Surviving a Roadtrip with a Toddler

Hey there friends!

You all know that we went on a family vacation a few weeks ago. With Labor Day coming up (at least here in the states) I wanted to share some tips that got us through the trip with a little one. This is a big travel weekend for a lot of people, and I know I was looking for any tips I could  get!

Dream House: A Perfect Patio with World Market!

Hi friends!

We're a big backyard family. My parent's house has a huge backyard with a great deck. We eat dinner out there as often as we can. I think a house is incomplete without an outdoor space. So I did some "window shopping" at World Market. Love that place! They always have interesting home decor, and I was not disappointed as I looked for patio goodies! 

Here's what I found:

1. Outdoor Deck Tiles: We had a "patio" at our old house. Well, we had a bunch of cement paving squares in the back corner of our yard. These would be SO much cuter!
2. Pagoda Blue Adirondack Chair: I love me a good adirondack chair. Make it my favorite color? Sold.
3. Rio Carnival Stripe Umbrella: Who doesn't love a pretty umbrella? Especially when it matches your new adirondack chair in your favorite color!
4. Catalina Pool Lounger w/ Tray: Every good back yard space needs a lounge chair for reading. I love that this one has a little tray for your favorite beverage! There are cushions in all sorts of pretty colors.
5. Wood Outdoor Cooler: To keep those favorite beverages cold. duh.

World Market also has an amazing (seriously!) sweepstakes going on right now. Check it out!

Look at those prizes!


**Grand Prize package includes:

- A trip for two to to Santa Fe, New Mexico including hotel and airfare
- Hands on Southwestern Cooking class with Master Chef
- Personally signed glossy cookbook
- Multi-course dinner at the acclaimed Geronimo
- Southwestern Foodie Tour with a cultural kick
- A $1,000 World Market gift card

** There will also be 3 runner up prize winners that will each receive a $500 World Market gift card!

**The Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes runs from August 18, 2012 until September 21, 2012.

**If you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. This is part of the registration process when entering. Users can also enter daily for more chances to win.

You can enter the sweepstakes on World Market's Facebook page.
You can also find World Market here: Twitter . Google+ . Pinterest

I'm off to get my entry in!

Be blessed!

Heather

This has been a sponsored post for Pollinate Media Group. All opinions are entirely my own.

Our Week in Pictures

Hi friends!

We've had a good week around here! A good mix of work and play, which is always good.

We went to some of our favorite places to play.

I'm getting ready for the beginning of the school year transition at church. We're launching a new classroom, and a new training program! Fun!

I've been wanting to read this book for a while. I finally grabbed it from the library and it's fantastic!

We made homemade corndogs! Good idea, Mom. Maybe once we get the recipe perfected it will make an appearance here.

Hooray for pinterest projects! We did some ziploc bag color mixing, which then became ziploc bag letter writing. Good stuff!

Be blessed!

Heather

Have fun with LeapFrog GIVEAWAY!

Hi friends!

Who here loves LeapFrog? We're big fans around here. Abbey has had LeapFrog products ranging from toys to movies, and has loved every one of them. She loves that she's having fun, and I love that she's learning.

We recently got the chance to play with and review the new LeapsterGS.

Man, oh man do we love this thing! At first I was a little worried because the LeapsterGS is listed as being for kids ages 4-9, and with Abbey just turning 3 I wasn't sure if there was going to be anything at her level. Don't get me wrong, I want her to be challenged, but I want her to enjoy playing with this thing as well. My worries were completely unfounded! Are there a few games that are over her head? Yes. We play them together, and she is already picking up on new skills and becoming more independent (yay!). However, there are plenty of apps that are completely her speed.

There is a great coloring app, which is usually Abbey's go-to. She also loves the games that involve the camera. Oh yeah, did I mention that? This baby has a camera, and can take pictures and video! It's not just extra add-on either. There are apps that use the camera as part of the game play. It also has motion-based play capabilities (think smart phones and tablets) that involve actions like tilting and shaking as part of the games.

The LeapsterGS has a touch screen and can be used with just your fingers, but it also comes with an (attached!) stylus. Abbey prefers the stylus...not sure why. I am so impressed by the range of games and apps there are for the LeapsterGS. There are reading games, math and science games, everything! And the best part? Kids don't realize they're learning.

The one downfall I can see with the LeapsterGS is the price of the cartridge games. $24.99 for a game is a bit rich for my blood, BUT there is an online app store full of games, videos and e-books starting at $5. Total redemption.

I can see Abbey playing with this toy for years to come. Things like that don't come across all that often, so I get excited when they do.

Want to hear the best part??

I get to give one away!! WOOHOO!! The fabulous people at LeapFrog are giving me the opportunity to give you a super fun device.

That's right, enter below to win your very own LeapsterGS and game cartridge.
The giveaway runs through Sunday, and I will pick a winner on Monday. It's only open to residents of the U.S. Sorry international friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Be blessed!

Heather