling" or go directly to my webstore (store.babyloveslings.com). Use coupon code GIVEAWAY for 15% your total order until Dec. 7. Get a jump on that holiday shopping for yourself or that favorite mama on your list.

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Christmas is coming....

Last Friday, we drove downtown to see all the city lights while listening to Christmas music on the radio. We didn't get out of the car (the easiest way to do city lights with a toddler if you ask me) but we rolled the windows down and watched the lights and listened to the sounds of the city. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." (did you sing it in your head?)

I actually put up my Christmas tree last night in preparation for a playgroup party at my house today. This is the earliest I have ever done it. The tradition in my house is that the tree stays up until Jan. 7 which is my birthday!! We (o.k. mostly me) like to extend the party around here. :) We had a great little book exchange with the playgroup kiddos this morning and I am feeling the Christmas bug start to bite! I had my first glass of egg nog last night and I just ordered this adorable apron for my son who LOVES to cook with mommy and is getting into painting and other crafts. He will look so adorabable! You can get your own cute gift from skimbaco.com. She is giving away a $200 gift certificate too. I know that would put me in the Christmas mood. How 'bout you? :)







What puts you in the Christmas spirit? Music? Parties? Shopping? Spending time with friends and family? I don't know that I love Christmas the holiday as much as I love the feeling, the spirit, around this time of year. I love the house feeling festive and picking out gifts for my loved ones. I love that everyone starts focusing on spending time with people and showing them how much they mean to each other. I love how our priorities seem to shift at Christmas. We aren't as concerned with the "doing" as we are with just "being" and experiencing the season. At least that is how it should be. I don't always get it right, but that is why I love Christmas.
Christmas is the perfect season for people like me. I love to give gifts and get them. Mostly because a well-given gift expresses so much love and regard for the person. I give gifts out of love and I feel loved when I get them. I love to be hospitable and entertain well. Christmas is the perfect season for that. I love to plan meaningful events with people that I love. I love to decorate and make things look pretty. Again, this season is for me. I hope this season has its joys for you too. We should all take the time to just "be" this Christmas with those we love.

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Giveaway #2

I thought I would go ahead and post my second giveaway so as to brighten your day and mine - it has been rough around my house today. We just got back from Florida last night visiting my parents and had a million errands to run and Lucas WON"T nap at all which always makes the day so frustrating. He needs his sleep, he really needs it. When he doesn't get it, everyone suffers. And on top of that, it is Halloween and we had fun trick-or-treating plans with some of our friends. Who knows if that will happen now. Anyway.... on to the free stuff.

I am giving away a copy of the babywearing instructional DVD Tummy-2-Tummy. They have done an awesome job of showing you the step-by-step for pouches, ring-slings, mei tais, and wraps. I signed up to be a distributer so I could offer it with the ring slings I make and sell. I think baby-wearers of all expertise levels can benefit from this DVD. It is really good.

So leave a comment here, making sure I have a way to contact you if you win (some people didn't on my last giveaway). I will close this giveaway on Sunday at midnight and pick someone Monday morning.

Thanks to all who have visited my blog through the giveaways! I hope you come back! I will be offering a discount on my slings and free shipping in November for those who found me through this giveaway. So check back next week for more info and the checkout code. Have a safe and fun Halloween! :)

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. THANKS FOR VISITNG AND I HOPE YOU COME BACK SOON!!

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Fall Y'all Giveaway!

It's giveaway time in the blogosphere! I have been wanting to giveaway a sling online for awhile so why not jump on this particular bandwagon and join in the fun. Plus, how could I not participate in something with "y'all" in the title!

I am giving away this ring-sling. My slings are all handmade (by me) from 100% cotton batik fabrics. The rings are aluminum and super-strong. The fold is triple stitched for extra security.
Ring slings are, in my opinion, the most versatile of all baby carriers. You can use them from newborn all the way to 35-40lbs. and there are so many different ways to wear it. The weight is distributed across your back so as to not overburden your shoulder. The are also great for discreet public nursing.
This sling is a beautiful creamy beige with cream colored swirls. The fabric is light and breathable but strong. No more frumpy baby carriers - you will be stylish and hip carrying your little one around in this sling. Plus you will have your hands free to do whatever - push the shoppping cart, chase your other children, put on lipstick, ... you choose!
Those new to baby-wearing, you'll wonder how you lived without it. Your sling comes with a detailed picture instruction booklet so you can get started right away. If you already have a sling, you can't have too many. You wouldn't not buy a pair of fashionable pumps just' cuz you already had a pair of flip-flops. :)

If bold and pink is more your style, you could also choose this sling if you win. You'll be sure to catch people's attention and feel like the most stylish girl on the block.

Just comment on this post if you want to win this sling and make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. I will close the contest on Friday 11/2 at midnight and will randomly select a winner on Saturday. I will be posting another giveaway later this week so check back. Anyone can enter. Be sure to tell your friends. Check out the homepage for bloggy giveaways for literally hundreds of giveaways from generous mommy bloggers out there. Thanks for checking out my site. Good luck!

P.S~ For those mamas who don't win this sling, I will be offering a discount in November for anyone who tried to win. So don't dispair, you can still get a beautiful sling of your own! :)

*** THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED FOR COMMENTS/ENTRIES. THE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN AT RANDOM AND ANNOUNCED LATER TODAY...STAY TUNED!! :) MY OTHER GIVEAWAY IS STILL OPEN SO ENTER ABOVE AND GOOD LUCK!***

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First fall walk...

We took our first cold weather walk yesterday. After pumpkin-picking in 90 degree heat last weekend, the last few days have had highs in the 50's so fall has officially come to Chicagoland. I couldn't resist taking a picture of Lucas in his hat and bomber jacket. Don't let the flowers in the background deceive you... it was cold!

P.S.~ I found some cool contests today from two awesome mommies sharing their birthdays by giving gifts to others... Check them out!

Mamanista!
From Dates to Diapers

http://ooohpickmepickme.blogspot.com/2007/10/big-birthday-giveaway.html

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Cool contests

Steph at Adventures in Babywearing is giving away 4 copies of the Tummy-2-Tummy Babywearing DVD for those of you who may be interested. I have the DVD and I am now offering it as a companion to the slings I sell because it is such a great resource in learning how to wear your baby. Click on over and read her review and sign up to win it yourself.

Also, Amy over at crunchy domestic goddess is having a contest where she is giving away one of her cute halloween shirts for your lil' pumpkin. I already got one for Lucas but another could never hurt. :) Click here to enter yourself.



10/1: P.S.~ I have amended this post to include a contest by my bestest friend Catherine. She is giving away a very cool children's book. Check it out!!

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