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Vote for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

While in NYC this summer, I had the amazing opportunity to spend an evening with several of the people that work for the Toy Industry Association. It was a nice chance to talk to them about our love of techy and education toys, along with the need for more focus on boy items.

Just before Thanksgiving, The Toy Industry Association unveiled nominees for the 11th Annual Toy of the Year Awards.

Established in 2000 as the "Oscars" of the North American toy industry, the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards bring colleagues together to salute the "best of the best" and celebrate the success, creativity and playful spirit of toys and play.

This year they are doing things a little differently. This is the first year that consumers can also vote for their favorite products in 11 different categories. Anyone can vote from November 22, 2010—January 12, 2011. When you register your votes, you even enter for a chance to win toys from a category that you select. The awards will be announced Saturday, February 12, 2011 in NYC.

So what are the categories? Here they are with a brief explanation of each from The Toy Industry Association:

Activity Toy of the Year
Toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity

Boy Toy of the Year
Toys developed for boys of any age

Educational Toy of the Year
Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play

Game of the Year
Children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats. (Note: all electronic games must have an ESRB "early childhood" rating)

Girl Toy of the Year
Toys developed for girls of any age

Infant /Toddler Toy of the Year
Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)

Innovative Toy of the Year
Toys that combine innovation and play value

Outdoor Toy of the Year
Toys designed for outdoor play

Preschool Toy of the Year
Toys developed for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5)

Property of the Year
Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry

Specialty Toy of the Year
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers

To see the actual toys nominated and vote, please head to www.toyawards.org. While looking at the toys, take time to vote and check out the downloadable list that you can print off for holiday shopping.We own a few of the toys that are up for awards. Here are a few teaser photos:

Happy voting!

Disclosure: I just wanted to share this information with my readers. As a fan of toys, I thought this would be a fun experience for everyone involved. I did not receive any compensation for sharing about the Toy of the Year Awards, in fact I am less likely to win the prizes now since more people will be entering *wink*

Bing and the Our School Needs program

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Right now, budgets are extremely limited in schools. At my son’s school, nurse teachers were cut, librarians let go, and many programs slashed. Thanks to this and other local issues, the school has been on the chopping block year after year. Below is a photo of my son last year at a rally to save his school (something no child should ever need to go to).

Our school is currently trying to implement a gifted and talent program for students that need to advance in their studies and have enrichment. The problem – no money. Parents like myself are trying to help and research items to use in the school that are cost-effective and will not burden the teachers any more than they already are. It is a very trying time to say the least, especially as the parent of a child that needs this programing.

Our PTA works hard to supplement the school with field trips, speakers and other programs for the students. Together, as a team, we work to better the educational experience for our children. I have to admit that we are very lucky that we have a groups of parents that genuinely care and come into the school to volunteer their time. This year, I am hoping to assist more in the classrooms as well. As a certified reading teacher, I hope to volunteer and help children that need a little more help with their literacy skills. With my little guy in nursery school a few days, I can do this and it always feels amazing to see the twinkle in a child’s eyes when they have an "ah-ha" moment.

So what can we do to help our school? First, go to your school join the PTA, ask your child’s teacher or principal how you can help. Perhaps sending in extra classroom supplies, working in the lunch room, or assisting with another item would help. Of course, companies like Bing are trying to help. Bing just announced their "Our School Needs" program. Here is a video about the submission process for the program.

General info about Our School Needs:

How the Our School Needs Contest Works

We want to hear from teachers and students about what their school needs most. Look around your school and think about how it would benefit from winning $100,000.

What To Do

Students can work in groups, classes, or even school-wide to write an essay and take pictures finishing the sentence "Our School Needs: ___________." To enter:

1. Write an essay (500 to 800 words)
2. Take pictures (3 to 5 photos)
3. Film a video (not required, but fun! Maximum of 3 minutes in length)

Who Can Enter

Any student or teacher from a K-12 school can enter. While students under 18 are encouraged to create the entry, a parent, legal guardian or a teacher must submit it.

What Could Our School Win?

Bing will award a quarter-million dollars, divided among four schools—$50,000 to three first-prize winners, and one $100,000 grand prize.

Categories

Schools will be broken out into 3 categories, K-6, 7-9 and 10-12. The top-voted entry in each category will be awarded a first prize of $50,000. The entry that receives the largest number of overall votes during the voting phase will receive the grand prize of $100,000.

To read more information about the Bing My School Needs contest, please go to their web site. I know that I will be forwarding this to my son’s school in hopes that we can apply and ease some of the yearly fears about keeping our school open and programs within it. Don’t forget, the last day to enter is Friday, October 22!

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Bing and received a DonorsChoose.org giving code and a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Snap, share and win!

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

TechyDad and I take a lot of photos (shocking isn’t it?!). Of course, in the summer time we seem to take even more. When the kids are riding on a boat at the lake, playing in the sand, at the amusement park or visiting with relatives – we capture them all. There definitely seem to be more in the summer than almost any time of year. If you are the same, you may want to hear about a new contest from Rayovac.

 

Snap, Share & Win! Rayovac Summer Photo Contest:

The Snap, Share & Win! Rayovac Summer Photo Contest will begin August 2, 2010 and will conclude on August 29, 2010.  Each week will feature a different photo theme.  Eligible contestants will be able to complete the entry form on Rayovac’s website, upload a photo and specify the theme.  Contestants may upload 1 photo each week for a maximum of 3 photos.  Once photos are posted, viewers can vote for 1 photo a day and add an unlimited number of comments.  Contestants and viewers can share the contest with their friends (eighteen years old or older) utilizing the “Invite Friends” button or by sending an email.  The photos receiving the most votes for each theme will win prizes.  Rayovac Powers Fun, have fun and be creative with your photo entries! All levels of photography welcome!

PRIZES
For each of the three themes there will be:
Grand Prize- a Digital Camera Package, complete with a Photo Printer and Rayovac Rechargeables and a Digital Photo Frame for three of the Grand Prize Winner’s friends.
Second Place Prize- Photo Printer
Runner Up Prize- Digital Photo Frame Keychain.

Phase One:  Submit photo entry August 2, 2010- August 22, 2010.
(Week 1: Fun with Water Photo. Week 2: Fun Pet Photo. Week 3: Summer Fun Photo)
Phase Two: Public Vote August 2, 2010- August 29, 2010.
Phase Three: Winners Announced September 8, 2010.   

Rayovac Summer Photo Contest Blogger Promotion Rules: http://www.rayovac.com/snapsharewin/rules.html

I know that we will be entering this contest, it looks like a lot of fun. Be sure to like Rayovac on Facebook to keep up to date and if you have a blog share the contest widget like I have above.

Disclosure: The first 50 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Summer Photo Contest won a prize from Rayovac. No other compensation was given. I simply wanted to share this contest with my readers.

Help Fight Ovarian Cancer & Try to Win Electrolux Appliance

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Do you dream of a guilt and fat free Banana split? Well thanks to Kelly-Confidential and Electrolux you can make your own virtual Banana Split that helps a great cause. When you make your own Banana Split at www.Kelly-Confidential.com they will donate $1 to Ovarian Cancer research.

Did I catch your attention? Here is more information about the program:

Kelly Ripa and Electrolux are joining forces once again to celebrate the launch of Electrolux Appliance’s new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer – that’s right, the familiar duo has split up., And to sweeten the celebration, they’re bringing in the "Emperor of Ice Cream" Stephen Bruce, owner and founder of Serendipity 3, the landmark New York City restaurant and dessert spot, into the mix. 

Kelly and Bruce teamed up earlier today to make banana splits for a cause. And now we want you to dig in, with your virtual spoon! Starting today, at  www.Kelly-Confidential.com, you can build your ultimate banana split using virtual ingredients from classic whipped cream to caramel sauce to rainbow sprinkles. For each "split", Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund as part of its $750,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.  (From 6/29/10 – 9/7/10, Electrolux will donate $1 to OCRF for each banana split made, with a minimum of $35K and a maximum of $40K)

So what are you waiting for? Head on over and build your very own banana split! I already made mine here:

Everyone who logs on to the site and builds a split will be automatically entered for a chance to win the daily prize – $50 towards sweet summer treats – and the grand prize: the new stand-alone refrigerator and freezer from Electrolux. Good luck and have fun enjoying your guilt free treat!

Disclosure:  I did not receive any compensation for this post from Electrolux or MomSelect. In posting this I am entered for a chance to win a prize. Since I support this cause and love the creativity I would have posted without the entry to let you know how to help and try to win. 

Bloggy Giveaway Carnival – Winter 2009

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Stuffed animal love

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

I admit it, I am a recovering stuffed animal addict! I believe that this illness began as a child. Of course, the addiction really grew during my Care Bear and Pound Puppy years in elementary school. I believe that my parents were quite lucky that the Build-A-Bear Workshop did not exist when I was little, or more stuffed friends would have joined my world.

NHL was given his first stuffed friend, a My First Big Bird, from Uncle I. Bird was loved from day one. He would chew on his beak and he traveled all over. Bird was quite yellow in the early years. Here is NHL kissing bird and Bird watching over sleeping NHL.

Of course a boy can not have Big Bird alone. Thanks to Bubbe and Grandpa, Elmo and Cookie Monster joined the crew. Over the last five years, friends have come and gone, but the three Amigos remain on NHL’s bed. Here they are today along with his two favorite "squeaky" buddies. 

As you can see Bird has been very well loved over the years.

Tara at Feels like home is having a contest to win a $25 gift card to Build-A-Bear Workshop. All you have to do is tell about a most loved stuffed friend like NHL’s Big Bird. I sure hope her hubby Joe appreciates a boy and his love for Big Bird!

 

Memories of my childhood – Giveaway

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Shhhhhh. . . . I have a secret for you. Tomorrow is my birthday. As a reminder that my birthday is in December the temperatures finally took a major nose dive. This morning it was only 6 degrees outside with a windchill of -11! Happy almost birthday to me!

When I was in Elementary school, I have fond memories of my birthday parties. Many years I had them at an indoor pool and friends would come for Carvel ice cream cake after the swim. Of course, many years my goodie bag of gifts for friends was always Avon related. Why? Well, my mother was an Avon lady for many years. So we would give away funky nail polish, fun chap stick, or whatever was big at the time. I also recall having friends over and playing with the little Avon lipstick samples. Oh my, there were so many and they were all so very different, it was so neat as a young kid.

My mother stopped selling Avon a long time ago (more years than I care to mention), but my love of Avon has continued as an adult. When teaching, the homeroom teachers and I would buy our kids (all girls) Avon Christmas presents. Now, I often purchase makeup, chapstick, moisturizer, jewelry, Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise (love my pen from them), and even hair care products. Of course, the holidays are also a fabulous time to stock up on Avon items to add to gifts. I love their bath gels that are great with my knit washcloths.

Giveaway:

I am giving away the following items to one winner.

Color Reviving Shampoo

Color Reviving Conditioner

Dry Ends Serum

Grey Root Touch-Up  (brown and black)

In addition to this, everyone is welcome to use a free shipping code for holiday/birthday/everyday shopping on Avon.com. By entering the code JINGLE30 you will receive free standard shipping with a $30 order when they shop with an eRepresentative. This offer expires on January 1, 2009.

Rules for Giveaway:

• MAIN RULE – Leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is from Avon. This must be done or all bonus entries will not count.
• 1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
• 1Bonus Entry – Stumble this post and leave your Stumble name in a separate comment.
• 1 Bonus Entry – Favorite TheAngelForever in Technorati and leave your name there in a separate comment.
• 1 Bonus Entry – Follow me on Twitter (@TheAngelForever) and tweet once about my giveaway. Leave a link to your comment in a separate comment.
• 1 Bonus Entry – Add TheAngelForever to your blog roll and leave a separate comment.
• 3 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the giveaway. Be sure to leave 3 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra credit.

My Avon Memories of childhood giveaway will run through midnight (EST) on December 13, with winner being announced soon after. The winner will be chosen using Random.org  and will be notified by e-mail for address information. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me before another winner is chosen. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, sorry shipping is rough these days.

Have fun and thanks for participating in my birthday giveaway!

Holiday giveaway at 5 Minutes for Mom

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Be sure to head over to 5 Minutes for Mom when you have time.

Why? 

I suppose the mommy "because I said so" response simply will not cut it.  The reason, they are hosting a huge Christmas Giveaway!  (Pssst — these items will also be great for Chanukah gifts as well) Click on over to see what it is all about and to sign up for some fabulous prizes.

 

Fall ’08 Bloggy Carnival Winner. . .

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

Thank you to everyone that entered my bloggy giveaway this past week. I was blown away with the 357 entries and hope to see many of you back here to my home in the Blogosphere.

Now to announce the winner of my giveaway. Using Random.org the winner is: 

Congratulations to Moriah at Please Pass the Salt. She has already been notified and sent me her contact information. Now I am working with her on which washcloths she would prefer.

Stay tuned more giveaways will certainly be coming soon!

   

Bloggy Giveaway Carnival Time – Fall 2008

Monday, October 27th, 2008 « Previous Entries

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