Kohl’s Cares Dr. Seuss Collection

February 25, 2013 By 6 Comments

We are excited to work with the Kohl’s Cares program on the latest book and plush collection featuring Dr. Seuss books and characters!

Did you know?

The Kohl’s Cares program which donates 100% of the net profit to children’s health and education initiatives nationwide!

This collection has four books and their plush characters including …

  • Dr. Seusss’ A B C’s
  • Horton Hears a Who!
  • The Cat in the Hat
  • Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book

The Kohl’s Cares books and plush animals make great gift ideas for kids. At times it can be hard to find the perfect gift for a child that we don’t know real well … especially a gift that fits in our budget! The great news about the Kohl’s Cares program is that the books and plush characters are only $5 each! Knowing that a donation is being made as part of each purchase is a great added benefit to support the Kohl’s Cares program. The Kohl’s Cares collections do change so if you are in love with one of these books and plush characters, be sure to get them before they change to the next collection!

Grace found these books when they came. She loves to read through them on her own and with her brother and sister. I have to admit that I love to listen her say the rhyming Dr. Seuss words as reads aloud because it just makes me smile!

I am going to have to look for the Horton Hears a Who book and plush character during my next trip to Kohl’s. Matthew loves that movie and I am sure he would love to have the book and plush to enjoy as he gets closer to the age of being able to read.

I admit that The Cat in the Hat is my favorite from this collection as I remember reading it over and over and over again as a child. Which Dr. Seuss book from the Kohl’s Cares Dr. Seuss Collection is your favorite? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Holiday Dinosaur Train Book and DVD

December 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We are excited to share a review of the holiday Dinosaur Train book and DVD!

 Details …

Dinosaur Train Ride the Holiday Train!  Lift-The-Flap Board Book, from Reader’s Digest Children’s Publishing, Ages: 2 to 5, SRP: $9.99

Buddy and his friends are super excited. Their favorite holiday is coming—the Winter Solstice! Kids travel on the holiday train to the North Pole where the Pteranodon family has the chance to build snow dinosaurs, play a prehistoric game of ice hockey, and meet some new friends.  Secondary learning activities which reinforce learning concepts are included, and over 45 flaps hide fun surprises that kids will want to find again and again!

Dinosaur Train: Dinosaurs A to Z – Featuring Bonus Holiday Episode>, Ages: 3 and up, SRP: $12.99 U.S.; $13.99 Canada, Rating: U.S. – Not Rated; Canada – G, Runtime: Approximately 110 minutes

Travel on the Dinosaur Train with Buddy, Mom, and Tiny to gather all the dinosaurs in the “Dinosaurs A to Z’” song for a picnic at Troodon Town! Join the Pteranodon family as they reunite with some dinosaurs they’ve met before, and are introduced to new species, and learn about the classification of all 26 dinosaurs on the train.

Bonus Holiday Episode: Solstice Time - While visiting the North Pole, the Conductor suggests that the family stop off at Aurora Borealis Station on an enormous frozen lake to see the Aurora Borealis, where the Northern Troodons celebrate a “Festival of Lights.” While the kids wait for night to fall and view the Aurora Borealis, they work up an ice-skating show to entertain Mom and Dad. Everyone joins in to sing “Solstice Time is Here” and skate under the lights!

Our Thoughts …

Matthew is loving the new dinosaur book and DVD as you can tell from this picture …

Matthew is still loving dinosaurs so there is HUGE excitement when dinosaur items appear at our house! He loves lifting the flaps of the books as he reads. As for the DVD, Matthew just sang the ABC song for the first time to us a few weeks ago … all.by.himself!! So he loves that the DVD combines his new knowledge of the ABCs and his massive love for dinosaurs! It just doesn’t get better than that folks!

If you are looking for last minute gift ideas for a dinosaurs loving kid, maybe you can track one of these gifts down!

Do you have Dinosaur Train fans at your house? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Find Dinosaur Train on Facebook and PBS Kids on Twitter!

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A is for Ketchup

November 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Details …

“A is for Ketchup” is a silly, picture book that takes advantage of the way children learn and optimizes their ability to quickly memorize the letters and sounds of the alphabet. Children are first given a humorous, incorrect example of each letter and then presented with a properly matching letter and object combination.

Our Thoughts …

Grace is our 1st grader that LOVES to read. When she saw this book, she giggled and laughed then exclaimed “A is NOT for ketchup!” This is one of Grace’s favorite books right now. She loves to read this book to Sophie (almost 5) and Matthew (3). I love to hear her read this book to them because it goes through all of the letters of the alphabet in a fun, silly way that keeps the younger kids attention. Plus not only is Grace practicing her reading but the other kids are having another lesson in their ABC’s. The last time that Brian volunteered in Grace’s class, she begged to take this book with her to school. Brian had the opportunity to read the book to her class that day in school which she couldn’t stop talking about all night.

Grace would definitely recommend this book for early readers! From the parent point of view, if you are working on ABC’s or just listening to stories at your house, this would be a great, unique book to add to your home library!

You can find this book,  by Xavier Finkley who self-published using CreateSpace and Kindle Direct Publishing (Amazon’s independent publishing services), on Amazon.  Right now it is included in the 4-for-3 promotion which would make it perfect for holiday gift giving!!

 

Do you know someone that would love to get this book? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Rudy: My Story By Rudy Ruettiger, with Mark Dagostino

October 25, 2012 By 1 Comment

My review of Rudy: My Story By Rudy Ruettiger, with Mark Dagostino …

Details …

Rudy became the inspiration for millions when a Hollywood film depicting his journey as a Notre Dame football player became one of the most influential sports movies ever made. In Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger’s only autobiography, go behind the scenes to experience the heartache, triumph, and glory through Rudy’s own eyes, and learn details of the ten years it took to get the movie made.

For the first time, the real Rudy shares his story of floundering through school with undiagnosed dyslexia and finding himself mixed up with a rough and rowdy crowd. “Football was my salvation in high school,” Rudy believes, and while he dreamed of playing for Notre Dame, he never believed he was smart enough to make it to the elite group of higher education.

A poignant and high-energy storyteller, Rudy details failures and pitfalls along the way. He explains the persistence and determination it took to get accepted to Notre Dame, to suit up and play for twenty-seven glorious seconds, and to see the dream of his movie become a reality. Rudy is truly a real-life testament to the old adage that it is not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up again. He will motivate you to discover your own dreams and to them with unrelenting faith that anything is possible.

Our Thoughts …

I loved the movie!  It came out while I was in high school and I make it a point to watch it every so often.  Very few movies get me teary-eyed, but this one always catches me twice.  Once when he finally receives his acceptance letter and again in the final scenes when the other players all support him dressing and playing in the final game of the season.

This book fills in some of the gaps from the movie, but also really redefines some of the moments.  I just never realized that some of the characters were actually representations of multiple people in Rudy’s life or that his family was just so large.  I also never realized just how large a role faith played in Rudy’s struggles throughout his life.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I will say this:  If you are a fan of the movie and of the story portrayed in the movie, this book will move you and is definitely worth a read.

 

You can find this book on Amazon for a great price! It could make it great Christmas present for someone in your life!

Did you love the movie or have you read this book? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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What About Heaven? Children’s Book

October 22, 2012 By 2 Comments

 

About …

What about Heaven? is the next book in the best-selling Little Blessings line, using captivating art from Care Bears artist Elena Kucharik, along with wonderful text from Kathleen Bostrom.  Answer your child’s important questions about heaven with this theologically-sound book for kids. With a rhythmic, rhyming text and colorful illustrations, this book answers your child’s questions in an age-appropriate manner with scriptures to reference.Preschool children and adults alike can explore the mysteries of heaven.

Our Thoughts …

We received this book a few weeks ago and I was excited to read it to discover a child level story about heaven. The girls ask about heaven but I always feel like my answers are lacking. The sing-song rhythm of this book make it a nice read that is full of details and so much information for them to think about. I read this book again last night to Sophie and kept asking me what certain word were, one of them being heaven. So each time that word came up, she would point it out. I love the she is using a book like this as a tool to help with her reading skills.

As soon as Sophie and I were done with this book, Grace snatched it up to read. She was told she needed to get ready for bed before reading though. So what does my little reader do? She starts the book downstairs and then continues reading it on her way up the stairs. We gave her permission to finish it in it bed last night and she was so thrilled to read the book on her own.

It is wonderful to think of heaven as our children do and this book was a great reminder to do that.

We reviewed the newly released soft copy version of this book. Amazon has the hard copy version for sale but I did find the soft copy for a bargain price at Christianbook.com so check out both of those and add this book to your home library collection too!

How do you talk to your children about heaven? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Plate to Pixel: Digital Food Photography & Styling

October 20, 2012 By 3 Comments

 

Details …

Tips and techniques for making food look good—before it tastes good!

Food photography is on the rise, with the millions of food bloggers around the word as well as foodies who document their meals or small business owners who are interested in cutting costs by styling and photographing their own menu items, and this book should serve as your first course in food photography. Discover how the food stylist exercises unique techniques to make the food look attractive in the finished product. You’ll get a taste of the visual know-how that is required to translate the perceptions of taste, aroma, and appeal into a stunning, lavish finished photograph.

  • Takes you through the art and techniques of appetizing food photography for everyone from foodies to food bloggers to small business owners looking to photograph their food themselves
  • Whets your appetite with delicious advice on food styling, lighting, arrangement, and more
  • Author is a successful food blogger who has become a well-known resource for fellow bloggers who are struggling with capturing appetizing images of their creations

So, have the cheese say, “Cheese!” with this invaluable resource on appetizing food photography.

Our Thoughts …

This book is so full of information that a review here will not really do it justice. I have to say that if take pictures of food … or really anything that is stationary and staged, this book is not only a resource but a great investment to work towards perfecting your art!

My favorite part of the book is the desserts section. I cook more desserts than Brian so that is why I love this section so much. A dessert can being boring or bland so I have loved reading these tips to try to not just get lucky with pictures like I did with my Vegan Chocolate Cupcake picture. I want to be consistent in the dessert pictures I take!

I also loved, loved, loved the tips about props. You feel like you need to get something new a shiny when taking pictures but the big secret is that you can get away with a yard sale find to make a wonderful food picture! I have started to buy Brian plates and bowls when I see them. Two of my favorite plates I found since reading these tips are from the dollar store!

We have placed this book near the reading chair in our bedroom so that we can look at it when we get a chance. I feel like every time I read through the book, I get new ideas on how to capture and share the wonderful creations that come out of humble little kitchen!

This book is available on Amazon for a great price but you can find it at many bookstores and libraries.

Have you tried taking pictures of food? Do you have any favorite tips? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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My1story – I Love Cake!

October 9, 2012 By 8 Comments

I Love Cake and Jack and the Jack and the Magic Beans are the first two books of the My1story series. We had the opportunity to review I Love Cake! book and the Lil’ Riding Hood Plush too! You can find My1stStory at Amazon!

 

Details …

I Love Cake!

Through the woods goes Lil’ Riding Hood, on her way to Grandma’s house. And what’s that scent that awakens sleeping Wolfie? Why it’s a freshly baked pie! So off he goes to Grandma’s house where Wolfie will learn that sharing is best. In this beautifully drawn storybook, my1story reintroduces the magic of this timeless fairy tale classic with an all new contemporary theme and story line. Look to my1story for its storybook collection of all-time favorite fairy tale characters.

Lil’ Riding Hood Plush

Lil’ Riding Hood plush is a super soft cuddly plush toy your child will love. What better way to enjoy reading the book adventures of Lil’ Riding Hood then with your very own plush toy!

 

Sophie’s Thoughts …

Sophie claimed this book and plush toy as soon as it arrived. She loves her new “doll” and will sit and read the book to her. Every few days, she will pull out the book and ask for someone to read it to her. Grace loves reading to Sophie so this has been a nice way for them to continue to bond as they get older! I love the non-scary version of the story that has a happy ending!

Both the I Love Cake! and the jack and the Magic Beans with their plush toys would make great holiday gifts!

We are excited to offer a giveaway to our readers! You can pick the I Love Cake! book, the My1story – Jack and the Magic Beans (Jack’s Beanstalks)
book, Lil’ Riding Hood Plush or the Beanie Plush!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Plus check out myfirstory.com to find games, fun stuff and characters!

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Friday Favorite: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

September 7, 2012 By 4 Comments

Friday Favorites is another almost weekly feature here at Simply Budgeted. The whole point of this feature is to share some of our favorite finds. Anything is game. Food. Cleaning supplies. Kid stuff. Garden favorites. Recipes. Anything that I really like and want to randomly post about.

Reminder/Disclaimer/Whatever: Everything in Friday Favorites is something that we use and bought on our own.

Details …

In each playful spread of this read-aloud bedtime book, parents are ready to put their kids to bed — but these youngsters just happen to be dinosaurs! And though they may stomp and slam their tails a bit, in the end they act a lot like people: they give a big kiss, turn out the light, and whisper “good night.”

Our Thoughts …

Matthew is in a huge dinosaur stage right now. He has rediscovered this book and loves it at bed time. If he is luck, Brian and I both read it to him once at bedtime! He will say “nooooooo” when the questions are asked in the book which makes me smile at his response to understanding the book. The book ends “Good night. Good night, little dinosaur.” If I say the first “good night” he will finish that last pages and it just warms my heart to hear him say that.

This book is a good buy over on Amazon right now so check it out!

We are excite to have this boy bedtime story in our children’s book collection. I now what to add the other books in this series to our collection. Do you have favorite bedtime stories at your house? Leave us a comment and let us know.

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The MoneySmart Family System

August 24, 2012 By 2 Comments

 

Details …

Is it possible to raise financially responsible kids of any age in a society filled with consumerism and entitlement?

New York Times best-selling authors Steve and Annette Economides raised their five kids while spending 77 percent less than the USDA predicted. And the money they did spend was also used to train their children to become financially independent. The MoneySmart Family System will show you how to teach your children to manage money and have a good attitude while they’re learning to earn, budget, and spend wisely.

Learn how to:

  • Get the kids out the door for school with less stress.
  • End the battle over clothing—forever
  • Teach your children to be grateful and generous.
  • Inspire your kids to help with chores as a member of a winning team.
  • Prepare your kids for their first paying job.
  • Help your kids pay for their own auto insurance, and even pay cash for their own cars.
  • Employ strategies for debt-free college educations.
  • Truly help your adult children when they want to move back home.
  • Be prepared to deal with your adult children when they ask for bailouts.

With clear steps for children of every age, The MoneySmart Family System proves that it’s never too early, too late, or too hard to start learning financial responsibility.

 

My Thoughts …

We have been looking for a chore system for our children. We have tried check marks and stickers but it hasn’t been as successful as we had hoped. I had no idea what to expect from The MoneySmart Family but I was thrilled to see charts that I can copy (or recreate) with ideas on how to reward the children for contributing to the family while learning about money. Two solutions in one system … perfect for our family! The best news in reading the book is that it is scaled by ages which has been another struggle for us seeing that Grace is now 6 and Matthew is only 3! We know we can’t expect the same from them but I want Matthew to know what is expected of him even when he is only 3!

We have started to teach the children about money so this system will let us have a method to teach the kids about money. I am excited to start this system with our kids next month (so I can get all of our ducks in a row and be ready!) Plus they will all be in their school programs by then. I hope to report back with an update at some point!

This book is available on Amazon in print and in a Kindle edition!

 

Do you think this money management approach would work for your family? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Getting the most out of a trip to the zoo

July 21, 2012 By 5 Comments

We are excited to bring you a guest post by Jo Linsdell, author of Out and About at the Zoo!

 

Children love animals and where better to learn about them than at the zoo. A family day out at the zoo is both fun and educational. Not to mention a way of creating some fantastic memories for you and your children to share.

Planning ahead offers several benefits:
• You can organize your day according to the zoo’s schedule. By checking out the zoo’s website in advance to can look up things like animal
feeding times and zoo-keeper talks.
• Some zoo’s offer money off coupons on the admission price or special family deals for pre-ordered tickets from their website.
• You can print off a copy of the zoo map and plan your route. Which animals are must-sees? Which do your children want to see most? You
can number the areas of the map in the order you plan to visit. It’s also a great way of teaching the children map reading skills. They can be in
charge of the map and keep track of where you are.

Build the excitement before the trip:
• Talk to your children about the animals you’re going to see. You can research some fun facts about them or for younger children, teach them
animal sounds.
• Do some research about the zoo itself. When was the zoo built? How many animals does it home?

During your visit:
• Make sure you take lots of photo’s. They’ll be a great souvenir of your day out together and can also be used for crafts and zoo projects later.
• A lot of zoo’s have petting areas where children can get up close to the tamer animals. They’ll love being able to touch them and might even
be allowed to feed a few. These areas are usually well staffed so a zoo keeper will be around to supervise and offer information about the
animals.
• Organize a scavenger hunt for older children by making a list of animal attributes (reptile, carnivore etc…) in advance and get them to find one
animal for each on the list.
• Most exhibits usually have a fact file with information about each animal. Read it with the children as you watch the animals. Maybe even make it
into a quick quiz. Get the children to test your knowledge by asking you a question about the animal and they can check your answer from the fact file or vice versa.

A trip to the zoo is can be fun for the whole family and it’s perfect for stimulating activities. The kids will be more than happy to learn more and do
crafts and activities about the animals they’ve seen.

TIP: Prepare a packed lunch to take with you so you can avoid the long queues and save money.

 

Jo Linsdell is the author and illustrator of the rhyming children’s picture book Out and About at the Zoo. Find out more about her at
www.JoLinsdell.com

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