Congratulations to

Ria Martin, of Decatur, GA!

As my loyal readers know, I have long been a fan of LeapFrog products, so when the public relations folks at LeapFrog chose me as one of their reviewers for the as-yet-unreleased Leapster Explorer, I was thrilled. It’s absolutely awesome. All four of my kids, ages 6-11, have been using it and they love it, even though it’s technically for up to age 9. My two youngest, especially, have been using it as often as I’ll let them, since we received it.

Since it hasn’t technically been released yet, we haven’t been able to hook the Explorer up to the computer, but all the pre-installed apps are great. My kids are thoroughly entertained and educated all at once and have nothing but good to say about the games. “The games are more fun than the Leapster 2′s,” says my 7-year-old, Cody. Logan, 6,  now refuses to even touch the Leapster 2, deeming it “boring” in comparison, though knowing the temperamental nature of kids, that will change soon, I’m sure.

Kids can watch videos, read e-Books and play games via “Leaplets,” which are downloadable learning applications. They can also go online to LeapWorld, where they can turn the achievements they’ve made in their Explorer games into tokens with which to create an online character and dwelling (similar to Webkinz, if you’re familiar with that).

The Explorer is very intuitive (it personalizes games according to your child’s grade and remembers her progress) and the screen is crisp and clear. Kids can use the accompanying stylus or just touch the screen with their fingers, and the Explorer is built to run Flash, video and 3-D graphics.

Bottom line: This is LeapFrog’s absolute best product yet! I’m very impressed with it and can’t wait to see all the games and Leaplets that come out for this new gadget. I think its price is extremely reasonable for everything it does.

The only downside about the Explorer is that, unlike with all the other Leapster models, the game cartridges are not interchangeable, which means you’ll be buying a whole new set. However, its advantages more than make up for that, in my opinion, and Leapster games have long been a staple on my kids’  birthday and Christmas lists.

So, because LeapFrog chose me as a reviewer for this new product, guess what? I get to give away a Leapster Explorer too! Here’s the scoop:

THE PRIZE:

A brand new, direct-from-the-company, Leapster Explorer PLUS the Toy Story 3 cartridge game! Retail value: Nearly $95!

TO ENTER:

♣ Leave a comment telling me about your favorite LeapFrog product. Limit one comment per person.

WANT BONUS ENTRIES?

♣ Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email, then leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (You can do this daily.) Optional phrasing for your Tweet: I’m entered to win a Leapster Explorer & game from @MomofTwinsPlus2. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/2e69j2x.

♣ Post on your blog with a link about the giveaway and leave a comment here with a link to your post.

♣ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs and leave a comment here letting me know.

♣ Become a fan of Parenting By Trial and Error on Facebook and leave a comment here letting me know.

PLEASE READ: Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Saturday, July 3, 2010. Any comments left after this time will be deleted. Open to residents of the U.S. only. The winner will be chosen using random.org. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!

Cindi Hoppes of Edwardsville, IL,

winner of the Fibers.com $25 gift certificate giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest.

Since I am one of the most un-photogenic people on the planet, I decided against photographing myself in these adorable t-shirts.

Two comments on my experience with Fibers.com:

1. The shirts run VERY small. I normally wear a S or M shirt, but I ordered L because I like my t-shirts to be a little loose. They weren’t. First of all, I accidentally ordered one of them in a S, which barely even fits my relatively small 11-year-olds. The L was pretty much like a second skin. So just be aware when you order that you need to order at least two sizes bigger.

2. That said, Fibers.com has impeccable customer service and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. After several months of letting the shirts sit and gather dust, I wrote to my contact person there and explained the situation. He immediately had two XL shirts sent to me in the same designs I had ordered to begin with. Impressive!

THE PRIZE:

$25 gift certificate to Fibers.com. You can design your own apparel or buy one of the many ready-made designs. Some links to get you started:

I Love T-Shirts
Dad T-Shirts
Mom T-Shirts
Big Brother T-Shirts

They are also running a Father’s Day contest to win an iPad, so check that out if you’re interested.

TO ENTER:

♣ Leave a comment on my blog. That’s it! Limit one comment per person, per day.

WANT BONUS ENTRIES?

♣ Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email, then leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (You can do this daily.) Optional phrasing for your Tweet: I’m entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Fibers.com from @MomofTwinsPlus2. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/3xk5m42.

♣ Post on your blog with a link about the giveaway and leave a comment here with a link to your post.

♣ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs and leave a comment here letting me know.

♣ Become a fan of Parenting By Trial and Error on Facebook and leave a comment here letting me know.

PLEASE READ: Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Friday, June 4, 2010. Any comments left after this time will be deleted. Open to residents of the U.S. only. The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!

What I love the most about My Secret Circle is that girls can only be online with their own friends. Obviously the drawback to this is that anyone who wants to be included in this social networking world must purchase an access key, but with the dangers out there in the social networking world for young girls, I think the relatively low cost is totally worth it for those under the age of 13, especially because there are no further costs involved.

Andie and her friend are fans. Not only can they chat, they can share pictures and play games too. Andie really likes the Journal feature as well, since she’s a journal-er. I love that I don’t have to feel too bad about saying no to Facebook; I just wish more parents would say no to Facebook and MySpace for their tweens and yes to this alternative instead.

THE PRIZE:

A My Secret Circle BFF Pack. From the website:

Unlock your secret circle! A key for you and your best friend too!

Stay connected with your friends online with My Secret Circle BBF Pack™! With the BFF pack you get to select your very first circle friend! Online Access Keys unlocks the ability to Journal, Instant Message, Play Games and share photos with your Secret Circle!

No subscriptions or additional fees required.

TO ENTER:

♣ Leave a comment on my blog. That’s it! Limit one comment per person, per day.

WANT BONUS ENTRIES?

♣ Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email, then leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (You can do this daily.) Optional phrasing for your Tweet: I’m entered to win a secure social networking pack from @MomofTwinsPlus2. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/yfd27pq.

♣ Post on your blog with a link about the giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.

♣ Favorite me on Technorati (leave your username).

♣ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs and leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Become a fan of Parenting By Trial and Error on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know.

PLEASE READ: Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Friday, February 19, 2010. Any comments left after this time will be deleted. Open to residents of the U.S. only. The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!

LORI TAUBE

of Fort Collins, CO, on winning my Wikki Stix plus bonus surprise giveaway!

Thanks to all who entered!

This is where you come in. I need help with this oh-so-important decision, so I’m counting on you, my readers, to help me out with this by leaving a comment telling me which one(s) is/are your favorite(s).

Here we go. (This is in no particular order, by the way.)

1.  Careful, or you’ll end up in my NOVEL.

2.  I am an instrument of change — I write.

3.  Deadlines amuse me.

4.  The voices are getting louder. Must be time to write.

5.  WRITER’S BLOCK: When your imaginary friends won’t talk to you.

6.  bad grammar makes me [sic]

7.  Obey the muse.

8.  Books may well be the only true magic.

9.  How To Write Good: Rule #4 — Avoid clichés like the plague.

10.  Don’t read this shirt. It’s only a draft.

11.  I write, therefore…I’m broke.

12.  NOT NOW! I’m on deadline.

13.  I prefer my own worlds to this one.

14.  Eschew obfuscation.

15.  Oh, this is SO going in my next novel.

16.  Writers create immortality.

17.  Instant writer: Just add coffee.

18.  Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

OK, so what do you think?

For even more fun, I’ll send the person who leaves what I deem the most amusing comment a surprise gift. Woo hoo!

So I’m doing a giveaway, and of course, like all my giveaways, it’s very cool.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a box full of Wikki Stix samples shortly before Christmas. If you haven’t heard of Wikki Stix, they’re these clever sticks of yarn covered with wax that you can bend and twist all over the place, no glue required. They’re totally reusable and non-toxic. The best part? There’s no mess to clean up!

Logan has been coveting Wikki Stix for ages as they suit his creative interests very well, so he received the samples for Christmas. All the kids have been enjoying making various creations with them and even their dad got in on it the other day. I have nothing but good to say about Wikki Stix. They’re a great addition to every kid’s activity repertoire. They’re fun, easy to use and encourage imaginative play.

THE PRIZE:

Wikki Stix Alphabet kit, for ages 3 and up. Includes 36 Wikki Stix with six large alphabet cards for learning. I will also be including a bonus surprise in the package, just because I feel like it. I don’t know what it’ll be yet, but I promise, it’ll be good. Or at least interesting. You never know with me. =)

TO ENTER:

♣ Leave a comment on my blog. That’s it! Limit one comment per person, per day.

WANT BONUS ENTRIES?

♣ Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email, then leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (You can do this daily.) Optional phrasing for your Tweet: I’m entered to win Wikki Stix from @MomofTwinsPlus2. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/yh2w6ma.

♣ Post on your blog with a link about the giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.

♣ Favorite me on Technorati (leave your username).

♣ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs and leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Become a fan of Parenting By Trial and Error on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know.

PLEASE READ: Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Friday, January 15, 2010. Any comments left after this time will be deleted. Open to residents of the U.S. only. The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!

THE PRIZE:

3 books: Friends for Calico!, Uh-oh, Calico! and Mama Always Comes Home, all signed by the very talented Karma Wilson

TO ENTER:

♣ Leave a comment on my blog listing your favorite children’s book(s). Limit one comment per person.

WANT BONUS ENTRIES?

♣ Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email, then leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (You can do this daily.) Optional phrasing for your Tweet: I’m entered to win 3 signed Karma Wilson books from @MomofTwinsPlus2. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/yjavt2m.

♣ Post on your blog with a link about the giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.

♣ Favorite me on Technorati (leave your username).

♣ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs and leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Become a fan of Parenting By Trial and Error on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know.

PLEASE READ: Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Saturday, January 2, 2010. Any comments left after this time will be deleted. Open to residents of the U.S. only. The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!

Looking for something fun for your 3-5 year-old? The LeapFrog Zippity Learning System might be just the thing, and right now you can enter my giveaway to win one of your own, along with brand new “The Princess and the Frog” software!

LeapFrog sent me a Zippity to review for this giveaway. My kids have all had a blast using it, even the 11-year-olds. It’s engaging and entertaining and perfect for these sub-zero winter days when kids can’t go outside to play. As with every LeapFrog product I’ve ever seen, I’m very impressed with this new gadget. The only downside that I’ve found is that it’s a fairly bulky item, but that doesn’t bother the kids at all, of course.

From the LeapFrog website:

Bring Playhouse Disney to your house with Zippity, the new high-energy learning system that gets preschoolers dancing, jumping, playing and learning with Disney characters they love! The Zippity system introduces preschool curriculum through full-body play and learning. Using the interactive bopper and mat, children can stomp, swing, bop and march, driving the learning with their arms and legs! The Zippity system comes with eight built-in games featuring the popular Playhouse Disney characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Little Einsteins and Handy Manny. All eight built-in learning activities bring the characters to life on your TV through high-quality animations and feature two levels of play for hours of active learning fun. A built-in Learning Path lets parents see the skills their child is exploring as they play, or parents can create a personal LeapFrog® Learning Path online for more in-depth insights and learning ideas.

THE PRIZE: A LeapFrog Zippity Learning System and “The Princess and the Frog” software. This bundle is valued at nearly $105!

TO ENTER:

♣ Leave a comment on my blog. Limit one comment per person, per day.

WANT BONUS ENTRIES?

♣ Become a fan on LeapFrog’s Facebook page.

♣ Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email, then leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (You can do this daily.) Optional phrasing for your Tweet: I’m entered to win a LeapFrog Tag Junior Book Pal bundle from @MomofTwinsPlus2. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/yaj4d9a.

♣ Post on your blog with a link about the giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.

♣ Favorite me on Technorati (leave your username).

♣ Follow my blog on Networked Blogs and leave a comment letting me know.

♣ Become a fan of Parenting By Trial and Error on Facebook and leave a comment letting me know.

PLEASE READ: Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Friday, December 18, 2009. Any comments left after this time will be deleted. Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!