My girls love to play games on the computer. I am always looking for educational games that are fun. You know the kind that actually teaches them something and they don’t even know it.

ItzaBitza incooperates my 5 year old’s love for drawing with learning. Compared to most games today it is a bit primative but I love it. Both my 4yo and my 5yo fight over who gets to play first. The cost of this game is very reasonable and it is a download. So no waiting for it in the mail.

Another wonderful concept of ItzaBitza is that this game can be played again and again. Unlike most games, once you have gone through it once you are done. Every game is new depending on what your child chooses to do.

Info from website: A fresh approach to educational software. New learning science and drawing technology combine to engage early readers and encourage creativity. ItzaBitza is the kids game where   your child’s “Oooh Aahh” meets “Aha!”.

ItzaBitza is a novel online game connects the dots between reading and drawing.

To give you a little background, ItzaBitza is the brainchild of momapreneur Margaret Johnson. Margaret is a great, zany lady who left an 18 year career at Microsoft to work on a passion project, her start-up Sabi Games (Microsoft became a backer). She created ItzaBitza in her basement with her daughter’s voice narrating. Though this was a passion project, Margaret made sure ItzaBitza had the educational goods to back it up. Disturbed by the violent, vapid online games for kids out there, Margaret wanted to create something truly novel and valuable. She enlisted the help of renowned University of Washington professor of education and psychology John Bransford, and the game spent several years in R&D. The recently-launched ItzaBitza is rooted in Bransford’s “How People Learn” framework. Best of all, ItzaBitza is actually fun! The premise of ItzaBitza is a series of five interactive worlds. In each world, a child must read the sentences to find out what his character, a “Sketchy” needs, then draw the object. Using uber-cool “Living Ink” technology, a child’s crude sketches animate into vivid night skies, buzzing tree houses, or playful leaping puppies. The art is so delightful, you child will barely notice as the sentences get increasingly difficult. Far away from dusty repetition and “See Jane Run” books, ItzaBitza is a slick, whimsical online learning game for kids that turns reading into a magical quest with endless possibilities.

You can get you own copy directly from their website – ItzaBitza - or you can purchase a boxed version from Amazon

Skin MD Giveaway winner is:

Sheila H. – comment #42

About Hoohobbers:

In the spring of 1981 a young urban couple discovered a problem…their 3-year-old daughter could not reach any table when dining out. After much searching they discovered there were no light-weight, kid-friendly booster seats on the market. With an advertising and entrepreneurial background this couple solved their own dilemma and a new children’s manufacturing company was born. Before the days of meaningless buzz words like Google and Yahoo, they dubbed their new business the fun and lively Hoohobbers.

Fast forward 30 years and you’ll find Hoohobbers to still be the same family-owned, value packed company with hundreds of product selections in over 30 design collections. The original junior director chair (and booster seat)

is still an ever popular gift for births, first birthdays, and beyond. The little three-year-old girl who inspired the creation of Hoohobbers in 1981 is now a Hoohobbers vice president. Along with her sister and parents this dynamic family still runs their very hands-on business.

 Hoohobbers has always been a “Made in America” company. This founding commitment underlays their business philosophy, which includes attributes like excellent customer service (a real person actually answers their phone!), designer fabrics, attention to detail, and the ability to customize and personalize almost everything they offer.

Hoohobbers sells their product line to high-end children’s retailers throughout the country and through their web site, Hoohobbers.com. Within the last year an increasingly well-known secret arrived in downtown Chicago. Hoohobbers moved their manufacturing facility to the Near North downtown area to allow for a retail boutique in the front of their factory. Chicagoans and visitors alike revel in the opportunity to shop, create custom designs, and watch the production of their order through the glass doors leading into the warehouse.

Hoohobbers is a true original and unique company, location, and family. IN a time when America is grasping towards hope, values, and country pride this well-established company is making it all new again.

About the product:

Ashley sent me the most adorable pink and white mesh rocking chair personalized with my 4yo’s name.

My first impression (honestly) was: ’This is it? There is not much to it. However, once I took it out and put it together I fell in love with it. This chair is very well made and it was so easy to put together. These chairs are 100% water-safe. There are no pointed tips and when put together they connect at the back. The fabric used is of adult strength and therefore very strong. No worries about your child breaking this item. This rocking chair also weighs next to nothing. My daughter carries it all over the house. These chairs come in 6 different colors – primary, denim, blue, pastel pink, hot pink and white.

 Hoohobbers also offers many other wonderful items that offer the same durability as the rocking chairs. Check out their toy boxes, tables, rocking horses and easels. Looking for something else? Hoohobbers also offers, crib bedding, dinnerware, moses baskets, diaper bags, infant rockers and more.

Please trust me when I say that you will not be disappointed when ordering from Hoohobbers. Anything purchased will most definitely be a treasured keepsake. The only flaw (so to speak) that I could find when reviewing the rocking chair and Hoohobbers was that some of their items are a bit pricey. However, with the quality that you are getting and in knowing that the item is not going to break the next day makes the price well worth it.  

Giveaway:

Hoohobbers has graciously give me the opportunity for one of you to win their very own rocking chair for someone special.

Main Entry:

Go to Hoohobbers, take a look around and then come back and comment on the item that you like AND what color/design that you like (you must follow this rule or all furthur entries will be void).

Extra Entries:

1. Subscribe to my updates – 2 entries

2. Favorite me in Technorati (button in network section on right) – 3 entries

3. Blog/Tweet about this giveaway (leave link) - 2 entries 

4. Grab my button (please leave link) – 2 entries

Giveaway ends Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 11:59 EST 

 One winner will be chosen randomly from all valid entries.

She creatively made herself into a unicorn all on her own

I want to go to Blogher 09 so bad I can taste it. I see lots or people around me getting to go and I would love to be able to meet some of my fellow bloggers that I take to everyday. It would be such an amazing experince.

I would love to be able to add this button to my blog:

I am looking for a sponsor to cover my conference fees, hotel room and a little pocket money since I will be driving and will need to park, etc.  If you are interested in providing a Blogher Sponsorship, please email me, toni(at)mud-bug(dot)com, and we can talk about what I can offer to you. I am desparate. I may cry (sniff, sniff).

Coming Soon!

Innovative new designs for boys, girls and babies – plus the return of four old favorites

 

Seattle, WA, January 2009 – Jump for joy! It’s time to think spring. See Kai Run, popular manufacturer of the perfect first shoe for new walkers, is focusing on fresh silhouettes and colorways for the upcoming spring/summer 2009 collection.

“Parents want to be excited about what they see on the shelves, which means we have to take some risks in offering fresh styles,” says founder Cause Haun. “We’re adding some metallics for boys this season with a gold, khaki, cream, and black trainer.”

More highlights include a sophisticated black sandal with a row of white polka dots that can be dressed up or paired with jeans, as well as a bottle green sandal for girls with yellow and leaf green accents. In all, See Kai Run will introduce 14 new styles in its first walker line, sized three through nine. And by popular demand, it will also bring back four styles from previous collections in a new line known as See Kai (re)Runs. The Smaller^® soft-soled baby bootie line sized from zero – 18 months will feature 17 new styles.

The new spring collection will be available for purchase at retailers, as well as online at www.seekairun.com beginning February 2009. Retail prices starts at $32. To view a sneak peek of the new line now, please see our Web site at http://www.seekairun.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?display=action&emptyoverride=yes&template=SKRTemplates/SKR/spring_09_collection_peek.html.

About See Kai Run

See Kai Run and Smaller promote healthy development of babies’ and children’s feet with their ultra-flexible soles, soft leather and wide toe box. Our footwear meets the American Podiatric Medical Association’s rigorous standards for foot health and functionality and has been awarded the APMA’s prestigious Seal of Acceptance.

See Kai Run is a family-owned and operated business located outside of Seattle, Washington. The idea was born when owner Cause Haun was on a quest for the perfect first pair of shoes for her son, Kai. Unable to find shoes in fun styles that still promoted the healthy development of little feet, Cause and her husband created their own line of shoes that satisfied all of these needs. In just four years, See Kai Run has seen sales expand from a few boutiques, mostly in the Seattle area, to stores all around the country and worldwide. Please visit www.seekairun.com for additional information.

Mindy from Music for Me and More send me two wonderful items – A personalized book and a personalized music CD – both for my little Mud Bug.

I was very impressed with the quality of both items. Some personalized books are just stickers strategcally placed throughout the book and the cd’s always sound so funny when the child’s name is spoken. Not the books and cd’s from Music for Me and More. Their books are printed (no stickers) with the child’s info and then put together very well (hey, it stood up to my kids, lol). When listening to the music it was so well blended that you can’t tell when the names was inserted. Children love hearing their names read to as well as they love to listen to their names in music. We were sent the You Are My Friend music cd and Little One, Little One, What Do You See? book.

The music cd is wonderful. You can actually hear your child’s name 98 times thoughout the cd. It tells the story of a child’s life throughout the day.

The book has rhyming and lots of counting. All 3 of my little ones love this book. I usually read it at least once a day (sometimes more). I think I know it by heart, lol. Your read the child’s name 29 times throughout the book and it also includes your hometown and the names of 3 family/friends..

My only fault that I can find is that I wish the cd came in a plastic case. Otherwise, pricing is good and quality is excellent. These would make great gifts for family and friends. So go and check out Music for Me and More today!

The jury is in: nuts are good for you! Below is a small detailed list of the benfits to help your health:

• Pumpkin Seeds: good for brain function & can help lower cholesterol & improve bladder function. Also, contain omega 3, zinc & vitamin K.
• Sunflower Seeds: Improves eyesight & can help lower high blood pressure, they are also a good diuretic & can help control allergic reactions. Contain minerals, potassium, vitamins E / B, linoleic acid & a large quantity of polyunsaturated oil.

• Almonds: Reduce the risk of heart disease & can help lower cholesterol & control diabetes. High in monounsaturated fats (the same as olive oil), vitamin E, magnesium & potassium.

Walnuts: Reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol. Contains higher amounts of omega 3 than other nuts. Rich in fibre, high in protein & contain vitamins B / E & magnesium. 

Pine Nuts: Can help alleviate muscle cramps, tension & fatigue. They also aid liver function & protect the heart. Contains more protein than other nuts & they are natures only source of pinoleic acid. They also contain high amounts of oleic acid, a helpful monounsaturated fat.

Pecan Nuts: Energy producing & can help guard against heart disease, parkinsons disease & cataracts. Contains iron, calcium, vitamins A / B / C / E, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, polyunsaturated fat & phosphorous. Best of all – they do not contain any cholesterol!

Well, you guessed it…my kids are sick again. My liitle guy has a set of ear infections that are so back the he had to have shots (1 in each leg) of Rocephin (antibiotic) twice last week (Tuesday and Thursday) and he was on a strong oral antibiotic as well. Today he is still batting at his ears. Per the pediatrician his ears were bulging, filled with puss and horribly inflamed. Then because of all the antibiotics he got a bad case of diarrhea that caused him to break open and get a bad rash on his bottom.

On Thursday my 5yo got her 6th set of ear infections (in the past 3.5 months). Yesterday my 4yo got her 4th set of ear infections. What was so bad is that it was her 4th birthday yesterday and we had to cancel her party. She was so bummed. We did have a little cake just for her. Check out the video to see my poor sick little baby with her cake.

The good news is all 3 have an appointment on Tuesday with an ENT to take about the alternatives. Wish us luck.

Got something you want to be seen? A special contest? A special post? Let us know about those special mom blogs (or dad blogs). Well, post your link (or someone else’s link) below for all to see. Please leave a link to the specifc post (not to the blog itself).