LEARNING IS AN ART PUTS THE “HO-HO-HO” IN ALL OF US

“Learning Is An Art”Sponsors A Holiday Arts Contest To Help Toys For Tots

"It has been said that the act of giving makes the soul smile. And nowhere is this more apparent than in Santa Claus. Giving is what makes him so jolly. It is what powers his sled. And it is most certainly what powers his “ho-ho-ho’s.” Taking a page from Santa’s giving book, Learning is an Art has announced a Print and Digital Media Contest to help not only underprivileged children have a happier holiday, but to put a bit of the old “ho-ho-ho” into the kids who help them.

Instead of donating money, schools across the country are being invited to have their students create works of art that promote the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots Program.” In order to help this charitable organization that provides holiday gifts for kids in need, young students can draw posters, write songs, take photographs and videos or submit any other print or digital-media projects about Toys for Tots. The idea is to publicize this wonderful program and show how children can help.

In addition to helping Toy for Tots, Learning is an Art will give prizes to the entrants and their schools. Here is the list of rewards:

• The winning elementary, middle and high schools will each receive a check for $1,000, and each student that creates a winning entry will receive a $100 Learning is an Art gift certificate.

• The 2nd place elementary, middle and high school will each receive a $100 gift certificate to Learning is an Art, and each student that creates a 2nd place entry will receive a $25 Learning is an Art gift certificate.

• All of the 1st and 2nd place winning entries will be displayed on the Learning is an Art website, www.learningisanart.com. The company will provide the schools with a certificate that can be copied to acknowledge each young person who participates.

All public and private elementary, middle and high schools (K-12), along with nonprofit homeschooling cooperatives are welcome to participate. The school should send the top 5 entries in one envelope to Learning is an Art, 52 Beacon Hill Drive, Metuchen, NJ, postmarks NO LATER than Friday, November 30, 2007. Digital media projects should be sent on a CD or DVD. Posters and photographs may be sent in paper format. No entries will be returned, so entrants should keep copies of the original.In addition to the contest, people can buy products from the Toys for Tots’ Wish List on the company’s website, www.LearningIsAnArt.com, and designate them as Toys for Tots donations. Learning Is An Art will ship them directly to Toys for Tots, along with a 20% donation of the retail price. This way, Toys for Tots can buy additional needed products for the kids that need them most.

ABOUT LEARNING IS AN ART

Learning is an Art, is an innovative toy seller that uses all of its profits to support highly-rated charitable causes. It has emerged as a masterpiece on the canvas of competitors in today’s children’s consumer market. The company sells unique toys and imaginative games that enable kids and teens to learn through creative, hands-on play primarily through its experienced team of national direct sales consultants. These knowledgeable product experts work closely with Learning is an Art customers on their purchasing decisions giving shoppers freedom to avoid crowded malls and inattentive sales clerks.

The goal is to make learning fun and to encourage families to play together. Learning is an Art believes that when kids have fun learning with their families, the benefits cross over into many areas that encourage family bonding, promote concept retention and teach valuable academic skills. Many of the educational products the company sells have won numerous prestigious national awards, which gives evidence to the quality of the products the company seeks out. (See attached table on awards and products.)

Learning is an Art founders and educators John and Jennifer Fong used their expertise to develop a business model to not only market quality educational toys, but also raise funds to donate to highly-rated charities. Joined by a team of education and design experts who are also dedicated to the cause, 100% of the profits earned by Learning is an Art, after taxes and expenses, are given to non-profit organizations.

These charities represent organizations that support people in need both domestically and abroad including: America’s Second Harvest, The Children’s Defense Fund, Physicians for Peace and the Hunger Project, among many other internationally renowned humanitarian groups. The company researches its charity partners carefully to ensure they pass on a high percentage of funds to the recipients and have low administrative overhead costs.

ABOUT TOYS FOR TOTS

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. The objectives are to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

Based on its innovative approach to selling toys, Learning is an Art’s innovative approach to helping kids should come as no surprise to anyone. And that’s as it should be. The surprises should stay where they belong: In neatly wrapped toys beneath the Christmas trees of happy children.

For more information about Learning is an Art’s contest visit www.learningisanart.com"

Win a digital camera!

If I don't win it first! How I long for a small, sleek digital camera like this one. Especially after dropping my bulky one and wiping out the hard drive of my vacation photos. Oy vey!

From 5 Minutes for Mom:

"She’s the Casio Pink EX-Z75 digital camera specially bundled with a camera case with pink stitching and a pink ribbon-clad lanyard to show support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

Yes, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Casio is putting on the pink.
They’ve taken their pink EX-Z75, a 7.2 megapixel digital camera which is part of Casio’s highly-regarded zoom line of EXILIM cameras, and are offering it with this special camera case and pink-ribbon lanyard for the month of October.

The special-edition pink EX-Z75 will be available beginning October 2007 and can be purchased at Sears, La Curacao, Fred Meyer, BJ’s, Nexcom, AAFES, Staples, and Future Shop. The bundle package will have an MSRP of $179.99, and will proudly sponsor the National Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, please visit www.casiousa.com.

We’re so excited to offer one of you lucky readers your own special-edition pink camera.
Casio has generously offered to give one of these sleek pink beauties to one of you. If you help to spread the word about this campaign to promote breast cancer awareness on your blog, then add a comment to this post, we’ll enter you in the draw for a free special-edition pink EX-Z75 Casio digital camera.

(If you’re not a blogger, you can still enter… just spread the word amongst your friends.)
We have to limit to US shipping addresses, so Canadians you can enter if you live close enough to the border to pick it up in the US.

We’ll draw the winner on Friday, October 26th.

And remember to visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Breast Cancer Site for more information about how you can help promote awareness"

Another Chance at a Pink Dyson

Remember the Dyson Give-a-way over at mod*mom's? The ab-fab ladies at 5 Minutes for Mom are giving away one of them as well.

From their post: "We know every woman dreams of a Dyson — the effortless steering, the high-power suction, the clean air filter, the lightweight design. The vacuum cleaner that doesn’t lose suction; 250 air watts; Root 8 Cyclone technology deep cleans; lifetime HEPA filter included. Certified asthma friendly according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Bagless design with easy-empty dust compartment; 46Hx13Wx14L” Now is your chance to indulge yourself and at the same time support breast cancer research."

Drawing is Monday, October 1st. Go on over and find out how you can win.

Protect-a-Bed Give-a-way

Adventures in Babywearing is at it again - giving away a FABULOUS prize - one that I'd LOVE to win since my kids suffer from allergies and asthma. From her post:

"As awareness of sleep environment hygiene grows, parents are becoming increasingly convinced of the need to protect their mattresses and pillows and their children's cribs and beds against dust mites- a major cause of asthma, allergies, and eczema.

Protect-A-Bed is a mattress cover of which has proven to be the most effective bedding protector ever produced. It creates a comfortable and healthy sleeping environment for the entire family. They offer a premium line of protection products for pillows and mattresses, including cribs proven to deliver the following benefits: Made of 100% natural terry cotton surface, it stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, providing a soft, quiet and comfortable sleep. It contains a Proprietary Miracle Membrane®, a new age breathable barrier fabric, which is waterproof and protects your mattress from all liquids, even sweat and urine.
Hypoallergenic, to permit a healthy and anti-allergy sleep zone. Prevents dust mites and bacteria from breeding in a mattress, which can cause asthma, eczema and rhinitis.
Can be machine-washed and tumble-dried over 200 times without losing its effectiveness.
Trusted product that is recognized as a Class 1 Medical Device by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Protect-A-Bed sheet and pillow protectors are available at mattress retailers worldwide and their mattress protection solutions suit a wide range of needs and budgets! You can visit www.protectabed.com for more details or to find out where you can purchase Protect-A-Bed bedding protectors in your area."

Head on over to her place to see how YOU can enter to win.

Mom's Turn..

What Is Moms Turn All About?

From the creator of Mom's Turn:

"For most of us, we began our blogging experience with one, two or both of the following goals in mind:

1. As an outlet to vent our frustrations of motherhood, womanhood, and adulthood.

2. To chronicle the everyday life, as well as the milestones and special memories, of our children as so we never forget.

As our blogs grow in popularity, not only strangers (now our "blogger" buddies), but our family and close friends have begun reading and commenting. It is no longer possible to really vent about the things we want and need to in order to maintain some balance of sanity. We don't want to offend a friend, insult a teacher, embarrass our children or start a family feud ... so we don't write about some of the things we are feeling. We just sit and wonder why we don't feel we have the freedom to write and say what we want on our own blog.

Well, guess what? It's our turn. MOM'S TURN ... to let it all out. I created "Moms Turn" as a place where you could post anonymously ... getting whatever it is off your chest that you need to use writing as an outlet for. Most of the time writing and getting it out, is exactly the "therapy" we need. Do you have something on your mind that you just want to get off your chest? Go ahead. Try it! It's as easy as 1-2-3!

This is how:
Just email what you'd like posted to: Moms Turn
I will publish the post on Moms-Turn.net on a first come first serve basis, with up to 5 posts per day. Your name/email address will NOT be revealed.

You will feel so much better. As a Mom's Turn Reader ... I encourage you to comment, support, and share your knowledge when you read a post that touches you or that you can relate to. Thanks!! I hope you enjoy Mom's Turn as well as finding it a beneficial resource for your sanity."

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Go here to learn how you can win, just for spreading the word about this fabulous new site!

Two New Give-a-ways

From 5 Minutes for Mom, The Rocketfish Wireless Multimedia Bluetooth Keyboard and Laser Mouse Give-A-Way: "This sleek, slim-design wireless keyboard and mouse combination lets you leave behind the wires while you surf the web without compromising performance.
It even acts as a Bluetooth hub so that you can transfer files to other Bluetooth devices (such as your digital photo printer)."

Go to their site to be entered in the drawing.

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Also, check out this great give-a-way from Mums The Word: "They've got everything...style, color, creativity-they're Zutano, and they have some of the cutest, most unique clothes on the market today! We've shown you the terrific items they sent Hailey and Noel here and here. Such spiffy little duds for summer! Want your kids to look this cool? Well, it could happen! Zutano wants to give YOU a $150 e-certificate so your child can be the most happenin' kid in school-or daycare, since they've got sizes from newborn to 6T!"

2008 Learning Calendar

For this review, I'm back once again at Fat Brain Toys. You may recall just how much I love Fat Brain Toys. Ingenious products, fun, educational and safe. May I introduce the 2007-2008 Learning Calendar:


This 17-month calendar starts on August 1, 2007 (intended to correspond with the school year) and runs through December 31, 2008. On each day of the calendar, you will learning something new. From First Ladies, to Landmarks, to Famous Artists, Holidays Around the World, and History NOW!, each day features an educational event on the day it actually happened! Each day has a graphic as well (drawing or picture) that help bring life to the event, and there are several activity ideas for you to do with your family listed in the front of the calendar. Quite simply, I love this calendar. The history buff in me can't wait to devour the lessons. The mom in me can't wait to teach them to my children.

And I'm not the only one. The Learning Calendar received the Winner of the 2007 Teachers Choice Award by Learning Magazine for the Family, the Creative Child Seal of Excellence 2007, the 2007 National Parenting Association Seal of Approval and the 2007 iParenting Media Excellent Products Award.

Suggested Retail for The Learning Calendar is $14.99 and it is available for purchase here.

**WIN IT** I have a brand new copy of the calendar graciously provided by Fat Brain Toys for a lucky winner. Leave a comment on this site, telling me which other Fat Brain Toy (previously reviewed on this site) was named a "Father's Day Favorite" by Mr. Dad. Winner picked by random. Contest closes at midnight EST on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. Be sure to leave your email address in your comment.

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*NOTE: I was not paid for this review but received a sample product at no cost to me to check out and provide my opinion.*

Look at who they have their HANES on now

From the ladies at Pinks and Blues, a Hanes Kids Back To School Giveaway!

What they have to say about Hanes childrens' clothes: "Hanes is at the head of the class for back to school fashion and comfort, quality and versatility. And it's just a click away at Hanes.com/kids. Hanes is getting rave reviews for their ultra-soft, super-comfortable, both new and classic pieces for boys and girls. At prices lucky mamas love."

Go on over and see what you need to do to be entered in this fabulous contest!

Back to School In Shoe Style- A Giveaway!

Courtesy of ADVENTURES IN BABYWEARING, another cool giveaway! You could win a $50 gift certificate to Vincent Shoes. Awesome! Go here for details and be sure to visit Vincent to plan on how you are going to spend that $50. If I don't win it myself, of course! LOL

Another Great Contest from 5 Minutes for Mom

Want to win one of these??

Head on over to 5 minutes for Mom to read all about this wonderful printer and how YOU can win it (if I don't myself, of course, teehehe).

Of course, if you don't win it, you can buy your own HP Photosmart A626 Compact Photo Printer at Best Buy or HPShopping.com.

Mod*Mom DYSON give-a-way: Support Breast Cancer Research

The ab-fab mod*mom has a new giveaway for a pink Dyson vacuum!



From Mod*Mom's website: "Dyson is proud to support breast cancer research with the introduction of the DCO7 Pink. The limited edition vacuum, which uses Dyson’s patented cyclone technology + does not lose suction, is available exclusively at Target. Dyson + Target will donate $40 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every DCO7 Pink sold. Dyson understands how critical research is to the advancement of breast cancer treatment + prevention + is dedicated to supporting efforts to develop a cure in our lifetime."as a breast cancer survivor, i'm so excited dyson is offering this giveaway prize + raising awareness that 1 in 8 women in the us will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime according to the american cancer society."



Head on over to Mod*Mom and find out how you can enter to win!

Oompa Toys debuts the Sevi Italian Toy Line

Milanie Cleere, Chief Executive Officer Oompa Enterprises, Inc., feels "toys should not only be natural and well-made, but created in humane and safe working conditions by adults and with absolutely no child-labor." With that in mind, she founded Oompa Toys in 2004 and her product line contains a mix of wooden toys, baby toys, soft dolls, play food, ball tracks, play mats and other beautiful, high quality wooden toys from over 40 international makers of toys. Now Oompa has added Italian Toy Designer Sevi to their line. And I was pleased to review two of the Sevi toys for them.

First up was this charming Whistle. Beautifully hand painted, it is finished with 100% non-toxic varnish. While blowing into the whistle, your child can pull the knob in and out for even more music fun.

Watch as my almost 3 year old figures it out...

Not Quite Yet....

Hey wait, I hear some music....

I'm Doing It!

That is SO MUCH FUN! I can whistle!

The other toy was this Play Puzzle Farm. The pieces are hand-made of solid wood and hand-painted with non-toxic, lead free, food grade paints and finishes. I noted on the box that it was made in China and that worried me, but the Oompa website assures that it is done so under Sevi's direct supervision.



From website: "Peek inside to discover a colorful world filled with animals, clothing and a little girl. Each wooden piece is hand made and hand painted. We love the panoply of design details, ultra smooth wooden surfaces, and kid-friendly designs. This heirloom quality toy has a total of 11 pieces that fit (like a puzzle!) inside the coordinating wooden box. The Play Puzzle Farm Set does double duty as a puzzle and very portable play set for kids who enjoy pretend play but don't want to lug a big dollhouse to a restaurant or grandma's house. "

Oompa Toys:

NO BATTERIES. NO BLINKING LIGHTS. NO CARTOON-THEMED TOYS. PERIOD.

**WIN IT! Win the Play Puzzle Farm shown above, a $39.99 value!

Leave a comment with your email and tell me, What is your favorite Sevi toy not mentioned above? Contest open through midnight, EST, Thursday, August 30, 2007. While not required, mention this on your blog with a link back here and you will have two chances to win the puzzle**

NOTE: I was not paid for this review but was given these products at no cost to me to give my opinion on.

Another Great Pinks & Blues Giveaway

From the wonderful ladies at Pinks & Blues, a end of summer giveaway, especially for little girls. Little Girly-Girl Giveaway - a Total Retail Value of $162! Now, this would be perfect for my Eeyore, about to turn 3 on September the 4th!

Back to School

Trust the "cool" ladies at Cool Mom Picks to "track down some great picks for the youngest students in your life and even a few things to help you you mamas when you need it most. "

And if you help them spread the word about our Back to School Guide by posting the special edition B2S button on your blog or website, you will be entered to win a $200 gift bag from CMP fave Silly Wagon.

Just click here for button codes. Then email them at info@coolmompicks.com with your url. One lucky winner will be picked at random.

Museum Tour

Museum Tour, founded by Marilynne Eichinger (a former educator and president of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry), is a unique catalog of "quality, entertaining, educational products to extend the museum experience into the home..." The "tour" includes 22 museums around the country who select arts and science toys "for their ability to involve children in thought-provoking and creative problem-solving." You can request your own catalog here or call 1-800-360-9116.

One product you will find on the tour is the Faucet Light.



Running cold water activates this LED Faucet Light, turning the water a bright blue. Run hot water and it turns red. Turn off the water and out goes the light. I installed it myself in just a few minutes and showed the kids.

They learned almost immediately that if the light is red, keep your hands out!

And if the light is blue, they are fine to wash their hands.

The set includes 3 button cell batteries (how often are batteries included anymore!), wire screen, and 2 universal adapters. And it is very cool - even my husband and I have fun playing with using this one. And what could be more fun than washing your hands in the dark! Trust me, it will get your kids washing their hands more often.

To win your own Faucet Light, post about this contest on your site, and leave a comment here with a link to your specific post. Be sure to include your email address so I have a way of contacting the winner (to be chosen at random by random.org). Contest is open until midnight (EST) Saturday August 25, 2007. I will post the winner on Sunday, August 26, 2007.

*Congratulations Michele_3! You win the give-a-way!

$250 Gymboree Gift Card

From Love Shak, Baby:

"The bloggers here at Loveshakbaby know how crazy it is for families to keep up with the demands of growing children so we have partnered with Gymboree to bring you a fabulous way to get your kids ready in time for back to school.

Gymboree is offering two of our readers each a $250 Gift Card to be used at the Gymboree store or Gymboree online. Our contest will run from July 27th through August 17th and just like our other giveaways we are going to randomly choose two winners from the comment section of this post!

From now until midnight, August 17th, here's what you will need to do in order to be entered to win:

*Leave a comment on this post telling us what your child's favorite thing is about going back to school. There will be other posts that refer to the Back To School Giveaway With Gymboree but only comments left on this post will count as an entry. Please enter only once.

*Link back to this post using the "Back To School Giveaway With Gymboree" banner in a post on your blog or website.

*If you do not have a blog, leave your e-mail address and tell your friends. Your e-mail address will automatically register you for the Gymboree Newsletter.

*All comments must be entered by midnight, August 17th.

The two winners names will be posted on the morning of August 18th. They will be notified by e-mail and in a "winner's post"."

NOT made in China

I stumbled across this site today and was intrigued. A site about products NOT made in China? Perfect for today, as we watch all the China-made Hasbro and Mattel toys being recalled. And even better? The site is having a contest for a $50 gift card for American Apparel. So check out her site if you are so inclined, and enter the contest.

Mom 4 Life contest

From Adventures in Babywearing:


"Mom 4 Life knows Moms- it is Mom-owned and all products are 100% Mom-made or invented! Heather, owner of Mom 4 Life, is proud that every product you'll find on her site has a mom behind it's conception. And today right here you can enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Mom 4 Life! Just sign the Mr. Linky below and be sure to link to this contest post as well as Mom4Life.com for a chance to win before this Friday August 17, 11 PM (CST) when a winner will be picked at random. If you don't have a blog, then please be sure to sign up for the Mom 4 Life newsletter & then sign the Mr. Linky. (Just put your name in- you don't have to put in the URL.) Be sure to leave a comment letting us know you signed up!"

So many things to choose from on Mom4Life! What would you spend your $25 on?

SuperMomz Contest

New contest over at Mums The Word! Win a dinnerware set like these:

Here are the details on the contest. And don't forget to check out why Choosy Moms Choose SuperMomz! I'm going to sign up for their newsletter myself.

Winners all around

I received an email last night:

"Congrats!

Hi there - You and Katie are our second place winners for the Photo Scavenger Hunt (BlogHer 2007) -- each winning a $150 GC from Lucina. Congrats! And enjoy. We appreciate your awesome efforts :) I'm sure Shauna will email you to get your information.
Best, Kristen Chase
--
Kristen Chase
Co-Founder/Editor
Cool Mom Picks
We find it, you flaunt it"

Yeah! Katie and I won 2nd place in the Great Hunt ! Now we each get to spend $150 at Lucina. Thanks so much to Liz and Kristen and all the fabulous ladies at Cool Mom Picks for sponsoring this contest. Katie and I had a lot of fun doing it.

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I need to let you all know about your own chance to win, on another website. 5 Minutes for Mom is Giving One of You a 37″ Flat-Panel LCD HDTV!!! This incredible prize is valued at $799.99 and is courtesy of Best Buy. How can you win it? Follow the link to the contest and see the details.