Celebrate Independence Day with Sound of Freedom! In Theaters July 4th

Do you know that 2 million children are being trafficked each year and that the United States is one of the top destinations for human trafficking? You may help people around you to take note of this appalling crime by inviting them to watch Sound of Freedom, a compelling new release from Angel Studios, which aims to pre-sell 2 million tickets to represent those precious children. The film premieres in theaters nationwide on July 4th! Get your tickets here.

Synopsis:

Sound of Freedom, based on the incredible true story, shines a light on even the darkest of places. After rescuing a young boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.

My Review:

Sound of Freedom is an enthralling and inspiring movie that impresses me with its artful cinematic presentation and powerful messages. While the story is told through a heroic act, its primary focus remains on the children that have been abducted, enslaved and exploited. The contrast between the innocence of the children and the brutality of the traffickers is particularly evocative and heart-wrenching. 

The film not only helps raise awareness about the prevalence and gravity of child trafficking, but also urges parents, lawmakers, law enforcement officers, and virtually anyone who cares about the welfare of our younger generation, to join forces in their attempts to make a difference. Together, we may propel a movement that could save millions of children around the world.

You can start showing your support by paying for a friend's ticket at angel.com/freedom. This will help Angel Studios reach their goal of #2MillionFor2Million to help end child trafficking.

Spookley the Square Pumpkin Prize Pack Giveaway {Ghosts & Goblins Giveaway Hop}

One of the kids' favorite fall activities is to visit a local pumpkin patch, where they could discover pumpkins in different varieties, sizes and shapes. If they are lucky, they might spot a very special kind of pumpkin, a square pumpkin that looks like the adorable Spookley the Square Pumpkin! Everyone’s favorite square pumpkin is now the “Pick of the Patch” this Halloween season. As a classic that airs on Disney Junior every October, Spookley the Square Pumpkin, for the first time ever, can be enjoyed in high definition, available in a new Blu-ray combo pack and on Digital HD from Cinedigm. The Blu-ray combo includes five exclusive video picture books.

Based on Joe Troiano's bestselling Spookley book series, this animated television special follows the story of Spookley, the only square pumpkin living on Holiday Hill Farm, where round pumpkins dominate and frequently make fun of Spookley for his unique shape until they get saved by him during a terrible storm.

Synopsis:
In a world where the only good pumpkins are round pumpkins, Spookley is teased because of his square shape. Shunned by the other pumpkins, Spookley is befriended by Edgar, Allan and Poe, three hilarious spiders, who convince him that, square or not, he has a right to be the Pick of the Patch. But Big Tom and Little Tom, the pumpkin bullies in the patch, continue to tease and taunt Spookley. Encouraged by kindly Jack Scarecrow and his bat sidekicks, Boris and Bella, Spookley tries his best, but he isn’t sure he has what it takes until a mighty storm threatens Holiday Hill Farm. When the storm blows the round pumpkins across the patch towards the raging river, Spookley realizes it is up to him and his square shape to save the day.

Blu-ray combo pack bonus features:

5 exclusive video picture books:

• The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
• The Legend of Beacon the Bright Little Firefly
• The Legend of JellyBean and the Unbreakable Egg
• The Legend of Lyla the Lovesick Ladybug
• The Legend of Mistletoe and the Christmas Kittens

As fans of the Spookley book series, my boys were really excited to see their beloved square pumpkin in animation. Fond of Spookley's cute look, they felt upset when he got ridiculed by Big Tom and Little Tom; they felt sad when Spookley failed the Jack-a-Lympics miserably; they cheered for Spookley as he courageously saved everyone against the strong winds; and they felt very proud of Spookley when he finally won the respect from his fellow patch-mates.

The movie is well paced and has the perfect length to hold the little viewers' attention from beginning to end. The educational messages are clear and easy to get through. It encourages children not to be afraid to be different and to learn to embrace their differences, as what makes you different also makes you special. It also teaches about kindness, courage, friendship, sportsmanship, gratitude and tolerance. It helps stop bullying before it begins. Apparently, Spookley the Square Pumpkin has been a long time Halloween tradition for many families for a good reason.

Join NASCAR Acceleration Nation for Motorsports Fun & Win NASCAR Gift Cards!

Have you heard that NASCAR now has a website dedicated to kids who are passionate about cars and racing? It's called Acceleration Nation, which offers a fun, entertaining and educational way for young motorsports fans to learn all things about NASCAR! Acceleration Nation is also available as a FREE app at both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Not only does NASCAR Acceleration Nation feature exciting kids games, but it is also a place for kids to learn about NASCAR drivers, races, tracks, details on cars and more. With fun videos and learning materials about the science of speed and racing, it makes a great resource for STEM education too. Kids 12 and under are FREE to all NASCAR XFINITY and Camping World Truck races, so don't forget to take advantage of that privilege while you can. And you can keep track of upcoming races on the Acceleration Nation website and app.


Join NASCAR Acceleration Nation today and download the Acceleration Nation app to access all its neat features while on the go.

The Giveaway

To celebrate the launch of Acceleration Nation, all of us will have the chance to win a $400, $150, or $75 NASCAR gift card! That's a total of $625 worth of NASCAR gift cards up for grabs. Giveaway ends 9/8. Open to US & Canada 18+ only. Please enter using the widget below. Good luck!

Children's Crazy Carpet Circle Seats Review & Discount Offer #CrazySeatsPR

Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate my honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

The older a child grows, the more she tends to value space that is designated as her own. It's even better when that kind of space is mobile so that she can take it with her wherever she goes. That may help explain the great success of Children's Crazy Carpet Circle Seats by Koeckritz.

Made in the USA, Children's Crazy Carpet Circle Seats turn standard broadloom carpet into fun round rug mats in a rainbow of 19 bright and pastel colors. Each of these soft cut pile rugs is made of a polyester filament fiber, with edges sewn with a fabric tape to prevent fraying. They are typically 18" in diameter, but can be made to order as well.

Koeckritz kindly provided me with a set of 3 Circle Seats in different colors for review. I'm very pleased with their fabric quality, craftsmanship and size. The rugs feel soft and comfortable while they are sturdy enough to stand wear and tear. Durability is important considering how rough kids can get at times. Each seat is perfectly sized for one child's use, in whatever posture she prefers.

My favorite feature of the Circle Seats is that they are versatile and portable. There is practically no limit to how and where you can use them. They are great for both indoor and outdoor activities. Each child may pick and sit on their favorite color during story time, at a play date, on a movie night, or for a picnic party. My boys used to sit or kneel directly on the floor when they build LEGO sets. Now they can get themselves more comfortable by sitting or kneeling on the Circle Seats instead. Mommy (that is me) is happier because their pants are better protected from dirt and damage. I bet no moms with boys are unfamiliar with knee holes in their boys' pants :) We also love using the rugs on our family game nights and bringing them along for movies in the park.

Curious George Documentary Kickstarter Campaign Official Launch

Did you know that Curious George, the world's most beloved monkey is turning 75 years old this year? While this smart, kind, and curious character brings back fond memories of childhood and family across generations, have you ever wondered who created Curious George and why they created him? Today, in celebration of George's big birthday, filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki launches the Kickstarter campaign for the first ever mixed-­media documentary about Curious George, Monkey Business: The Curious Adventures of George’s Creators, which delves into the extraordinary lives of Hans and Margret Rey, the authors of the Curious George children’s books.

The Reys were of German­-Jewish descent and narrowly escaped the Nazis on makeshift bicycles they rode across Europe, carrying the yet-­to­-be-­published Curious George manuscript with them. To tell this remarkable story, Yamazaki obtained exclusive rights from the Rey's estate and gained access to the over 300 boxes of the Reys’ personal archives at the de Grummond Collection, housed at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Through a unique and Rey­-inspired technique of animation, as well as archival photographs, Monkey Business tells the story of the Rey couple's lives, the birth of George and how the well-­loved children's book character almost didn't come to fruition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Universal hold the publishing and merchandising rights to the literary and cultural icon, but it is Yamazaki who has been entrusted with documenting this inspiring story of perseverance, adventure, family and what it means to be a world citizen.

Captain Jake and the Neverland Pirates: The Great Never Sea Conquest DVD Review

Arrr! New episodes of Disney Junior's hit series Captain Jake and the Neverland Pirates are coming to DVD today! The Captain Jake and the Neverland Pirates: The Great Never Sea Conquest DVD includes 6 full episodes offering 2 hours of animation fun!

Synopsis:

Join newly promoted Captain Jake as he unites Never Land’s all-time greatest pirates! When evil mer-witch Ezmeralda tries to take over the Never Sea by awakening the Strake, a legendary three-headed sea serpent, Jake and his crew try to intervene but encounter Lord Fathom and his sidekick Sinker. Jake forms a team of "Never Land League of Pirate Captains" to battle them all and in the process, outfitted with a magical new sword and a powerful new ship (the Mighty Colossus), he becomes a Captain himself. Can Captain Jake -- along with Izzy, Cubby and Skully -- foil Lord Fathom and save the day? Loaded with excitement, additional adventures and a powerful message about believing in yourself, this high-stakes, high-seas adventure is oceans of swashbuckling fun for everyone!

Episodes:

• The Great Never Sea Conquest
• Into the Heart of Coldness/The Remarkable Beardini!
• Escape from Ghost Island/The Island of Doctor Undergear
• Rise of the Pirate Pharaoh/The Golden Hook
• The Mystery of the Mighty Colossus/The Doubloon Monsoon
• Shark Attack!/Captain Hook’s Colossal Collision

As long-time fans of Captain Jake and his crew, my boys really enjoyed watching this action-packed, adventure-filled DVD. They were so happy to watch so many episodes in a row. Besides the exciting storyline, they also learned about leadership, team work, courage and many other precious qualities that contribute to the ultimate triumph of Good over Evil. What's more? The DVD comes with a FREE exclusive 3D Colossus puzzle ship you can’t get anywhere else! It definitely added to the fun of watching their favorite show.

Get your own copy of Captain Jake and the Neverland Pirates: The Great Never Sea Conquest DVD for just $14.99 today at Amazon.com and major national retailers like Walmart, Best Buy and Toys R Us!

Disclosure: I received a free product to facilitate my honest review. All views and opinions expressed are my own and may differ from yours.

Teeth Fairies Gift Set Giveaway (ARV $50)

Has your child started losing her baby teeth? Does she believe in tooth fairy? This adorable Teeth Fairies gift set, consisting of a doll and a hardcover picture book, will help her go through the process with fun and sweet memories. Enter to win one for your little angel!

Hosted by Joy Makin' Mamas

Co-Hosted by Michigan Savings and More

The Teeth Fairies story takes a new spin on the classic tradition and suggests that there are more than one tooth fairy. Joy Makin' Mamas received a copy of this book set for review. You may visit her blog to check out what she thinks about it.

One lucky reader will win a Teeth Fairies Gift Set valued $49.99!

Have Fun with Otter Pops #YouOtterKnow

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jel Sert. All opinions are 100% mine.

What is your favorite thing about summer? Exciting outdoor activities, creative fashion experiments, or yummy frozen treat? One of the things my children love most about summer is that they can have popsicles every day! If you live in the western portion of the U.S., you're in luck! Because you will have the chance to try out Otter Pops, which come in six fruity flavors, featuring fun characters known as the Otter Pop Stars.

Otter Pop Stars include Sir Isaac Lime, Little Orphan Orange, Strawberry Short Kook, Louie-Bloo Raspberry, Poncho Punch, and Alexander The Grape. My elder son loves all the flavors, but the Little Orphan Orange is his absolute favorite. As far as the character goes, his likes Strawberry Short Kook best because he thinks she looks the funniest of all. And she looks so cool as a female drummer!

Otter Pops are made from real fruit juice and contain no major allergens. Besides enjoying a wholesome snack, your kids may have even more fun with their favorite Otter Pops, including music, dance, art, and more. Visit www.otterpopstars.com to check out all the fun facts about Otter characters and complete interesting activities while on the site!

My children love the music videos because they are funny, cheerful and the best way to see Otter Pop Stars in action. The "Fun Stuff" section is where you can learn something interesting from each Otter character, such as foreign language starters, art projects, pet care tips, and even a berry sweet poem written by Louie. What we finding most useful is "How to Tell a Fruit from a Vegetable".  Are you surprised that tomatoes, cucumbers, zuchini, peppers and coffee actually belong to the fruit family? And we look forward to creating our very own drum set when we have all the materials on hand!

Otter Pops are social beings too. You can connect with Otter Pops on Facebook and follow @OtterPops on Twitter.

KinderCare Secret Science of Dirt Spring Camp

Spring is the perfect time for outdoor play. Would you like your kids to learn valuable knowledge while having outdoor fun with their peers? KinderCare Learning Centers are hosting the Secret Science of Dirt Spring Camp throughout the months of March and April at 1,600 locations nationwide. Through five full days of exciting, hands-on science activities, children will be given a worm's-eye view of the world and the chance to unlock the mysteries of dirt and nature. The spring camp is designed to help children respect and connect to nature and uncover the answers to questions they have about the world around them.

The Secret Science of Dirt Spring Camp is open to both school-agers and preschoolers. School-age learners will have the chance to get their hands dirty by tackling everything from planting vegetables to composting, while preschool and pre-kindergarten learners will explore vegetables, herbs, flowers, and rock gardening. All campers will enjoy age-appropriate activities that discover the secrets of science as they plant popcorn seeds, grow herbs, make chlorophyll prints, prepare tasty vegetable treats and put their creativity to work by crafting decorations to learn how to beautify even the littlest patch of green.

This certainly sounds like a lot of fun to me. I can't wait to see how my son would be doing in his first camp. You may look up for the KinderCare Learning Centers near you here and reserve a spot for your kiddo via phone. Even if you have to miss the spring camp,  you can still sign up for the upcoming KinderCare Summer Camp, which offers 12 different themes! You're also welcome to connect with KinderCare on Facebook and Twitter for their latest news and events.

Disclosure: KinderCare provided me with information through MomSelect. I will receive a free week to the spring camp to facilitate my review. No monetary exchange took place.

LinenKids July Giveaway-Last Day to Enter

I was recently introduced to a cute site called LinenKids, where you can find natural and handmade linen items for children. They host a monthly giveaway on their site. Simply subscribe to their newsletter (use the "Subscribe & Win" box in the upper left corner of their homepage) and you'll be automatically entered to win! This month's prize is Linen Scarf Butterfly White. Winner will be randomly selected and announced on their blog. Hurry and good luck!

Master Lock $5,000 Secure Your Future Sweepstakes

Just in time for back-to-school, Master Lock has introduced two new families of patented combination locks – the 1500iD Speed Dial™ Set-Your-Own Combination Lock and the 1590D Set-Your-Own Combination Lock, which were designed with brand new technology and with students’ unique learning styles in mind:

- The Speed Dial Set-Your-Own Combination Lock opens on up-down-left-right directional movements, instead of the traditional rotary dial, and can be customized with letters, shapes or numbers, depending on how students most easily remember their combination

- The Set-Your-Own Combination Lock is a traditional rotary dial for students more comfortable with that method, but with a new reset feature that allows them to choose their own combination using, letters, numbers or both

In addition to keeping kids’ text books and gym clothes safe, Master Lock is also helping kids keep their secrets safe and secure online with the “Master Lock Secret Vault” Facebook application. After installing the application, participants have a chance to win a cash prize in the “Master Lock $5,000 Secure Your Future Sweepstakes.”

Let's Play Giveaway #6: Retro Rocket Ride-On Toy

~~The giveaway is now CLOSED~~

I would like to recommend to you All Children's Furniture, a great online store specializing in children's products. Don't be misled by the name though. You can find everything there, from toddler beds to toys, far beyond the scope of furniture. I enjoy shopping at All Children's Furniture not only because it offers a wide range of children's products at fair prices, but also because it has made the shopping process really simple for me. I can choose to shop by brand, by theme, by name, by price, or by category. On each product page, there are related items in the side bar and links to similar products in addition to a very detailed product description, including background to the manufacturer.

It's now a good time to shop at All Children's Furniture because you'll receive 5% off all orders now through Sunday July 12th using code 5OFFSALE.

To cheer up my party guests, All Children's Furniture has generously donated this cool Retro Rocket Ride-On Toy for a giveaway. A perfect toy for toddlers!

Here are product details from the website:

3-2-1 Blast Off! The minute your child hops onto the Retro Rocket Ride-On he will feel like an astronaut up in outer space. By using the realistic astronaut and space sounds it really puts your child in the pilot seat. With under seat storage, your child can bring all of his imaginary friends and toys with him for a rocket ride none of them will ever forget.



Features:

• Shiny red finish

• Suitable for ages over 10 months

• Cool retro styling

• Realistic astronaut and space sounds (three AA batteries included)

• "3-2-1 Blast Off!" feature puts kid in pilot seat

• Clicking nose cone

• Underseat storage

• Diameter of wheels: 5"

Additional pictures are available here.

The Giveaway

One of my lucky readers will win a Radio Flyer - Retro Rocket Ride-On! It's now on sale for $64.99!

Required Entry: Visit All Children's Furniture, and leave a comment telling me your favorite product from the site other than the one being given away. (Please leave a valid email address in your comment or make sure one is visible in your blogger profile).


Extra Entries (optional): please make sure you do the required entry first! Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, i.e. 1 comment=1 entry.

• Follow my blog publicly (1 extra entry)
  
• Subscribe to my feed via email (1 extra entry) and leave your email address.
• Follow Me on Twitter AND tweet the following message (1 extra entry per day) Yes! You may tweet once daily to increase your chances:

RT @luckytoddler Toy giveaway! Win a cool Retro Rocket Ride-On! http://tinyurl.com/rideo #giveaway #play
Please leave your Twitter id or the link to your tweet in your comment.

• Fave me on Technorati (2 extra entries) and leave your user name
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to toddler beds (or All Children's Furniture) and Me, and leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry for mentioning this giveaway on your blog; 3 extra entries for a separate blog post).
• Leave a relevant comment on this post (1 extra entry).
• Leave a relevant comment on this post (1 extra entry).
  
• Enter any current giveaway at Kiddies Corner Deals and tell me which one (1 extra entry max. You're enouraged to enter as many of Nichol's giveaways as possible, but you'll only get one extra entry here.)

Giveaway ends at 11:59 Central Time on 7/25/09
Open to US Residents Only.
Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
Thanks for entering and good luck!

Let's Play Giveaway #1: Big Eye Dummies

~~The giveaway is now CLOSED.~~

I can't repeat enough how much I love blog parties, but it just occurred to me that I have never thrown a party of my own. So how about right now? I've decided to experiment with a buttonless party called "Let's Play" and see how it goes. So whenever you enter a giveaway labeled "Let's Play", you'll be my party guest. Without further ado, let's get the party started!




I've got a passion for plush toys since I was a little girl. Over the years, I've collected quite a few: big and small, funny and pretty, mass-produced and handmade. But the Big Eye Dummies are so unique that nothing in my current collection can be comparable.

What are Big Eye Dummies? They are designer plush dolls equipped with interchangeable eyes and mouths. Approved for all ages, they are recommended for ages 2 to immature adults (that includes me, haha:D). The six members in the Big Eye Dummies family range from 12 to 14.5 inches in height. Each doll has its unique character and comes with 2 sets of eyes and mouths. The eyes and mouths are gently sewn down. Simply cut and remove the threads to start exploring the mix and match fun!

Designed by David Lipson, a professional Animation Producer and Director, Big Eye Dummies are best known for the following features:

• Sewn with high quality thread instead of staples or nails
• Filled with fluffy soft stuffing instead of rocks or bricks
• Shown by focus testing to really enhance the "cuddle and snuggle" factor for children
• Tested by independent laborotaries in America and complying with the European and American Toy Safety Standards.

Big Eye Dummies recently recieved the Creative Child Magazine's Preferred Choice Award! They can be purchased at www.BigEyeDummies.com for $19.99 each.

The Giveaway

While I'm anxiously waiting my son to turn 2 years old to test out Big Eye Dummies, one of you, my lucky readers could win a Big Eye Dummies plush doll of your choice! That's an awesome party favor, isn't it?

Required Entry: Visit Big Eye Dummies and leave a comment telling me which doll you'd choose if you won. (Please leave a valid email address in your comment or make sure one is visible in your blogger profile).


Extra Entries (optional): please make sure you do the required entry first! Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, i.e. 1 comment=1 entry.

• Follow my blog publicly (1 extra entry)
  
• Subscribe to my feed via email (1 extra entry) and leave your email address.
• Follow Me on Twitter AND tweet the following message (1 extra entry per day) Yes! You may tweet once daily to increase your chances:

RT @luckytoddler Big Eye Dummies giveaway! Win a big doll with interchangeable eyes and mouths! http://tinyurl.com/mpofbp #giveaway #play
Please leave your Twitter id or the link to your tweet in your comment.

• Fave me on Technorati (2 extra entries) and leave your user name
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to Big Eye Dummies and Me, and leave the link in your comment (1 extra entry for mentioning this giveaway on your blog; 3 extra entries for a separate blog post).
• Enter any current giveaway at Kiddies Corner Deals and tell me which one (1 extra entry max. You're enouraged to enter as many of Nichol's giveaways as possible, but you'll only get one extra entry here.)
• Leave a relevant comment on this post (1 extra entry) This will help bring you another great giveaway!

Giveaway ends at 11:59 Central Time on 7/5/09
Open to US & Canadian Residents.
Winner will be chosen using random.org and will have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
Thanks for entering and good luck!