Ringling Brothers- do you have your tickets yet?

Wednesday we saw the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus– you know, the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!!  Lol. 
We got there a little early, so we were able to see the “pre-show” down on the floor.  There were clowns and performers all around, doing various acts and tricks.  Asia the Elephant even came on to paint a picture, which was given away to a lucky circus-goer.
That’s right, an elephant who paints.  It was super cute!  My kids loved it.
Kamikaze got to try on a circus outfit and take her picture with one of the performers (Little Man, of course, refused- what can you do?  Three year olds, LOL).

When the show started, it was like the finale was the introduction, it was such a spectacular. It was so huge, and so over-the-top, that it could have easily been the grand finale.  But nope- it was just the opener!  (My favorite, was they had these “tin soldier” type people who were on a sort of “bouncy stilts”- they were just bouncing around, marching in place- and man they must have fabulously toned legs, haha.  They could sell those things as exercise equipment!)  They also had exotic bird puppets that flew through the air, those were really fantastic.  Then it went dark, and they had a light show.  My kids were in a trance! The theme this year was “Fully Charged”- and it definitely was.  (By the way, Little Man has been singing the “Fully Charged” song singe we got home, LOL- his own version, of course!)

Of course, there were fantastic acrobats, tightrope walkers who did gravity-defying tricks, and lets not forget the animals!  The trainers and the animals were Little Man’s favorites.  They had horses in two rings, while zebras preformed in the third. I don’t know why, but I am always amazed by the zebras.  As the elephant is the “mascot” of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, there were elephants galore.  Even though they are so massive, they are always so majestic and graceful, and I love to see them.

Oh, and the clowns.  No trip to the circus would be complete without them!  Our favorites, and the “featured clowns” were “Stas and Vas”- who were both very talented and very funny.  They totally complimented each other, and we laughed as much as the kids did.
If you don’t have your tickets yet- you need to seriously consider it.  It’s not called the “Greatest Show on Earth” for nothing, after all!
Happy Family Time!

(You can visit them on Facebook HERE as well!)

EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale™ Review and Contest

I have to say, the EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scaleis super handy.  As a person who LOVES to travel, this is fabulous to have.  It will eliminate all the guessing of “how much does this weigh?”  “Will I have to pay an extra fee at the airport?”  and trying to get your luggage weighed on your traditional bathroom scale, LOL. 

Seriously- with airlines charging and arm and a leg to fly already- and with the simply evil ones charging per bag- can we really afford to guess when it comes to EXTRA FEES????  No thanks.
When I had the chance to review the EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale  I jumped at it.  I don’t fly as much as I used to (kids!) but when I do, I don’t mess around.  I like to pack in advance, I like to know what the baggage limits are, sizes & weights.  We are big travelers here- I consider us “road warriors”, LOL- and as you all know- knowing is half the battle.  When traveling, surprises are often unwelcome.  (Especially those that hit your wallet!)

The EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale  is super easy to use, as well.  It has a double handle smart grip design, which makes it easy to lift even heavy or awkward luggage.  We let the kids hang off it to illustrate how easy it is to use- for real, if it can measure wiggly 6 year old, it will have no problem with your baggage!  🙂

  • EatSmart SmartGrip two-handed design – Easier lifting of heavy luggage
  • 110 lb / 50 kg capacity – Graduation of .1 lbs / .1 kgs
  • Easy-to-read backlit LCD display
  • Compact and lightweight design – Perfect for any traveler
  • Auto Calibated; Auto Power-Off; Runs on 1 long-life lithium battery (included); 100% EatSmart Satisfaction Guarantee

NEVER PAY OVERWEIGHT BAG FEES AGAIN! The EatSmart Precision Voyager digital luggage scale is a practical solution to most airline luggage restrictions*.
Simply clip the EatSmart buckle to the handle of a suitcase or bag. EatSmart‘s proprietary two handed SmartGrip design allows for easier lifting of even the heaviest bags. Lift the bag and the scale will beep when the weight has been determined and appear in the large baklit LCD. Push the ON/OFF button and the scale resets to zero for the next bag.
The scale is compact, lightweight and durable so you can take it along for the return journey.
The Precision Voyager is a practical solution from the casual vacationer to the road warrior!
*Most airlines now impose a strict 50 lb. weight limit on bags per person. Check with your individual airline before flying.

You can get your own EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale  HERE!
You can also enter to win one below- here is how to enter! 

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  


 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Become a “fan” of Eat Smart Products on FaceBook.   I’d love you to tell them Have Sippy Will Travel sent you- never required, always appreciated!

Follow Eat Smart Products on Twitter and tweet about this contest
#Win EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale™ Review a… http://t.co/d8lNKld  @HaveSippy

-“Like” me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Sippy-Will-Travel/118293111555385 

+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription
+3 entries

Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win EatSmart Precision Voyager Luggage Scale™ Review a… http://t.co/d8lNKld  @HaveSippy 

Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please)

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– enter the Heirloom Wooden  Toys Contest HERE

– comment on a non-giveaway post

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck!

DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends  March 28,  2011.  

Skin MD Review and Contest!

Skin MD Natural is a light and non-greasy lotion that works to prevent and heal dry skin. It does not have any heavy scents, so it is great for men, women, kids, anyone to use!
Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion + Sunscreen SPF 15 from Skin MD Natural is really fabulous. We all know we need to use sunblock daily- both for heath and for beauty. Sunblock keeps us looking youthful for longer, keeping the sun from damaging our skin and making us appear older. It also prevents harmful damage that can cause cancer and other unhealthy signs of skin damage, like skin spots. And moisturizing is so important to a fresh face and healthy skin. (Especially in this weather- YUCK!)
I never wear lotion on my face, except a few brands especially made just for faces with sunblock in them to moisturize. I get breakouts, rashes, or blackheads. Or, if I’m really “lucky”, all of them at once! I tried some Skin MD on a small patch of skin on my cheek to see what would happen, and I was pleasantly surprised. Nothing bad! And it felt smooth. So I tried it all over, and it was great. No breakouts, no oily-ness, no extra blackheads. Yay!
It has no heavy smell, so my husband and Little Man liked it as well. Little Man has that awful skin, so anything that may help is a good thing in my book!

A bit about why Skin MD is “Natural”

“Currently the FDA has no regulations concerning the labeling of beauty or skin care products as natural. Products containing toxic, even potentially carcinogenic, ingredients can label and market themselves as natural. Skin MD Natural is over 93% “natural” and the ingredients that are not “natural” are of food or medical grade quality and on the FDA’s most safe list.
Our lotions are made to be free of parabens, [Read more…]

Just Emailed Winners!

Just emailed lots of winners, LOL….

Power Capes-
Sunglasses- Jennifer
Cold Calm- Wendy
Dinosaur Train Game- Louis
Spike Seasonings- Angela
Total Fitness DVD- Charlene 
Pocoyo DVDs- Tami

Congrats winners!  I will fill in names as they are confirmed.

Giant Microbes- Review and Contest

 Very recently, I opened my mailbox, and it was just FULL of diseases and ailments!   All sorts of germy, sickly, cute contagions were just all over the place.  Wait…what?  Yes, I said cute, LOL.

Of course, I’m talking about Giant Microbes!  And they didn’t make me sick, they made me laugh.  I have to confess right up front- I’m a SUPER fan of this company.  They make all sorts of viruses, spores, diseases, etc in GIANT size, with eyes and in plush, vinyl, and all sorts of assorted merchandise.
And I mean really- what’s better then giving someone Flesh Eating Disease for their birthday?  LOL…it would be the most original gift they got, for sure! 
Confession #2- I gave these out as wedding favors when we got married.  I really, really did.  I figured my aunt was giving me an ulcer– why not give her one back?  HA!  It was so much fun- everyone loved them, and still talks about them years later.  Yeah yeah, no plastic swans here!  I got a bunch of various Giant Microbes, and left them on the tables next to the place cards.   OK, maybe a little odd (I admit it!) but also a lot of fun.  Best. Gifts. Ever.

(We did these, and the fundraiser stuffed animals for charity- every “even” person got a Giant Microbe, every “odd” one got one that helped raise money for charity when we purchased it.)  

This time- we got to review The Common Cold Plush Doll, Bed Bug Vinyl Doll, and the Amoeba Petri Dish.  Fun, fun!

I love these guys.  And they are so much fun- they come with all these facts about them printed on their tags, so you get to learn all about your disease!  🙂 

Want a chance to win from Giant Microbes?
Here is how to enter!

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  


 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Become a “fan” of Giant Microbes on FaceBook.   I’d love you to tell them Have Sippy Will Travel sent you- never required, always appreciated!

Follow Giant Microbes on Twitter and tweet about this contest
#Win Giant Microbes- Review and Contest http://t.co/IrPDuLH @HaveSippy 

-“Like” me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Sippy-Will-Travel/118293111555385 

+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription
+3 entries

Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
#Win Giant Microbes- Review and Contest http://t.co/IrPDuLH @HaveSippy 
Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please)

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– comment on a non-giveaway post

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck!

DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends  March 28,  2011.  

Thomas’ Bagel Thins Morning Tips

Tips from Thomas’ Bagel Thins!

KERI GLASSMAN
Thomas’® Bagel Thins™ Bagels Morning Tips

Don’t skimp on sleep
o It’s important to get a good night’s sleep to feel well-rested – ready to take
on the day! Most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep each
night, and studies have shown that those who get less have impaired
memory and physical performance. Not getting enough sleep can also
make concentration difficult, and leave you feeling drowsy all day. So aim
to get enough sleep each night. It’ll boost your immune system, help your
nervous system work properly, and leave you feeling energized all day!
Experts estimate that compared to getting 7 to 8 hours per night, the risk
of developing obesity rises 23 percent with just 6 hours of sleep per night,
50 percent with only 5 hours per night, and 73 percent with 4 hours per
night!

Have a healthy breakfast
o While sleeping each night, your body is in a fasting mode, so within an
hour of rising, you need to break that fast by eating a healthy breakfast.
It gives your body the fuel it needs to meet your busy schedule and
skipping breakfast decreases your metabolism, and increases your
cravings throughout the day! Studies have also shown consuming
breakfast improves cognition and memory in children and adolescents
making them able to concentrate and be more attentive in school. We all
have some kid in us, so use this tip to your advantage!

Eat empowered
o Every morning when you sit down to breakfast (and every meal!),
remember that each meal is an opportunity to get back in the game
and stay on course. You should feel empowered by making the right
choices. There are always healthier alternatives to the high-fat, high-
calorie, nutrient-less options that we all tend to go for, and I always keep
a healthy staple product on-hand to help me quickly make a delicious and
nutritious meal. Thomas’® Bagel Thins™ bagel is one of those better-for-
you options – they’re 110 calories each, low in fat and every flavor is at
least a good source of fiber. It’s not “I can’t eat that heavy bagel” – it IS –
“I can eat the Thomas’ Bagel Thins™ bagel!

Start with a glass of lemon water
o Drinking enough h2o throughout the day helps with weight loss in
several ways. First, there’s an emotional component; it will make you feel
empowered and will help spur you to make good choices for the rest of
the day. Second, researchers have long known that dieters who replace
sweetened drinks with water lose weight more quickly that those who
don’t. Finally, many people overeat because they are actually thirsty and
just can’t tell the difference between thirst and hunger. Also, when you’re
adequately hydrated, your metabolism functions at its best.

Exercise steady
o Aside from burning calories, exercise is important because it causes your
body to release endorphins, making you feel good, and motivating you

to eat well, do your job well, and simply be happy! I love exercising in the
early am, and eating breakfast when I’m done, and typically, people who
work out in the morning are more likely to stick to their routine, than those
who squeeze it in later. If you’re averse to starting your day with more
rigorous exercises like running, try a lower-impact activity like yoga. Just
do something!

Source for “Don’t skimp on sleep” stat: Inadequate Sleep as a Risk Factor for Obesity:
Analyses of the NHANES I

James E. Gangwisch, PhD1; Dolores Malaspina, MD, MPH2; Bernadette Boden-Albala,
Dr.PH3; Steven B. Heymsfield, MD4 1Mailman School of Public Health, Department
of Epidemiology; 2Department of Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Neurobiology;
3Department of Neurology and Department of Sociomedical Sciences; 4Obesity
Research Center, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center; Columbia University, College of
Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY

http://www.journalsleep.org/Articles/281017.pdf

Thomas’ Bagel Thins, Review and Contest!

Thomas, famous for English Muffins, just came out with a new diet breakfast food.  They wanted to help start your day off right.  Breakfast being the most important meal of the day, so may people skip it when dieting.  Not good, folks!  So they created a bagel that was thin, had lots of fiber, and is only 110 calories.
These new Bagel Thins come in various size packs and flavors, like whole wheat, cinnamon raisin, everything, and others.  


I’m not loving them.  Sorry!  They are good if you put an egg between them, and thereby use less calories then a regular bagel or toast- but I just don’t like them regular.  To me, they totally taste like “diet” food.   My husband says they get crunchy fast, so he thinks that is a positive.

The way we ended up using most of them was with turkey bacon, and an egg on it for weekend breakfasts.  That was good.  They made up a low-calorie, high fiber way to add the bread part of the sandwich.

From the Thomas website- 
“Light texture and delicious taste in a 110 calorie bagel.

THIS PRODUCT IS:

  • 0g Trans Fat
  • Cholesterol Free
  • Good Source of Fiber
  • Low Fat”

Thomas would like to send coupons for 5 of you to try out their new Bagel Thins for free.
Here is how to enter!

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win. 


 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

-Sign up for Thomas’ newsletter Here

-“Like” me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Sippy-Will-Travel/118293111555385
(leave your FaceBook ID so I can check)
+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription
+3 entries

Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
Please make sure you follow first!
#Win Thomas’ Bagel Thins, Review and Contest! http://t.co/6aMAvvH  @HaveSippy
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please)

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– comment on a non-giveaway post

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck!

DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends  March 28,  2010.  

Fierce Fun Toys- Win a fun-tabulous toy!

I recently went to NY Toy Fair, and had the chance to hang out with some Fierce Fun Toys!  Some super fun toys to be seen at this booth- including our new buddy, Ben KaCHOO!  Poor Ben has allergies.  He is a Hippopotamus that lives in a swamp at the zoo, and the poor thing just can’t stop sneezing.  But he takes it all in stride and really makes the best of it!  He even makes a buddy because of his sniffles and snuffles. 

Ben is super fun, and makes all the kids laugh when you read his story while making him ACHOO!! all the while.  The kids at the Pre-K were so excited that he made a sneeze when you squeeze his tail!  (He actually has six varieties of sneeze, as well as saying “WHOA!” and “Excuse me!”  Even Hippos have manners!)    🙂

Toy/Book Specifics…
The 10-inch hippo plush toy offers six  different ‘sneezes’, along with an “whoa“, and excuse me” with a squeeze of his tail! Clearly not your average hippo, or even your average sneezer!  Add on the 32-page brightly illustrated picture book (with a page of stickers) where after accidentally sneeze-jetting into a crocodile named Arrow, the two start an unexpected friendship.  How will this change the swamp? Toy and book are purchased separately.

 
Ben had a bit too much fun with the stickers in his book (the book comes with 2 pages of adorable stickers).  Ok, it wasn’t all Ben’s fault.  I had to go help a child who somehow got himself totally soaked in the bathroom from head to toe.  When I came back, Little Man and his buddy did some “decorating”…

What do you think of Ben’s new look?
He’s pretty, no?  LOL….eh, no harm, no foul!  There are 2 other toys that Fierce Fun Toys makes- and new ones on the way! 
Currently also available are Harry Hiccers- a Hiccuping Koala, and Norman PhartEphant- a Pharting Elephant. 

My Little Man thinks that Norman sounds like “the bestest toy, mom, the very bestest- can you get him now?”  and  “Mom, Mom….MOMMY!  Ben needs a friend, he’s so lonely, mom!  The Norman needs to come here now and play with him.”
Yes, “The Norman”.  LOL.  Ben is really fun, and the kids all loved playing with him.  Reading the story was great.  I don’t want to tell you too much about it and ruin the suspense, LOL- so lets just say he meets an unlikely buddy in an unlikely way.
And this is a great company-  founded and run by a Mommy- that cares about kids.  A company that cares!

“Beyond bringing humor and big messages to growing minds, Fierce Fun Toys, LLC is a philanthropic for-profit company the donates a portion of our proceeds to a few amazing charities that help children  everywhere, including Half the Sky (supporting orphans in China) and Smile Train (helping children with cleft lip/palette worldwide).”

I love companies that care- and companies run by mommas!  GO FIERCE FUN TOYS, you rock!
Would you like your own toy from Fun Fierce Toys? You can get one HERE!
You can also enter below. 
Here is how to win!
 
Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.  

Which is your favorite and who are you giving it to?

 Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Become a “fan” of Fun Fierce Toys on FaceBook.   I’d love you to tell them Have Sippy Will Travel sent you- never required, always appreciated!

-“Like” me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-Sippy-Will-Travel/118293111555385
(leave your FaceBook ID so I can check)
+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription
+3 entries

Follow me on Twitter ( you can use my adorable button to the side!) and tweet about this contest
Please make sure you follow first!
+2 entries

– Stumble this post

– Email a friend about this contest, with a CC to me at  kangabunnie@gmail.com
(you get an extra entry if they enter, too!)

 -Add my button to your blog, and leave me the link so I can find it

– Follow me on “Networked Blogs”

– blog about this giveaway, and link back to this contest (leave me the URL in comment, please)

-Add me to your blogroll, with a link back to me

– Vote for me on “We’re On The Fence!”  (Just Click the Button to the left that says “We’re On the Fence” until it confirms you voted for your’s truly!)

– enter another one of my giveaways

– comment on a non-giveaway post

OOO, so many ways to win! Good luck!

DISCLOSURE: A product sample was provided for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited by law.  Open to US shipping addresses only.  Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above.  Sponsor is responsible for providing and mailing prize. Ends  March 28,  2010.