Birthday Gifts for the Grandbabes

Next month is the birthday of my Grandbabes. Actually just one day apart at that. So we have been looking at different things to put in their packages. We found something for them to share in their bedroom.  And a lil to help decorate it up some for our Grandson.  But there has to be all the extra fillers too.  At least for me that is how I always see it.

I have to always have in some books as reading is so important to me.  And the Grandbabes both love stories.  My Grandson will love the cardboard book 'Rocket Town'.  It is perfect with rockets, trucks and trains while they are traveling in an old pickup.  Bright colors that help the countdown to blastoff.  This was done by Bob Logan who worked on Madagascar, Open Season and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs too!

I also think that both Grandbabes will love the book 'I Love to Swim' with summer coming up.  Time is the water is part of summer in Texas with the heat we have.  Rita Goldberg wrote this book to help children who so wish to swim.  She started teaching children to swim in a basement pool in England back in 1981.   There is also a dvd in the back of the book to share with your lil ones.  Perfect!   And seeing the joy that water has always brought to kids she was able to show that to children everywhere with this book.  Teaching water safety rules and ways to move so you can swim.  I am thankful for anyway to help alleviate the fear of water that some children have.  I remember being scared when I was a child....thankfully I finally learned how to enjoy the water.  Now I just like to hydrate anytime I can!

My pick for my Granddaughter is 'Bluebonnet Time!'.  What a bold book that has beautiful facts popping out all around you.  Along with the cd of songs to listen to when we are out looking for the wildflowers on our roadsides.  The Bluebonnet is our state flower and one that makes me so happy to see fields covered in the bright colors.  I have shown off my own favorite photo that I took one Easter morning.   I hope that sometime soon I will have time to take some more photos of my own Grandbabes in a field of bluebonnets.  It is almost a Texas tradition.  My Granddaughter loves to read to me, her Nonnie.  This will be a perfect evening read on the porch this summer.  I can't wait.  Can you?

My other lil extra is a Disney dvd for my Granddaughter of Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure.  Sharpay Evans plays a small town Diva who has hit New York City with her lil dog, Boi.  And then the adventure begins.  TK loves to sing along with shows so I know she will be performing right along with the songs here.  Especially the son Baby that Justin Bieber released performed here with  Ashley and Ryan Evans of High School Musical.  See for yourself right here.  You can get your own copy next week as it is being released on April 19th.  I think that it is going to be cute seeing TK with the Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure Limited Edition Clutch that comes with the 3 disc set.

This has been so much fun setting up gifts for the kids.  I wonder what else I might find between now and then.  Thanks so to the different PR reps that sent me these books and the DVD.  I am so lucky to get the sneak peek at them all.  Of course you know I am not paid for this....just lucky to show off the items to you.  What a life!

Hey, That's Me!

Over on Giveawayblogs.com they are having a poll for favorite blogger of the month of August. And I am on the poll!
Can you believe that?
I am floored.
Ok, Ok, I am sure it is because this is my birthday month....hint hint.
Yes next Sunday is the National Holiday. (Wait, that is what Dear Hubby told me?)
Anyway, wanna give me a birthday gift?
Well then go over and vote for me.
Just so I can feel amazed.

BTW, this is a great site to list and find good giveaways.
I adore the folks at UPrinting who set up this Ning site.
You can meet potential sponsors for your giveaways here too!

That is just a few of the good folks over there.

Princess Emma's Birthday Phase 3

Ok now for the books.....and we have some great ones here! I have to give books as reading is one of the greatest gifts I know of. And I always think that we should be willing to help children learn to read.

So let's get started with the great list I have to share with you.



First I want you to meet Nito. This is a very special pup. (Yes, I told you Princess Emma loves pets.) Well Nito is featured in a series of books that share a very special story. These were put out by Assistance Dogs of the West. This is a non-profit organization that helps train and place service dogs. And here we learn about their jobs and how they help with Nito's Tale, Nito Meets Chloe, and Nito and Chloe Get an Invitation. These three books have a wonderful progression from Nito as a puppy all the way to his trip to the White House and all that happens in between.

I love being able to share these three stories with Princess Emma. The best part is that she can learn that animals are able to help us in many ways. The books are aimed at children from the ages of 2-6 years olds. And the art work is bright and fun. Make sure to look for the cute lil red bird in each picture too! I do find it interesting to also find out that 19% of the U.S. population is defined as disabled. Being one of that 19% I am thrilled to help teach others that we may be different but all of us want to be productive. Service animals help many of us do just that.

The next three books in Princess Emma's gift box are all a lil different. The last one being a great surprise.

The first one is a Playtime with Little Nye book. In "It's Vacation Time" we follow Little Nye and friends as summer time is explored. Having packed to go on vacation they are faced with a problem. The suitcase will not shut. (Oh we have all been there.) So some things have to be taken out and explored. We have bright bold colors and wipe clean pages that will help this book travel well. I know we always have a book or two when we are doing car trips. And this one would be a great one for the beginning reader.

Next we are hanging out with our friend Maisy in Maisy Goes to Bed. Here we have many special hidden pictures as we explore this lift-the-flap classic. You have all had Maisy in your home I bet. And we also all have the let's go to bed blues. Well here we can explore with our lil ones the rituals of getting ready for bed. We know lil ones love to imitate these stories. So this is a God send in helping bed time become an easier trip.

And last but surely never least is Flanimals. This is my all time favorite of Princess Emma's gifts. Why? Well it is a big, bold, colorful, fun pop-up book. Have you ever met a Flanimal? Well I had not til now. Here we enter the Flanimal kingdom which we know nothing about. But I can only imagine the stories that Princess Emma is going to share with me when she meets these creatures.

I am so happy to have a big ol stack of books to share with Princess Emma. What are some of your favorite stories that you have shared with the lil ones? At what age do you feel books are right for a gift? And join me in wishing Princess Emma a very special 4th birthday!

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of these books to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

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MY DAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME TODAY!

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Happy Early Birthday to Me

Today I was sitting on the front porch writing a letter to my brother when the Fed Ex guy showed up. Now that is not new as he is here often with Nessa living across the street. She is always receiving a new book or something to review. Actually I am finally getting a few myself. But today the Fed Ex guy seemed a lil confused. So I asked if I could help. Was he here for Nessa? Nope it was for my address. He then asked if I was expecting a large or small package. Honest I was not expecting any package so I was a bit baffled. He dug in the front, he dug in the side and finally dug around some more in the back. I was ready to go and help him dig too!

He pulls out this really good size box. Says yep this is the one for me. "No-no-no, I don't think so" I replied. Yeah had my name and address on it. But why oh why would I receive a box from . . .

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DELL?

Yeah, DELL. I sign for the box and pull open the packing label first.
WOW!
It is from my very best friend of 35 years.
She sent me a new DELL tower hard drive.
WOW!
And now I am sitting here typing to you via the new DELL.

I am shocked, awed, amazed and blown away.
Wouldn't you be!

Finished!

Well we are finally done with the yard sale. It was much better than I thought it would be. All said and done we brought in $400.00 in 3 days to help get transportation up and going. Now to get the money in the bank! And we had help cleaning up. A local non-profit organization, Hospitality H.A.V.E.N that helps others get back on their feet after hardships picked up what we did not want to keep. They will use it for others who need clothes and the such. We also found that we had some other things to donate. I had a complete backpack of school supplies that I had purchased for a child that did not get to use them, 3 brand new shower curtains and pvc pipe to help with plumbing from the garage. My wonderful neighbor and fellow blogger Nessa had also donated her left over items. The organization is even on the look out for an engine for my daughter's car. Today I have a day trip to visit my niece. And I am hoping that my daughter does as she says and finishes cleaning up from the sale. I know I am a skeptic but normally all cleaning and organizing falls to me. So let's cross our fingers for a pleasant surprise.
In previous post you may know I was pulling out the old nasty carpet off my floors. I have managed to get 3 rooms done. The floors underneath were horrid looking but better than icky carpet. Well Alco had the stick on floor tiles on sale for 50% off this week. So we purchased enough for two rooms and last night my daughter and I managed to get most of the living room done. We have the edges, trim and under some heavy furniture to do still. But it looks 80% better than before! So whoo hooo for us. Maybe one day my house will look like it should. But I am not holding my breath.
And I want to add a Happy Birthday to our dear neighbor girl, Ashley. She turns 9 years old today. And she is a princess for the day. I can't wait to see how she turns out this year. She made the A honor roll this 6 weeks and is an avid reader. So for her birthday we are pulling out some of my daughter's favorite book series that we have saved for years, along with a matching dvd and video and hope she enjoys it too! Yes we recycle even presents. Don't have to be new, they have to be from the heart and sincere. And for Ashley we are truly sincere in that we Wish Her a Happy Birthday!

YAHOOOOOOOO

Well finally back online! Fought and fought with verizon to do it too. Let's not go there right now! But I am happy to be here where I belong. Well I am a bit older too, as yesterday was my birthday. Thank you Thank you!
I am now a young 42. And I am loving my new (old) home. Have coffee on the veranda most mornings. So come and join me. I am such a city girl stuck in a country town. But I really have a contry home. Not western mind you, but old country style in and out. That is ok, it is really comfortable. Also my step son has moved in with us too. He is 19 and loves being here. Also my 18 yr old daughter ships out for the Navy in October. So we will see how I handle that.

Well going to catch up on email. Yall be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!