101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child - GIVEAWAY - Ends 8/15/11

Giveaway

Every parent should own a copy of this book! Reviewed on Mommy Blog Expert earlier this week, 101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child by Steve and Ruth Bennett, $19.95 from BPT Press, has so many great ideas to keep your child busy any time of year. The best part is that each and every activity suggested in this title is meant to get kids away from electronics -- paving the way to your family spending more tech free quality time together.

Even better news: I'm giving away a copy of this book to one lucky reader and all you have to do is leave a comment below to enter to WIN this great prize.

101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child

Book GIVEAWAY

Ends August 15, 2011

HOW TO ENTER

Leave one or more comments below this post. Contest ends August 15, 2011 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only.

For the Required (Mandatory) Entry

Simply leave a comment below this blogpost with your email address, Facebook or Twitter contact info so we may contact the winner. In the event that you are the lucky one, MommyBlogExpert will contact you for your shipping address.

For Additional Chances to Win

Get extra entries for following MommyBlogExpert on Twitter and/or Facebook and/or for subscribing to this blog. Remember: Be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert to leave an additional comment after each individual action you do to confirm them so we can record all your extra chances to win.

EXTRA Chances to WIN Include

Following MommyBlogExpert (1 or 2 extra entries)

On Twitter

On Facebook

AND/OR

Subscribing to MommyBlogExpert's blog (1 extra entry) - Go to right column to sign up

In ADDITION to doing any or all of the extra entries above, you can earn one extra entry each time you Tweet the message exactly in the paragraph immediately below (limit 3 separate tweets for 3 extra entries per day).

101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child Book GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/4y5lchl #book #kids #family RT 2 #WIN

Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

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Great Family-Friendly Giveaways!

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FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert is giving away the review copy of the book mentioned to one lucky reader. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Flightless Goose Kids Book Review

Children's Books

A Story About Rising Above Challenges - Review & GIVEAWAY

MBE received the featured book to facilitate review

I'm thrilled to let you know that Mommy Blog Expert is today's stop on the Flightless Goose Virtual Book Tour! I invite you to read my review below and enter the giveaway I'm hosting to win a copy of your very own.

As a mommy blogger I am approached by dozens of publishers and authors every week about reviewing their books. Unfortunately, due to time limits, I have to be selective because I just don't have the time I wish I had as a mommy blogger with triplets plus one more to share all the great kid's books that are out there.

One book I think families with young children ought to know about is Flightless Goose by Eric D. Goodman. The tale is actually based on the real-life story about a goose that lived in Columbus, Ohio. When the author and his wife, Nataliya (who illustrated for this project) witnessed the downed bird's troubles, they decided to create a kid's book around that scenario.

As the story goes, Gilbert the Goose has a terrible accident and can no longer fly, so he can't migrate with his feathered friends when they fly south every winter. What transpires when Gilbert is left behind and he is faced with a variety of challenges such as how a goose can survive a Midwestern Winter in the snow makes for an inspirational story that parents and children will both enjoy.

What I like best about Flightless Goose

It's hard cover which means it can withstand many, many readings of the story.
The juvenile title is a real family affair with its husband-wife writer-illustrator daddy-mommy team work.
The watercolor & pen illustrations are unique, colorful, and plentiful, making this a good one to keep very young kids engaged as you read to them.
Text is simple enough that older children who have a bit of intellectual ability can take their turn reading to mom, dad, or even the entire family.
The story is based on a real incident involving animals, a subject that is most kid-friendly.
It illustrates sensitivity toward disabilities and character who are different from their peers. At the same time the tale is very upbeat, about rising above and beyond challenges. Both things children are never too young to learn about in a story format such as this.

**About the Flightless Goose, $15.95, Hardcover**

Available direct from the author as well as on Amazon. Published by The Writer's Lair Books.

Leave a comment below this post if you have questions for the author to answer or read on to find out how to win a copy of this book.

The Flightless Goose

GIVEAWAY

HOW TO ENTER

Leave one or more comments below this post. Contest ends July 31, 2011 at 12 midnite PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only.

For the Required (Mandatory) Entry

For Additional Chances to Win

Get extra entries for following MommyBlogExpert on Twitter and/or Facebook, Flightless Goose on Facebook , Writer's Lair on Twitter, and/or for subscribing to this blog. Remember: Be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert to leave an additional comment after each individual action you do to confirm them so we can record all your extra chances to win.

EXTRA Chances to WIN Include

Following MommyBlogExpert (1 or 2 extra entries)

@mommyblogexpert on Twitter

@mommyblogexpert on Facebook

Following Flightless Gloose (1 or 2 MORE extra entries)

@flightlessgoose on Facebook

AND/OR

Following Writer's Lair

@WLBks on Twitter

Flightless Goose Kid's Hard Cover Picture Book Review & GIVEAWAY http://tinyurl.com/3rly9os @WLBks #flightlessgoose #family RT 2 #WIN

Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

LOTS More

Great Family-Friendly Giveaways!

Currently Being Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert

ENTER Them All HERE

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert received the book reviewed in this post. The sponsor will be shipping the book for the giveaway prize directly to the winner, so I am not responsible for its delivery. I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Supreme Court Overturns Law Against Violent Video Game Sales to Kids - What it Means to Families

Parenting

Editor's Note: When I first heard about this shortly before the 4th of July weekend, I thought it was another reason to celebrate America advocating for our children. After all, isn't that what makes the USA so great, that our youths' lives are treasured like the most precious of jewels? Then I read the newspaper more carefully and realized that actually the exact opposite was true.

My first grader at the 4th of July Bike Parade

Vintage Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Indeed, we've got some real bad news for moms and dads here. Especially if you're like me and you're worried about your kids playing with (or merely being possibly exposed to) violent and inappropriate video games.

As a mommy blogger I've had first-hand experience on the hi tech and gaming front. I've reviewed and worked with family-friendly video games including the Facebook-based game A Better World by ToonUps and others. I am a Nancy Drew AmbassadHer for HerInteractive too. Most importantly, as a journalist, I'm always looking for entertainment and technologies that promote good values. Further, I'm a Certified Online Mom, and as you may already know, I'm passionate about being an involved parent when it comes to safe technology use on the Internet and offline for kids.

So what's got my feathers all riled up? In case you haven't already heard the U.S. Supreme Court -- before going into summer recess at the end of June -- has declared unconstitutional a California law banning sales of violent video games to children. Note, as you read on and think about its impact on children: the government routinely uses the word "recess" to describe the summer vacation of America's elected and appointed officials, including the judges of the highest court.

Shockingly as I view it, the 7-2 ruling in this case has been viewed as a win-win for video game makers and sellers. The video gaming industry's argument: the existing voluntary ESRB ratings system, which is in already place nationwide, is "an adequate screen for parents to judge the appropriateness of computer game content."

I took my kids to visit Washington, DC as elementary school students

Vintage Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Having taught my kids that the U.S. government loves and protects its children when I took them on a roadtrip to Washington, DC when they were younger, I just don't get this. So I did a little research about the issues as well as find out more about who our U.S. Supreme Court Judges are to try and make more sense of all this.

Referencing a rejected California law restricting the sale or rental of violent video games to minors the Supreme Court decided in June that video games -- even violent ones -- qualify under the U.S. Constitution for First Amendment protection.

That's a scary thought because the court's position applies even when kids are involved.

I then dug further and discovered that

The current Supreme Court of the United States' nine members -- 3 women, 6 men -- have between 0 and 9 children each, totaling 13 kids in all.
The two most-recently added Associates, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, aren't married and neither woman has offspring and that Associate Justice Scalia has the most of any judge with 9 children.
All the other Associates as well as Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. have 2 or 3 kids each.
That's not including grandchildren or great grand kids some of the more senior Justices likely have -- which I wasn't able to count.

With so many children who are descendants of these Supreme Court justices that are also impacted by the deciion, it really surprises me that the outcome is so pro Big Business and not at all child-friendly.

I'm also concerned about your children and mine -- collectively representing our nation's future. I am proud to be an American and support the U.S. Constitution as one of its patriotic citizens. I'm also a firm believer, to a certain extent, in things like Freedom of Speech and the Press. But I am also a mom of four kids -- triplets plus one more all born within a year -- and I think the First Amendment was taken too far in this particular decision.

My oldest as a toddler on the old-style PC CRT at The Disney Club

Vintage Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

In the end, I don't want my kids playing violent video games on their friends' hand-held devices during recess. Now it's your turn to weigh in on this issue. How about you? As a mom or dad of kids that potentially will be affected by this Supreme Court ruling both short- and long-term, what do you think?

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert's opinions in this post are my own. Further, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

5 Secrets You May Not Know About For Huge Savings on Family Travel With Kids This Summer

Family Travel

My girls & I picked wild huckleberries in Idaho on one road trip
The fruit was unbelievably delicious, and the bonding experience priceless
iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Family travel is better than ever before. Thanks in part to technology and online companies such as Orbitz, CheapTickets, and other discount travel sites as well as recent partnerships between companies like deal site Groupon and travel giant Expedia it's never been easier to plan your own vacation getaway with the kids without a travel agent.

With all those great resources, you'd think you should stop there, right? The truth is there are so many more ways to save money on your next family vacation, whether it's a road trip or you'll be taking a flight or some other mode of transportation with the kids to your destination.

Consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch just shared some of her thrifty travel ideas with me. Some that I hadn't thought of when planning my own family's vacation adventures, which are notoriously always low budget. Andrea's advice is so great that I wanted Mommy Blog Expert readers to benefit from this new-found knowledge as well as to also add a few ideas of my own to help you keep traveling expenses as low as possible this summer.

Avoid High Season Travel Costs Altogether

Plan a trip that takes advantage of off-season pricing. For example, believe it or not summer is low season in parts of places like Arizona. During those less crowded time of the year like summer in Tucson, hotel prices are often a fraction of what they are in winter. Obviously, it goes without saying that you should actually try and avoid high season in a place like Disneyland unless you like standing for hours in line with impatient and whining kids and don't mind paying higher hotel rates besides.

Buy Travel Products at Auctions

The auctions at travel sites like LuxuryLink.com can help you find hotels, entertainment and meal vouchers and free drinks for as much as 65 percent off. Auction king eBay also offers a variety of discount vacation packages in their travel section, but be sure you are dealing with a reputable seller by checking their customer ratings before pushing the buy button. Don't forget to tap the deal sites mentioned at the beginning of this post, too, for amazing savings.

Become a College Student Again (Sort Of)

Traveling on a budget is still possible if you know where to look. For example, adventurous and thrifty travelers should consider checking out hostels -- which contrary to popular belief -- are not just for single, 20 something aged kids carrying college ID, both in the U.S. and abroad. My own kids and hubbie had the awesome experience of staying at a hostel in London last summer at a fraction of the price of hotels in this highly desirable neighborhood. Also, colleges and universities rent out empty dorms during the summer, so research those too.

Use Discounted Gift Cards

You can save big bucks by planning ahead and purchasing gift cards at sites like GiftCardGranny.com for mega rental car and airline savings. Make sure you sign up for email alerts, though, because discount gift cards for airlines like Southwest sell out right away.

My 4 little kids on a trip to Gatorland, Orlando Florida

Vintage photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

Don't Eat Out

Especially with kids, eating out at restaurants three times a day might set you back more than your hotel or transportation costs will, so look for motels and hotels offering free breakfast perks. Alternately, many of the family-friendly chain motels offer in-room microwaves and some even come with refrigerators at no extra charge so you can save hundreds of dollars on food over a week or two simply by going to the grocery store. This will also leave some change in your pocket so you can still afford to enjoy the occasional restaurant meal now and then while traveling.

Mid-century Classic Police Car, Kingman Police Station, AZ

iPhone Photo by Janis Brett Elspas, MommyBlogExpert.com

My family is big on roadtripping to National Parks, Historic Route 66, and other really cool and sometimes remote places here in the U.S. So we've taken that traveling kitchen concept one step further. Whenever we are on a driving vacation we bring several ice chests as well as our own small microwave, hotplate, and toaster oven in case the motel has no appliances at all. An added tip, by local farm stand produce along the way or do what my family does: seek out the many You Pick Farms dotting the U.S. and pick huckleberries and lots of other fruits and vegetables. We've even used our hot plate and brought canning equipment along to can all kinds of berries we picked one summer.

If you liked this article be sure to also check out my Mommy Blog Expert post on 10 Tips for a Distraction-Free Kid Centric Family Vacation too!

About Andrea Woroch

Andrea really knows what she's talking about. She has been featured on NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ABC News NOW and others. For more travel insider's advice, visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Twitter to receive more travel savings tips.

What innovative ways do you and your kids use to save money on family vacations? Leave a comment to tell us your secrets to frugal travel.

FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Babar and The Adventures of Badou: Swing Into Summer Kidtoons Movie GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY

Entry Details Below

Image provided by Kidtoon Films

For almost a year now, Mommy Blog Expert has been thrilled to be among the chosen few blogs to host some really great family friendly monthly Kidtoons movie giveaways in conjunction with their monthly screenings just for children in theaters nationwide.

Past Kidtoons Movies Giveaways hosted here include:

This blog's Kidtoons giveaway is different every month, depending on the movie. But, they're always fun and wholesome for children, so don't miss out on entering the current giveaway as well as subscribing to MommyBlogExpert's feed, so you will be among the first to know when next month's giveaway is announced as well as always be in the know about the many other contests announced on this blog regularly.

For the entire month of weekends in July it's Kidtoons' Babar and The Adventures of Badou: Swing Into Summer showing in select theaters nationwide with reduced ticket prices at many locations.

The newest movie is an off shoot of the French 1931 children's classic book series Babar the Elephant by Jean de Brunoff. Babar has been translated into a variety of languages and has been read by children worldwide for more than four generations. Even my mom, who is now a great grandmother, read the stories to me 50+ years ago and once read and loved these books herself when she was a little girl!

About the Movie
In this animated feature film, Babar's grandson Badou and friends travel to lands far and wide using a variety of ways to get there. The story teaches valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and being true to yourself.

Babar and The Adventures
of Badou: Swing Into Summer

GIVEAWAY CONTEST

Ends August 2, 2011

Image provided by Kidtoon Films

This month we're giving away another awesome multi-prize package to one lucky winner: The Babar Prize Pack includes

1 Babar book
1 assorted DVD from Nelvana
1 Stuffed Animal Polar Bear
1 Babar and The Adventures of Badou: Swing Into Summer movie poster

HOW TO ENTER

Leave one or more comments below this post. Contest ends August 2, 2011 at 11:59 PST and is open to legal residents of the U.S. only.

For the Required (Mandatory) Entry

For Additional Chances to Win

Get extra entries for following MommyBlogExpert and/or Kidtoons on Twitter and/or Facebook and for subscribing to this blog. Remember: Be sure to return to MommyBlogExpert to leave an additional comment after each individual action you do to confirm them so we can record all your extra chances to win.

EXTRA Chances to WIN Include

Following MommyBlogExpert (1 or 2 extra entries)

On Twitter

On Facebook

AND

Following Kidtoon Films (1 or 2 MORE extra entries)

On Twitter

On Facebook

AND

Subscribing to MommyBlogExpert's blog (1 extra entry) - Go to right column to sign up

Babar Elephant Summer Movie GIVEAWAY Sweepstakes DVD Book Toy Animal & Poster http://tinyurl.com/3m4oenn #kids #movie #giveaway RT 2 #WIN

Don't forget to return to leave a comment on this post with the direct link right after every Tweet you do so you'll receive an entry for each of your RTs.

About Kidtoon Films

Kidtoons mission is to showcase fun and affordable family-centric movies at participating theaters. Every month a different entertaining child's film is screened at well over 100 neighborhood theaters across the U.S. So, be sure to check theater locations near you because more big screens where you can take your child to see this have been added recently .

This concept brings parents and children together to enjoy kid-friendly characters, cartoons, music videos and sing-a-longs as well as giveaways for the kid audience members like stickers, activity books or toys after every film.

Everyone can get a FREE movie pass to a Kidtoon Films showing in your neighborhood on your child's birthday. Sign up your kid(s) for the Birthday Club here. See more information on the Kidtoons concept and find the theater location nearest you where this cute film is showing, as well as see the movie's trailer here.

LOTS More

Great Family-Friendly Giveaways!

Currently Being Hosted by Mommy Blog Expert

ENTER Them All HERE

FTC Disclosure: Kidtoon Films has provided the prizes for this giveaway. However, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

MOMMY BLOG EXPERT

Tab Names + Order

101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child - GIVEAWAY - Ends 8/15/11

Flightless Goose Kids Book Review

Children's Books

A Story About Rising Above Challenges - Review & GIVEAWAY

**About the Flightless Goose, $15.95, Hardcover**

Supreme Court Overturns Law Against Violent Video Game Sales to Kids - What it Means to Families

5 Secrets You May Not Know About For Huge Savings on Family Travel With Kids This Summer

Babar and The Adventures of Badou: Swing Into Summer Kidtoons Movie GIVEAWAY