Back To School Round-Up! (Giveaway)
CONTESTS, REVIEWS & CONTESTS | Mommy Niri | August 29, 2011 at 7:41 pmCONTEST CLOSED!
Congratulations Corina!
Even typing those words “back to school” is tough for me. Which feels kind of ridiculous seeing my 1st Grader starts school TOMORROW!!! Yikes. Maybe I should be preparing but part of me is still in denial. Let’s take a 1st stab at the some highlights. Who knows, there may be more roundups (always filled with great giveaways too).
This time I am going to do one big giveaway so I hope some lucky reader gets to celebrate Back-To-School season.
Scrabble Alphabet Scoop Game
I love board games but getting it to work with the patience of younger kids is a challenge. Word games are fabulous and I am a huge fan of early reading and words definitely are a strong component of getting there. There is nothing like hearing my 4 year old yell in the car “Mom, how do you say this word” and she goes on to spell it (something she learned from her sister). I love it. Learning is contagious and if the family played educational games together then they can have fun while learning. While I love Scrabble I knew introducing it to my 6 year old may be a little too hasty, yet I thought this game was a perfect introduction.
Scooping out the letters with a ladle, each of the 4 players get their own, and then have to speedily make words. But worry not that they have to do it from scratch. Each player also gets a card and matches those letters to the words on the cards. You can of course adapt the game to make it as easy or difficult as you like. The tangible feel of the letter tiles lends to the sensory aspect I seek for in games. The little bee tile adds to the fun (or frustration for a 4 year old) as you have to return all your tiles back to the pot should you scoop that out.
The Help – Caramel Cake Tea
Wait, wait! What is that you say? What does tea have to do with Back To School? Ever seen mamas (and papas) at bus stops with that cup in hand? Precisely. I was never a big tea drinker, maybe it was in rebellion to the huge tea love in South Africa, but while dating my now husband I grew back in love with tea. Now, if you follow me on twitter or friends with me of Facebook you will see me speak often about tea. First let’s chat about the inspiration for this tea. Deriving the theme from the movie The Help, which I wrote about recently, the Republic Of Tea’s special edition The Help – Caramel Cake Tea, is so much better than the trinkets spawned after a film hits the circuit. I mean seriously, do we need all that plastic junk?
So this was one movie inspired merchandise I was glad to try out. Besides the fact that I am a tea lover, I love experimenting too. I would not consider myself a tea aficionado aka as snob – since I personally feel that those shee-shee places that sell tea in the corner of malls are way too intimidating and make it look more like a club. I am of the ilk that feels tea is that thing you have on a lazy afternoon where time stands still with your family. The fact that this had black tea in it meant I knew I would start loving it. Admittedly having the word “cake” in the name did not hurt me agreeing to it too. A subtle hint of sweetness but definitely more a hint of deeper, darker, sweetness more raisiny-molasses like. I know I sound like I am making no sense – but taking a whiff of it you think man this would be too sweet but taste it and it is a comfort type tea. I had mine with milk like I normally do (except Rooibos which I take black – let’s save that story for another day) and yes I added sugar because I really wanted to taste that richer sweet taste and wanted more than the subtle sweetness it delivered. Definitely a tea I could enjoy with my family. Yes, my kids are getting interested in tea time too.
Ouchless Goody brush(and bands)
I have 2 girls. There is hair. There is a lot of hair. Just check my vacuum if you don’t trust me. I had to cut each of my girls hair by 3 months, yes it grows fast. So fast in fact I have a prepaid set of coupons I purchased to afford those haircuts. Since they wanted to grow it, we finally caved in and let them grow it. Since I like hair being kept neat (well my kids – mine is another story) it means we suffer a lot of “ows” and “oohs” as I try to braid it. Normally my unsympathetic attitude is “suck it up” but I do recall those days when my mom did the same for me. Of course hair bands have come a long way since then and luckily for my daughters I managed to spy the “ouch-less” selection of products by Goody. Not only do they have these fabulous bands that don’t have those metal clasps but also a wonderful brush that weirdly enough minimizes yanking at the hair.
Llama Llama Home With Mama
If you have younger kids and have not heard of the Llama Llama series of books you would indeed be accused of living under a rock. Llama Llama Home With Mama was released on August 23 and unlike many of other popular books which somehow lose their lustre with subsequent series, I have not seen that happen just yet. Whether this is because each book is so different in its own right or whether it still keeps so much heart in it. Not only that, I love that as a mama it is clear that Anna Dewdney, the author, clearly recalls the stages of kids at this age. I still remember her book about the llama being angry at shopping in another book and it fit my kiddo to the T, in fact she kinda looked embarrassed as I read that to her.
We all recall too easily days our kids are sick, that may be because there are so many of them. I love that here the focus is not only of Llama being sick but mama too. Since I normally kiss my kid’s booboos better, it always takes me by surprise when I stub my toe how quick my kids are to kiss my toes better. As a mama it warms my heart to see kids act selfless and I love that this book shows how focusing on each other mama and llama feel better.
The Lion King in 3D
I know movies are further from your mind now but seriously if you are like me and feel like you need some make-up time for fun since it flew past, then feel free to use weekends for mini fun activities too. I was a huge fan of The Lion King. The fact that I saw it in South Africa on the big screen and hearing at the time that it was the first Disney movie also dubbed in Zulu obviously made it a movie close to my heart. Hubby has always loved it too, though we never saw it together or on DVD. My girls had never watched the movie and we were keen for them to watch it. When we were invited to a screening to watch it in 3D we were ecstatic. Imagine the same adventure – but now feeling closer to the action. Not only did the movie bring back memories it created new ones.
The same story full of heart and capturing the responsibility of the being “king of the jungle” but with the scintillating music we all know and love. The movie hits the theater for a limited 2 weeks and then gets released in October on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Now how about one lucky Mommy Niri reader win some of these amazing items?
Want to win a these Back To School items?
Llama plush toy
The book
Ouchless brush and Ouchless bands
The Help – Caramel Cake Tea
SCRABBLE ALPHABET SCOOP Game
Approximate value of prize $86!!!
To win tell me why would you love this prize package! Note one winner will win all of these. Winner chose by random.org. USA only.
To earn extra entries, after you have left a comment, do one of the following, but make sure you leave a separate comment entry for each extra thing you do (please DO NOT leave your email address within the comment!!!).
These give you additional ways to enter the contest but are optional entries. Contest closes 6th September 2011.
- Subscribe to Mommy Niri (and verify the subscription to be valid) and leave a separate comment that you did. Already a subscriber (thank you) then leave a comment stating you are.
- Tweet it using the green Tweet button above. Then leave a comment you did.
- Fans of the Mommy Niri Facebook Page get an additional entry. If you are already a part of it leave a comment below.
Don’t forget to visit out other fabulous giveaways on MommyNiri.com
Disclosure: I received these products to review and was invited to a screening of the movie.
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I would love to win all these great prizes because my girls would LOVE them all!
email subscriber
I tweeted by using the tweet button @zombiesugarpie
I like Mommy Niri on facebook
What a great prize pack! I think the scrabble soup game would be great with all of my girls (ages 6-15) as the little one is reading and spelling, and the bigger ones like to play “words with friends” basically scrabble. We also have a lot of hair with myself and 4 daughters! Hope I win!
I am a subscriber via email.
I tweeted about this giveaway. I’m @CorinaS
I am a fan of Mommy Niri on Facebook.
This would be great. We live in CT and are going into day 3 without power and no end in sight! Just realized we need some new games to keep the kids occupied. And with a little girl you can never have enough hair products or books!
I subscribe to your emails
Im a fan on Facebook
I tweeted
i would love to win this because there is something for everyone in my family in this prize pack!
i subscribe to your email
i like you on facebook!
i tweeted / at xxkimhcxx
tweeted!
oh wow – something for all three of my kids to keep them occupied while this tired mama fights cancer
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I would love to win because all these prizes look great and could definitely use them.
I subscribe via email.
I’m a Facebook fan.
I tweeted
I like it because it is a nice, well-rounded prize pack. I Llama book and Caramel Cake Tea are my favorite prizes.
Im an email subscriber.
I am a FB friend (Priceless Writers).
I love the Llama Llama books. I can’t wait to read this newest one.
MY GRANDCHILREN WOULD LOVE THESE ITEMS (EXCEPT THE TEA) AND GRANNY WOULD LOVE THE TEA
E-MAIL SUBSCRIBER
LIKE MOMMY NIRI ON FACEBOOK
great collection of prizes! I’d love to win this because I ALWAYS find myself in need of hair ties & such… and, well folks… at the rate this year has flown by… it’ll be that gift-giving time before we know it!
http://twitter.com/#!/tawndam/status/108553916609859584
Tawnda M likes the Mommy Niri Facebook Page
you betcha I would love to win.. our new reader would enjoy reading a book to her little brother while he cuddles up with a Llama, she and big sis can use more head gear for school pictures, and we can all kick back and enjoy watching the Lion King or playing the awesome games,while I sit back and enjoy a nice cup of tea on family nights.
already a subscriber
Facebook Fan-Gumma Medlin
tweet-http://twitter.com/#!/gummasplace/status/108574843225636864
So hard to believe it is school time already!! I would love to win this prize pack since my both of my boys will be starting all day kindergarten next week. It would give us some much needed “mommy and boys” time when they come home!!
I already subscribe to your blog via email. That’s how I found out about the giveaway!
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/mkopp1/status/108643065668968449
“Liked” you on Facebook
I would love to win these for my kids who are back in school mode, and enjoy rewards for their hard work.
http://twitter.com/#!/mnsteph/status/108653734892011520
would like to win it for my kid, she loves this stuff
I would love to win this because everything in it looks so useful and that mix looks so tasty!
I love it because I am a huge lion king fan.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
I would love to win this prize because we use “llama” as a term of endearment in our family, and therefore we love the Llama Llama books!
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/lprice79/status/108689811262537729
I am a facebook fan.
its a great prize for someone like me that has 6 children
subscriber
facebook like you
https://twitter.com/#!/cneiding/status/108751646514872320 tweet
I like you on Facebook and would love to win this for my sister who is scared to start school! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Renee Walters
bored2quickly@hotmail.com
I am entering this giveaway mostly for the tea. I am a huge tea lover and your description is making want that tea. Next that Scrabble game looks awesome! You always have the best giveaways!
i love scrabble and want to try that scrabble game
I’d love this because like you, I have a daughter who has hair that grows overnight!!!! I’d like the tea for myself (for the mommy time -lol) and the book, Scrabble and toy so that our family can have some good times
)
I’d love to win this package because it has things I can share with my grandson, both now and in the future…plus it has something for me…and tea! Thanks for the chance!
I subscribed/confirmed via email.
I shared on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/AsTheNight/status/108995089459724288.
I already like Mommy Niri on Facebook.
I would love this prize package because it has several pieces that would be perfect for gifts for my family,,I have 6 kids an 8grandchildren
Subscribe to Mommy Niri via email
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http://twitter.com/#!/vickiecouturier/status/109022060633788416
Fan of the Mommy Niri Facebook Page
I would love to win because my son would adore the stuffed animal and the book at bedtime and my god-daughter would love the hair goodies!!
Already a Facebook follower! (Angella F)
Already an email subscriber!
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/WINitAJ/status/109099539830554624
I would like to win because these are great prizes!!
WOW so cool!! I’d love to win to gift to my Godson! I’d gift part of it to his little sister also.
Thank you for the chance to win!
current email subscriber
Current facebook fan
Joey J.
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/JoeyfromSC/status/109367120936189953
I want to win because all of the products are fun and useful
brittneydejajason at gmail dot com
fb fan (brittney p)
brittneydejajason at gmail dot com
I want this because 1) that plush llama is so cute 2) I read that book in the store the other day and thought it was great 3) my daughter complains about my brushing her hair so hopefully the ouchless products would help 4) I love tea, and 5) you can’t go wrong with an alphabet game!
What a nice giveaway! There is something for everyone in my family in it
I would like to win b/c I would love a copy of Llama Llama home with Mama for my little one (and the stuffed toy).
subscribe via email
https://twitter.com/#!/kelleylk/status/109753321941766144
I would love to win these items. My grand daughter is starting preschool and she would love, love these items.
I’m already a subscriber.
I’m already a fan on FB
I would love to win because the llama is so cute!
Would love to win as all the prizes are great!
I would love to win because all the prizes are fantastic, but in particular the game looks like something the whole family would enjoy, and we go through hair elastics like nobody’s busines
blue65829 at aol dot com
The tea sounds fantastic and my daughter would love the doll and book!
would love to win this to share with my nephew and his growing family
i love this prize package b/c all of the things provide comfort! “soup”, a soft stuffed toy, ouchless brush, and cake!
because I love the llama toy
I would love to win this prize pack because we are always reading and playing games.
I would love to win because my nieces love the Llama Llama books, I always need new hairbands (where *do* they go?), I drink tea all the time, and I adore word games!
what a great prize pack! I would love to win this to put it away for Christmas! thanks for the chance
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/shuggysmommy/status/110370369130606592
I would love to win this prize pack because it has a little something for everyone. The kids would love it and so would I.
Confirmed Email subscriber.
If I won these my kids would think I was the greatest!
I think some of these things would just be delightful to give to my best friend…we have a very long running joke about Llamas
I am a Fan of the Mommy Niri Facebook Page (@emmy coffee)
I would love to win this prize package because it would be a great gift for my friend’s daughters.
http://twitter.com/#!/sarohioan/status/110461380473266176
This would be perfect for some family bonding
Would love to win the Help.
I would love to win because they are great prizes…we especially love reading books and playing games. Thanks for the chance!
I would love to win this because this has a prize for everyone in my family to enjoy.
ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com
Email subscriber
I am a FB fan = christine w
Tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/justicecw/status/110561433502236672
Tweeted about this giveaway
http://twitter.com/#!/BriellePrincess/status/110561511134605312
ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com
Fan of the Mommy Niri Facebook Page (Gina Ferrell)
ginaferrell3 at yahoo dot com
I am subscribed via email.
I am a fan via Facebook as Jill Myrick.
I would love to win because all of these items would be a great surprise for my kids!
email subscriber.
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/pauline15/status/110780896042422272
I’m a facebook fan (pauline1501)
I would love to win because all of the items are great. My whole family would enjoy scrabble scoop. I could use the hairbows and brush. My nephew would like the book and llama toy and my mom would like the Help: Caramel cake tea. Thanks for the chance at it.
supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com
This is a great set with some necessary (ouchless bands!) and fun (games!) for this hectic back-to-school time!
I would like the whole thing but the lion king is awesome!
BendoppSW@gmail.com
would love to win these because my niece would love them
subscribed to mommy niri
tweeted
fan of mommy niri on facebook
I would love to win this for my little grandson. He is starting pre K.
Thanks for the giveaway!
eswright18 at gmail dot com
I like you on FB (Ellie W)
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/eswright18/status/110842477983961088
i would love to win this for family game night!
cmarquez482(at)ymail(dot)com
I would love to win this because with 4 kids, there is something in this prize pack that each of them would love ! SweepsGirl@aol.com
Subscribed and verified. SweepsGirl@aol.com
my daughter would love this!
Would love to win it for my daughter!
Like you on FB as Courtney Gunnells-Conner
I would love to win this giveaway because all of the prizes are AWESOME!! My daughter LOVES Llama, Llama books and Scrabble! We can always use a brush and pony tail holders, it’s amazing how those darn things disappear! Caramel Cake Tea– sounds yummy! Thanks for having this super-wonderful giveaway! My fingers are crossed!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT ner
email subscriber
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT ner
I Tweeted
@NancyeDavis
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FB Fan
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It would make going back to school fun!
This prize pack would be great because I have 3 girls in elementary school.
I recieve your emails
I follow Mommyniri on facebook
I have even met you several times.
I would love to win these, my boys would love them.
I am a subscriber
we met you and your family at a bowling alley once, and you had the lane right next to ours… It’s a small world…
My kindergartener would be so happy to know he won something, he’s a little nervous going to school…
I would like to win this giveaway because there are items that my daughter and Iwould both enjoy
I would like to win because there is something in the prize pack that everyone in the family will enjoy, plus the llama is cute
I’m a email subscriber.
I Tweeted- http://twitter.com/#!/ksh123/status/110923560935112704
Who wouldn’t want to win this? There’s a little bit of something for everyone!
Tweeted @MRSMEIER5627:
http://twitter.com/#!/MRSMEIER5627/status/110949838916567040
Like Mommy Niri on Facebook- Kimberley Rose Meier
I would love to win this prize package because I work in an elementary school and it would be really fun to share out these prizes among different teachers, who could use them in their classrooms.
My daughter would love this!
id love to win this for my niece its an awesome prize and she would love it
like you on facebook kathy l pease
http://twitter.com/#!/klp1965/status/111145470688100352
I would love to win this for my niece! She would love this!
its got something for everyone
I would love to win b/c my girls would enjoy the game and the hair things and my son would like the toy and I would like the tea.
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
My little grandson loves the Llama books so I would like to win this for him.
I’m an e-mail subscriber.
I ‘like’ Mommy Niri on Facebook.
I’d like to win because my little girl would love all of the gifts!
I would love to win this for my kids who would love all these things and because theres a little help for me lol
email subscriber
My friend Jilly would love the Caramel Cake tea!
All the prizes are fantastic but I especially love the Alphabet Scoop game. I am becoming a teacher and I can see this being an awesome game to use in the classroom! I also am in love with the llama llama plush, so cute! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m an email subscriber, thanks!
nice for my neice newphew ty.
my whole family would enjoy these great gifts together! thanks clallen at ntin dot net
new fb fan crystal l allen, clallen at ntin dot net
rt clallen at ntin dot net
http://twitter.com/#!/clallen1971/status/111292275782467584
I would love to win the prize because my three girls would love the ouchless brush and I would love the caramel cake!