Susan Heim on Parenting

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Winners for the Week of May 12, 2013

A SCHOLAR’S JOURNEY BOOK BLAST: KINDLE, $20 AMAZON GIFT CARD & eBOOK

Congratulations to the winner: Amanda W.!

DAVID’S SONG BOOK BLAST: $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD OR PAYPAL CASH

Congratulations to the winner: Amy J.!

$300 HOME DEPOT GIFT CARD AND “BROOD X” GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to the winner: Daraya!

$10 GIFT CODE FOR A MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION AT MAGAZINES.COM

Congratulations to the winner: Rose B.!

REMANUFACTURED INK CARTRIDGE FROM LD PRODUCTS (UP TO $100 VALUE)

Congratulations to the winner: Robin T.!

AMERICAN GIRL BITTY TWINS DOLLS WITH OUTFITS AND BOOK

Congratulations to the winner: Tabitha S.!

PAMPERS SWEET SLEEP TIME PRIZE PACK ($100 RV)

Congratulations to the winner: Linda L. and Kathie S.C.!

ALEXANDER DRAKE BOOK BLAST: $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD OR PAYPAL CASH

Congratulations to the winner: Tamara B.!

RING THE BELL (DVD)

Congratulations to the winner: Deanna T.!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Super Saturday Giveaway Linky (May 18, 2013)

I know it's only May, but it feels like summer is here already. My oldest son has graduated from college. My second son is home from college and working his summer job. One of my twins has started his summer swim team practice and his brother has started practices for his baseball travel team. And it's been really warm, too. The twins will be out of school in a few weeks and starting summer camp, and then it will really feel like summer. Hurray! Let's celebrate by entering some giveaways! Check out those listed in the linky below and on my right sidebar. And if you're hosting a giveaway, please share it with us in the linky. Happy (almost) summer!

Reach for Rooibee Red Tea This Summer!

Summer is almost here, so it’s a good time to remind ourselves to drink plenty of fluids to stay well-hydrated on those hot summer days. Unfortunately, so many of the drinks available are not healthy choices. I admit that I’ve mixed up plenty of pitchers of sugar and powdered drink mixes for my kids, and kept the refrigerator well-stocked with sodas for everyone. But this summer, I plan to serve my family a better choice -- tea, especially Rooibee Red Tea!

This bottled organic red tea made from the South African rooibos bush is certified USDA organic, caffeine-free, high in antioxidants, and low in calories. And it comes in 5 delicious flavors: Cranberry Pomegranate, Peach, Vanilla Chai, Watermelon Mint, and Unsweetened. I recently had the opportunity to try all five flavors. I’m especially partial to the Vanilla Chai, but I love them all!

This summer, pledge to reach for healthier drinks in the summer heat, such as Rooibee Red Tea. Introduce it to the whole family, and turn them on to the great flavor and health benefits of tea. You can find Rooibee Red Tea in all 50 states, at stores like Kroger and Whole Foods. Learn more about this delicious beverage through the links below.

LINKS
www.RooibeeRedTea.com
Facebook.com/RooibeeRedTea
Twitter.com/RooibeeRedTea

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Waterpik Celebrates Home Improvement Month with Tips from Home Expert Cassandra LaValle, Plus a Giveaway for a Waterpik RainFall+ Showerhead and Home Depot Gift Card!

For those of us on a tight budget, Home Improvement Month might sound like an expensive way to celebrate the month, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Cassandra LaValle, founder of the lifestyle company, Coco+Kelley, wants you to know that you don’t have to use a lot of time or money to make the most of Home Improvement Month. So, I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to ask Cassandra some questions about updating my home, which she answered on this video exclusively for readers of my blog. Take a look!

Wasn’t that great?! As you saw in the video, updating your bathroom can be as major as replacing a tub, or it can be as simple as installing a new showerhead that will make you feel like you’ve spent a lovely time at the spa without the expense. Waterpik’s RainFall+ Powerspray showerhead is the ultimate in luxury! But don’t be intimidated by the thought of installing it yourself. My hubby had this thing in the shower in minutes! No plumber or special tools are required. I hate wimpy showers with low water flow, so now I’m in heaven with the Waterpik RainFall+ Powerspray because its OptiFLOW technology improves water force up to 30%. And the 7 high-performance spray settings ensure that you can select the shower experience you want. I love the wide showerhead that enables me to be engulfed in warm water. No cold spots, hurray!

So, now I’m having a very happy Home Improvement Month thanks to Cassandra LaValle and Waterpik, and I want you to have a great month, too. Read on to find out about an awesome giveaway for you!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will receive a Waterpik RainFall+ Powerspray showerhead (Model #ASR-733; $39.99 MSRP), some lovely candles to decorate your home, and a $25 Home Depot gift card! To enter, simply fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

Susan Heim on Parenting is pleased to be a stop on the tour for the new children’s book, Truck Stop, by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Melissa Iwai.

A little boy and his family own the truck stop along the side of the highway, and each day before school, the boy helps greet the truckers and serves them breakfast. He knows all of the “regulars,” from Eighteen-Wheeler to Diligent Dan’s Moving Van. But where is Green Gus, the old green pickup? As the boy travels to school on the bus, he spies Green Gus on the side of the road with a very sad driver beside it. He asks his school bus driver to call the truck stop so they can send Pete and Priscilla’s Tow Truck to pick up Green Gus and bring him back for Uncle Marty to fix. The boy saves the day, and the next day will bring more trucks to the truck stop for the boy and his family to welcome.

When I first received this book, I was expecting it just to be about different types of trucks, so I was delighted to find such an adorable story included. Children learn what it’s like to run a family business, where everyone pitches in and works hard to make it a special day for the people who depend on them. Kids will also be inspired by the little boy’s thoughtfulness in making sure that Green Gus receives the help he needs. And, of course, they will learn about the various types of trucks that travel our nation’s highways each day and the hard-working drivers who operate them. The colorful, eye-catching illustrations by Melissa Iwai are delightful, too. I highly encourage you to add this book to your child’s home library! And CLICK HERE to download some free Truck Stop themed activity sheets for your child by illustrator Melissa Iwai!

About the author:
Anne Rockwell (www.annerockwell.com) began writing and illustrating children's books in the 1950s and is well known and loved by generations of children. Her work has won many awards and accolades. She lives in Connecticut.

About the illustrator:
Melissa Iwai (www.melissaiwai.com) has illustrated over twenty picture books, and has both written and illustrated Soup Day. A California native, Melissa now lives in Brooklyn, not far from the Brooklyn Bridge, with her husband and son.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive the hardcover children’s book, Truck Stop, by Anne Rockwell. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

Impromptu Parties? Yes, Please! Great Party-Planning Tips and a Giveaway from Farm Rich (10 Winners)!

As parents, we're always crunched for time, but this doesn’t mean we need to stress when it comes time to host after-school activities, quick get-togethers, or weekend party fun. With a few key strategies, even impromptu parties are a snap to pull together. Here are five easy tips to help you embrace spontaneous gatherings and go from 0 to party in 30 minutes or less, plus you have a chance to win some free snacks from our friends at Farm Rich to make your life -- and party planning -- even easier!

1. For outdoor parties, nothing beats fun with classic lawn games like Frisbee, bocce, ladder ball or horseshoes. Groups are sure to gather to indulge in the fun, and lively conversation will inevitably follow.

2. For those hard-to-please teens, video games are ideal -- just make sure your system, game options and high-speed Internet are ready for intensive group play and there are plenty of snacks on hand.

3. Frozen appetizers you can pop in the oven and serve beside fresh seasonal items are ideal. Bake some Farm Rich Mozzarella Sticks, which are made with 100% real mozzarella and lightly seasoned. Kids and adults alike will devour these cheesy, delicious snacks. Add some zesty Farm Rich Jalapeño Peppers and everyone’s taste buds will be dancing. These snacks, available at Walmart and other grocery stores nationwide, pair well with fresh seasonal fare, such as grapes or strawberries, juicy sliced melon or chopped veggies with dip or salad.

4. If you have time, decorate for your last-minute shindig with simple yet clever decor. Want to add a summer vibe to your party? Skip the florist and cut some fresh buds from your backyard. If you’re stuck, a quick visit to Pinterest is sure to inspire.

5. Stressed about décor? Forget about it! Create a station on Pandora and play songs everyone will enjoy and that reflect the theme of your gathering. Fun and upbeat songs that embrace the warm weather will set the mood.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll throw a party that’ll make everybody happy. You’ll stress less and no one has to know you put the whole thing together in minutes.

GIVEAWAY

Ten (10) winners will each receive two (2) coupons for FREE Farm Rich products (www.farmrichcom), so you'll have snacks on hand for your next impromptu party! Enter for a chance to win one in the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end at 11:59 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 29, 2013.

The school-kids are coming -- are you ready?!

Award-winning author and busy mom of 3, Courtney Loquasto, wrote…

YEAR of LITTLE LESSON PLANS:

10 Minutes of Smart, Fun Things to Teach Your Little Ones Ages 3-8 Each Weekday

…because she was finding that all of the interesting things about everyday life she meant to teach her kids were taking a backseat to the day-to-day distractions that come along with raising them. Well, that and many of the historical facts and data about our world might have gotten ... ahem ... a bit “fuzzy” over the years.

So Courtney wrote and researched short, easy, age-appropriate lessons for parents to give their kids each weekday, in order to take advantage of those little golden teaching moments that happen throughout the family’s day (regardless of who forgets their lunch or has a stomach bug).

YEAR of LITTLE LESSON PLANS just won an Indie Book Award for Non-Fiction E-book, and was the Amazon #1 Bestseller for “Family Activities” in January and April. These little lessons have served as conversation-starters for families sitting in carpool or around the dinner table all over the world, and can now provide you with a little relief from the stress of having to come up with something new and interesting to talk about, each and every day -- just in time for summer!

We're giving away 5 signed copies of YEAR of LITTLE LESSON PLANS (paperback) -- just see the details below about how to enter! The book also reads great on a smartphone / e-reader, so if you'd rather take the book with you on your adventures, here’s a link to purchase the Kindle version ($7.99 on Amazon).

Best of luck, and Happy Summer!

GIVEAWAY

Five lucky people will win a signed paperback copy of YEAR of LITTLE LESSON PLANS: 10 Minutes of Smart, Fun Things to Teach Your Little Ones Ages 3-8 Each Weekday, by Courtney Loquasto! This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada, and will end at 11:59 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. Just enter through the easy Rafflecopter form below.

#SummerSplash Giveaway Hop: Enter to Win a Medisim TempleTouch Premium Thermometer to Do Battle with Those Summer Colds & Check Out the Big Grand Prize!

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Summer Splash Event hosted by Life With Two Boys and With Our Best!

A bunch of great blogs have come together to bring you some amazing prizes to help you kick off your summer... with a SPLASH! Each blog is giving away at least $25 worth of prizes, plus we have an awesome grand prize for one very lucky winner. Be sure to hop along to each of the participating blogs because the more giveaways you enter, the more chances you have at winning the Grand Prize!

So what’s this Grand Prize we’re talking about? Thanks to Trex Outdoor Furniture, one very lucky winner is going to win a Yacht Club 3-Piece Rocker Set valued at $1,317! Made in the USA and constructed of durable HDPE recycled lumber, this Rocker Set is sure to help you slow down and relax this summer and for many years to come!

Click Here to Enter the Grand Prize Giveaway!

And now let’s take a look at the awesome prize you can win on Susan Heim on Parenting! Have you ever been all ready to take a great summer vacation when one of the kids comes down with a cold? Or you’re hoping to enjoy a beautiful summer day but instead you’re stuck inside with a feverish kid? Unfortunately, that’s part of parenting, even during the beautiful summer months. To minimize the damage to your summer plans, you’ll want to help your child feel better as quickly as possible. That’s why the Medisim TempleTouch Premium Thermometer is such a great tool to have on hand during the summer months. You can take your child’s temperature on his temple in just six to eight seconds! Oh, how I wish I’d had this product when my kids were small and didn’t want a thermometer stuck under their tongue or you-know-where! With the TempleTouch, you can even take your child’s temp while he or she is sleeping, without interrupting valuable sleep time.

I absolutely love the Medisim TempleTouch Premium Thermometer, and I’m so glad that we have one in our household now. It’s accurate, easy-to-read, and so convenient. You can slip it into the diaper bag, your purse or luggage if you’re on the go. It also takes temperatures under the arm if you prefer that method. The award-winning TempleTouch Premium is so loved by parents that one is sold every minute in the United States! And it’s available in thousands of retail locations.

Features:
- Clinically Accurate (Meets ASTM Accuracy requirements)
- TWO Measurement Locations: Temple AND Underarm
- Instant measurement, only 6-8 seconds
- Does not cross-contaminate germs across family members
- Also displays room temperature
- Large and easy to read back-lighted LCD
- Over Dose Protective Timer (ODPT®) helps remind you of your child’s next medicine dose
- Memory-Recall of the last reading recorded
- Celsius/Fahrenheit scale
- Simple to operate, no scanning required

CLICK HERE to purchase a Medisim TempleTouch Premium Thermometer!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive a Medisim TempleTouch Premium Thermometer (a $29.99 value)! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end on May 27, 2013 at 11:59pm EST. Enter through the easy Rafflecopter form below.

Captain No Beard’s $200 Toys R Us Gift Card Giveaway!

Welcome to the $200 Toys R Us Gift Card Giveaway!

Hosted by Giveaway Promote.

Sponsored by author Carole P. Roman.

Carole P. Roman recently released volume four in her award-winning series, Captain No Beard! She's celebrating by giving away a $200 Toys R Us Gift Card or $200 USD via PayPal and a copy of two of her books!

Captain No Beard and the crew of the Flying Dragon welcome a new crewmember when Cabin Girl Cayla joins the ship. Responsible for his little sister, Captain No Beard is not very happy because he finds his newest charge a distraction. When faced with danger, the captain must find a way to escape. While learning valuable lessons about strangers, the crew realizes not to judge somebody because they are young or small. Strength comes in all sizes! Be sure to read Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas, Book 4 of the Captain No Beard series. It is available on Amazon!

If You Were Me and Lived in ... France is the second book in Carole P. Roman's remarkable series about countries all over the globe. With each book covering a different nation, Roman opens up a world of wonder while highlighting the fact that underneath it all we are far more alike than we might have imagined. Focusing on what life would be like from a child's viewpoint, she examines the diversity of the people who make up our planet. It is also available on Amazon!

About Carole P. Roman:

Award-winning author Carole P. Roman is happy to add Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas, Vol. 4, to her successful series. The first book of the series, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life, was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012, as well as received the Star of Remarkable Merit. It was also named as one of the Best Indie Books of 2013 with the Pinnacle Award.

Roman has two other series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...," children's nonfiction books on cultures around the world, and an introduction to yoga book for kids. She lives on Long Island with her husband and very close to her children and grandchildren.

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a $200 Toys R Us Gift Card, plus a copy of Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas and If You Were Me and Lived in … France. Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway. Refer your friends using your unique link at the top of the Rafflecopter for even more chances to win. One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.

Open Worldwide.

Ends at 11:59pm EST on May 26th, 2013.

Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop

May 13th – 19th

Hosted by

KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks

& I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast! For more information, visit www.bookweekonline.com.

In celebration of Children’s Book Week, every blog participating in this hop is offering a children’s book (picture, juvenile fiction, middle grade, or young adult), or a gift card to purchase one. Now read on for my review and giveaway of a fantastic book…

My boys have always been fascinated by water animals. They recently visited the Miami Seaquarium and couldn’t stop talking about how they got to feed the manatees and the manta rays, and were splashed by the dolphins in the dolphin show! One of my sons did a school project on sharks and can now name all kinds of them. So, they were excited to receive a copy of the new children’s book, Shimmer and Splash: The Sparkling World of Sea Life, by acclaimed naturalist Jim Arnosky. Published by Sterling Children’s Books, this beautifully illustrated hardcover book features more than 200 marine species, along with fascinating information about them. As a bonus, it includes giant fold-out pages of life-size animals! Contents include:

Inshore Hunters

Stingrays

Dolphins

Jellyfish

Deep-Sea Hunters

Sailfish

Coral Reef

A Good Place to Be

Sharks

Fighting Fiddlers

Waters of Wonder

Jim Arnosky functions as both author and illustrator, creating gorgeous, detailed -- and often life-sized -- drawings of the animals of the water. The text is his first-person account of seeking out these animals with his wife, Deanna, along with fascinating facts about each creature. As he notes in the introduction, “I wondered what it would be like to live in the sea, and I learned as much as I could about every creature I encountered. My wildlife journals quickly filled with sketches and notes of animals entirely new to me. I had found a naturalist’s paradise.”

This beautiful book will fascinate both children and adults. I hope you’ll pick up a copy for your family’s home library. And enter to win Shimmer and Splash below!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive Shimmer and Splash: The Sparkling World of Sea Life, by Jim Arnosky (hardcover)! This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends at 11:59 PM EDT on May 19, 2013.

Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Chicken Soup for the Soul Books for a Spoonful of Inspiration Every Day!

Chicken Soup for the Soul books are perfect for busy moms because the inspirational short stories can be read in small nuggets of time. Pick one up for a little bedtime reading, while you’re waiting for the kids to emerge from school or practice, or as a lovely way to start out the day. The following books are ideal for mothers.