Little Jet Set *edited to add a giveaway!*

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS PATTI!

So far, traveling with my kids has been hell. Literally. We've not had a trip yet that didn't involve sickness, crying, vomit or complete and total meltdowns (on all our parts). Come on now, admit it. How many of you would rather go to the dentist for a cavity filling than travel with your kids? Submit to an IRS audit? Go on a nature hike and forget your mosquito repellent?

Of course, that doesn't mean we won't keep trying for the perfect family vacation. Our next family vacation is in July - and this time we're skipping the airport and traveling by car. And now I think I've got a little something up my sleeve that is going to help with our travel woes.

And I'm happy to let you in on it too - Introducing Little Jet Set, "the one-stop-shop for everything families need for travel with kids."

You see, aside from the obvious trouble brought on by illness, most of the problem with traveling for us has been my kids' sheer boredom. And who can blame them? Airports, hotels and rental cars are not exactly hotbeds of activity for a 3 and 5 year old. All too often, we fall back on the DVD player, which is fine, if you want zombies in the back seat! I'd rather be interacting with my kids. And the ladies at Little Jet Set feel the same way: "Admittedly, we both own portable DVD players and iPods (no portable video games, yet) and acknowledge that sometimes they serve a purpose, but a limited one at best. As parents, we refuse to surrender completely to electronic gadgets because we know there are far better ways for our children to spend their travel time. We have discovered, and offer here to you, an amazing assortment of books, games, puzzles, toys, arts and crafts, and countless other activities that will stimulate your children’s imagination and foster creativity, thinking, happiness and family interaction."

"Little Jet Set provides an outstanding collection of kids’ products that foster intellectual, emotional and physical development through creative and interactive play. Best of all, their products are conducive to travel on the road or in the air to keep children organized and occupied. You’ll find everything from a boy's sampler of toiletries to a valise sleep-set packed in a hatbox, to dozens of travel-sized games for all ages. Many of Little Jet Set’s unique toys, games and books have been recognized for their outstanding designs, concepts and content by award organizations and publications. Parents can shop with confidence knowing they are buying products that have been tried and tested! Parents can shop from 15 categories to make finding the perfect item easy: •Award Winners •Books & Flashcards •Gifts •New Products •Clothing & Accessories • Journals & Albums •Age •Customer Favorites •Luggage & Bags •Arts & Crafts •Dolls & Stuffed Animals •Pillows & Blankets •Bath & Body •Games & Puzzles •Toys. Little Jet Set has more than 60 brands to choose from and shop by, in case families are fans of favorite names."

They were kind enough to send me two samples of their products to try out. First up is the Find It “At the Beach” toy which I requested since our vacation this summer will be to the Jersey shore:

" This creative beach-themed travel game can be played anywhere and never needs to be put away. Children and grown-ups alike will enjoy the hunt for over 40 colorful hidden beach treasures buried within layers of recycled plastic pellets. Like all of the games from Find It Games, it is completely self-contained so there are no pieces to lose. Spin it, shake it and twist it until all the treasures are found! For one or more players ages 5 and up. Suggested retail: $20.95. "

My kids loved this toy. Both of them sit in my lap for long periods of time as we look for the "beach treasures." My daughter delights in saying "Look what I found Mom!" and my son actually tears his eyes away from his beloved scooby-doo videos to look with me. My daughter even held it all the way to and from school yesterday - she didn't want to leave it at home. The game comes with a pad of tear off sheets with a list of all the items to be found so you can keep track as you locate them. Hours of fun, guaranteed. This is going to be perfect for the drive up.

Next up, I asked for the Lightning Bugs flashlight. Flashlights are a big hit in my house already and this dragonfly was no exception.

"Now you can stop leaving the lights on. Come nighttime, these little winged friends will make dark, unfamiliar hotel rooms, beach cottages, campgrounds – wherever – seem not so scary to little ones. Featuring an easy to locate on/off switch and an automatic shut-off that kids can reactivate, these darling flashlights in bug disguise will make falling asleep a breeze and middle of the night trips to the bathroom (or to mom and dad’s room) easy. From Manhattan Toy, available in three styles for ages 3 and up including Beetle, Bee and Dragonfly and comes with two replaceable AA batteries. Suggested retail: $12.00."

This became my daughter's favorite flashlight very quickly. And I think it's going to be a big hit in the hotel room this summer and for years to come - I think it'll be perfect for girl scout camp in a few years as well!

About Little Jet Set: Little Jet Set was co-founded by a pair of seasoned attorneys turned expert “mom travelers” who decided to take a sabbatical from practicing law to share their knowledge about the inherent challenges of traveling with children with parents like you. As “momprenuers,” Hana Wolf and Nisha Cordero carefully select thoughtfully designed and well-constructed products to share online at http://www.littlejetset.com/ that appeal to various ages and interests and that respond to the travel needs of today’s families.

For more information about Little Jet Set visit http://www.littlejetset.com/

**BONUS: get 10% off through April 30, 2008 with code SEETHAT10 on all purchases!

OR

WIN IT!!! Get your very own Find It “At the Beach” - go to the Little Jet Set website and email me the answer to the following question (use subject line "Little Jet Set") - "What is the name of the newest addition to the Trunki Ride-On Suitcase family?" Email me at cpamomva at hotmail dot com - I will draw a winner at random - you have until midnight, EST, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 to enter. Good Luck!