Since text voting results are one factor in determining the contest’s winner, you now have the opportunity to help one of the finalists win by text messaging your vote for your favorite product! Text in your vote by June 26 at midnight (CDT). Standard text messaging rates apply, voters may submit votes daily, and voting is open to all mobile carriers.  

The finalists are…

• BibBaby- BibBaby, a bib that extends to and across the lap, was designed with mommies in mind! With a strong snap in the back, the bib is not easily torn off keeping your baby clean. To vote for BibBaby text “Big 1” to 839863.
• EZ Off BBQ Tools- EZ Off BBQ Tools are a set of utensils that were designed to rid you of the hassle of barbecuing by easily removing the food from the BBQ Tools. With this creation, there is no need to dirty extra utensils and your hands stay away from the fire. To vote for EZ Off BBQ Tools text “Big 2” to 839863.
• Freedom Gates- Your beautifully decorated home does not have to be spoiled with bulky, unattractive dog gates when you add a pet to your family! Freedom Gates offer a stylish alternative with its durable, clear, acrylic panels, and unique designed screens. To vote for Freedom Gates text “Big 3” to 839863.

For more details of contests, please click here and here.

Hey everyone! Great opportunity to win an all expense paid family vacation. Refer info below:

Make this Father’s Day special by spending a lot of time with Dad instead of a lot of money. SKIL Power Tools and LOWE’S Home Improvement are offering inexpensive projects designed to provide hours of priceless memories for kids and dads alike. In addition, you can take advantage of the opportunity to enter your family fun project into the SKIL Building Memories Contest for a chance to win one of more than a hundred different prizes.

Kids and moms can surprise dad by choosing one of four project plans and getting all the materials they need at participating LOWE’s locations. The project plans are available both in LOWE’s stores and at www.SKILBuildingMemories.com, along with a complete list of materials and tools they will need. Then, all you need to do is capture the building and bonding process with video or photos and enter your completed project for a chance to win. Plans range in difficulty level and are appropriate for children ages 4 and up. Entries will be judged based on the quality of the completed project shown. The top entry for each project plan will be awarded an all-expenses paid trip for four to a Worlds of Discovery park of their choice. Worlds of Discovery Parks to include, SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Sesame Place, Adventure Island and Water Country USA. Prize package includes hotel accommodations, roundtrip airfare and more.

Just in time for Father’s Day, the contest kicks off May 11 and ends July 10. Eight second-place winners will each receive a SKIL Benchtop Workshop including a table saw, miter saw, drill press, grinder and band saw; 20 third-place winners will receive a SKIL 18V Lithium Ion Combo Kit; and 100 fourth-place winners will receive a SKIL Power Wrench. Winners will be notified by mail on or about September 1, 2009.

To find a list of projects, tools and materials needed and official rules, visit www.SKILBuildingMemories.com. You can complete your entry with a few easy steps on this site, or, you can enter via the SKIL Building Memories Facebook Page, at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Skil-Building-Memories/60027929241?ref=ts (You must download the application at the bottom of the page to enter)
 
The contest ends on July 12, so there’s still plenty of time to pick a project, spend some quality time with your loved ones, and win some great prizes!

Congratulations to

ilja and Kim

 for winning a copy of

The Purpose of Boys each

Please claim your prize by verifying your email address using the Contact Form here. If any of the prizes remain unclaimed by 5th June 2009, I will be doing a replacement draw.

Thank you to everyone who participated

The coming of the month June usually signifies the celebration of fatherhood the world over. With Father’s Day occurring on a number of regionally varying dates in the June, children often spend the days prior to the occasion buying gifts and making cards to let their fathers know how much they are loved and the importance of the role that they play in the children’s lives. For a special day such as this one, children often look for meaningful and useful gifts that can convey the love they have in their hearts for their fathers. North Face Jackets are known to make excellent gifts, combining both utility and elegance into one dynamic package and complimenting an occasion as unique and sentimental as Father’s Day with their own sense of inimitable style.

Celebrated across the world, the sentiment behind this wonderful occasion highlights the unique bond that is shared between children and their fathers. While boys look up to fathers as role models, girls look up to their daddies as their protectors. The day celebrates a love that lasts for a lifetime and beyond, and the gifts commemorating the occasion too need to perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the day and all that it stands for.

The tradition for celebrating Father’s Day as an independent occasion can be dated back to the 20th century, as early as the year 1908. Initially the proposal for introducing the occasion as an official day on the calendar was met with a lot of opposition but eventually went on to be appreciated when a bill came into passing on the year 1913. In the year 1924, the then President of the United States, President Calvin Coolidge showed enthusiasm at the suggestion which went a long way in garnering support for the same.

If you too are looking to make this Father’s Day special, surprise your dad with a North Face Jacket he is sure to love!

THE PURPOSE OF BOYS is the final volume in Michael Gurian’s trilogy on boys development. In this book, Gurian presents a tool kit for parents who want to discover how to inspire the ultimate fulfillment of their son’s life. As he explains, “purpose” is vital for the success and happiness of every boy.

THE PURPOSE OF BOYS outlines a map parents can use to help their own sons wrestle with everyday life events and growth. And the book serves as a model to help all our sons seek a successful future, while still boys, adolescents, and young men.

The Purpose of Boys could not have arrived at a better time as lately, I’ve come to terms that my parenting techniques  were not working with my 9 year old son. It could be also that I am not communicating effectively with him.  When reprimanded, my son would appear to be remorseful as well as understand what I’m saying but the next minute, he would be repeating the same mischief again. Every now and then, I can hear myself repeating “Back then when I was your age, I was never like that!” .

After reading this insightful book,I learnt from Gurian that it was unfair to make such comparison - “Back then” was close to 3 decades ago and “Now” was a totally different generation where children at a young age, are more exposed to electronic media, educational levels are higher, there are more pressure from society to succeed, etc.

I found some solace  in the fact that studies have proven - Apart from the difference in biological aspects, there are also neurological differences between boys and girls. In other words, a boy’s body and brains are wired differently. Now, that REALLY explains why my kids react differently to my parenting styles. 

Gurian asserts that it is important for boys to find their sense of purpose. Otherwise, they will lose their sense of direction and eventually turn to unhealthy activities such as dropping out from school, turning to drugs, alcohol, gang violence and more. The author recommends utilizing a rite of passage system where parents can join together with other adults—leaders, mentors, coaches—and such institutions as schools and churches, to help boys refocus and get back on track.

My take on the book : Gurian points out that today’s adolescent males are scared, confused and insecure, calls for a change in the way the rest of the world view boys and he offers solutions!  This book gives me so much insight into how I could relate with my 9 year old son. Anyone (especially parents) who is thoughtful about raising sons and committed to doing the best job possible should take a good look at this book!

WIN IT : I’m giving away a copy of The Purpose of Boys to two lucky readers. Check out how you can win:

• Single mandatory entry - Visit The Gurian Institute and tell me one fact about Micheal Gurian
• Three additional entries - If you tweet about this giveaway (please leave your twitter id)
• Three additional entries - If you blog about this giveaway and link it to this post. Please leave your post url
• This giveaway is open to all destination that the USPS ships to.
• Giveaway closes on 28th May 2009 and winners will be drawn using the Random.org.

Congratulations to

Audra

and

tiffany pettey

 for winning a copy of

Personalized Name Pillows e-Book each

Please claim your prize by verifying your email address using the Contact Form here. If any of the prizes remain unclaimed by 25th May 2009, I will be doing a replacement draw.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

WISHING ALL MOTHERS

MAY YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL AND ENJOYABLE DAY

Each of my kids have their own pillow, not personalized ones but specially sewn for them by my mom. They are awfully attached to their respective security pillows and must have them during their sleep. Though my older boy has outgrown his pillow, the younger one has been bugging me to sew her a bigger and “prettier” one.

Being terrible at sewing, I was lucky to have discovered the Personalized Name Pillows pdf version book which is available from YouCanMakeThis.com. I was amazed how easy it was to follow the step by step instructions! The book comes with pattern, alphabet cut-outs and easy instruction and even teaches you how to pair fabrics of your choice. You really wouldn’t believe how simple making a personalized pillow can possibly be until you try it.

WIN IT : Thanks to YouCanMakeThis, I am giving away two e-book of Personalized Name Pillows to two lucky readers. You can participate by:

• One entry - Let me know whom you would like to make this pillow for
• Three additonal entries - if you tweet this giveaway (please leave your twitter id)
• Giveaway is open to everyone
• Giveway closes on 16th May 2009
• Two winners will be picked using the random.org. Please remember to check back here for the winner announcement post.