Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

MyFairyTaleBooks.com is a site that sells all sorts of cute books personalized with the child’s name, hometown, and other special additions that make the child the star of their own story!

They sent me a copy of “The Cottontail Mystery” for review, it is a darling book all about the Easter Bunny.   You can CLICK HERE to read the story!  I read it to Emma the first night we received it and she was grinning from ear to ear the entire book.   Not only because the story is about a big, cuddly cottontail bunny but because her name was on every page, along with the city she lives in, and her sister’s name also made an appearance too!

She looked up at me, like HOW DO THEY KNOW!?

This paperback book is only $10.95 right now and includes a dedication page.   Perfect gift to include in your Easter baskets this year. And, click here to include this special Easter idea too!

Hooray!  It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

MyFairyTaleBooks.com is giving away one copy of  The Cottontail Mystery to one lucky reader!  To enter, please do the following:

1. Comment with your favorite book on their website – 1 ENTRY
2. Become a MyFairyTale Books Facebook fan – 1 ENTRY
3. Become a Tiny Oranges Facebook fan – 1 ENTRY
4. Follow @TinyOranges OC on Twitter – 1 ENTRY
5. Subscribe to Tiny Oranges (top right column) – 1 ENTRY

Giveaway will run this entire week, have your comments in by 12pm PST on 3/11/10.  Good luck!

{I was sent a free copy of The Cottontail Mystery for review for this post}

If you are looking for a different sort of DVD to get your kids this Christmas, you should definitely check out Quiet Time Tales, a new, mellow form of entertainment for your little ones!

There are lots of times during the day when I literally want to pull my hair out because of all the NOISE.  The bells and whistles on all the toys and busy TV shows sometimes drive me nuts!   I have been known to walk around and turn everything OFF periodically so we can momentarily exist without noise pollution.  That’s why I thought this DVD series was SO COOL.

They contacted me back before the OC Children’s Book Festival and sent me a copy to check out.  I was so impressed I signed on with their affiliate program because I think your kids will love it too!

It is a collection of stories read by Grandpa Read, a cuddly-looking Mr. Rogers-esque sort of grandpa, sitting in a rocking chair.  His voice is very mellow and soothing – a really great storyteller.

Although the DVD includes intermittent illustrations, it is really storytelling at is purest, thus forcing kids to use their little imaginations to picture the classic tale.   This is unique in today’s world, and the part I loved the most.

It’s a great DVD to put in when your kids need a little “down time.”   Shhhh….it’s Quiet Time….FINALLY!

Hooray!  It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

One lucky winner will win the 1st 4 DVDs in the series of 12 (Collection 1: Volumes 1 – 4)!  To enter, simply leave a comment below.  Tell me, which classic story from this collection would your kids like to hear Grandpa Read tell?

Hint: visit the store on the website to find out which stories on are the DVDs!  You can enter as many times as you would like.

Mention in your comment to “add me to the Quiet Times e-newsletter” and get an extra entry!  You only have to mention this once (one extra entry per person permitted.)

All comments have to be in by 12pm PST on 12/16.  I will post the winner next Thursday! Good luck and happy weekend everyone!

Congratulations!  The winner of the Taut Canvas giveaway (as chosen by random.org) is… Genevieve!!!!!!

Frecklebox, my absolute favorite online shop for personalized gifts, is making wishes come true this holiday season.  Place your order between now and December 25th, 09 and they will donate 10% of the proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation AND discount your order 10% for helping to contribute to this worthy cause!  ENTER PROMO CODE WISH10 UPON CHECKOUT!  What a great way to stock up on darling holiday gifts, save money and contribute to helping someone’s wish come true. 

Here are some cute ideas for holiday gifts (click on the image for more info!):

These cute growth charts come in all different styles and colors and are personalized with the child’s name.  Perfect gift for parents with a new baby or a toddler.  It is so fun to mark just how fast the little kiddos grow. A forever keepsake.

They have a huge selection of personalized books with stories incorporating the child’s name.  There is nothing more fun for a kid than reading a story featuring YOUR name!

The personalized coloring books make for a fun activity for your own little princess!

Their personalized lunch boxes are sure to be a hit on the school yard!

So much fun to return to school with a fresh, new personalized notebook!

…and shop many more fun gifts including

Stickers * Party Favors * Place Mats

* Posters * Journals * Clipboards

www.frecklebox.com

Happy Friday everyone!  You still have time to enter Monday’s giveaway to win a free private pilates session!  Click here for details!

Have a fabulous weekend!

My 3 year 3 month “baby” is starting preschool on Monday.  I can’t believe it!   One of my girlfriends got Emma this Change is Strange book for her birthday called “My First Day of School.”   It has been a big help in preparing her for the big day!

The book follows Charlie (a fun, whimsical alienlike creature) as she gets ready for her first day of school.  Since Charlie is an alien, you can make “it” a boy or a girl!   In our house, Charlie is a girl.  It answers all her questions and addresses her apprehensions about starting school in a fun (yet still informative) way!  

I went to the website and found more great books on situations of change…new baby, moving, letting go of the pacifier, etc.  You can even personalize the books with the child’s name!

Change is strange for this mom too.  I even have some butterflies about her starting school!    I hope that the transition goes fairly smoothly.  However,  I am prepared for some push back and tears.   Maybe she will surprise me.  She has done so before! 

If anyone has any tips on making a smooth transition into preschool, please comment below.  I am taking any and all advice I can from you mommies that have done this before!

Have a great weekend everyone!   For those of you with kids that started school this week – I hope it went well and you are finding your back-to-school groove!  See you Monday (wish us luck on the big day!)  xo Jen

  
For those of you who missed my previous post on Frecklebox, this company has just about the cutest personalized gifts ever!  Special books, growth charts, stickers, puzzles, placemats and more.

From now through June 5th, 2009, you can save 20% off your entire order using the coupon code “FBSUMMER.”

Click here to see all their cute products and stock up on gifts for the summer!  

Speaking of summer, you still have time to enter the Dippin’ Dots Ice Cream giveaway from Monday.  Check the post for details on how to enter and get your emails in before 5PM PST today!   Have a great weekend everyone! ! !