Celebrating my 100th Post {with giveaways+coupon codes!} !

::Blows Horn and Throws Confetti:: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephpetepickle/ / CC BY 2.0

Welcome to my 100th post!

I was trying to think of what I wanted to do for my 100th post. I had a few things in mind but I really wanted it to be special. That is when I came up with the idea - why not give back to you guys?!

So, what I have planned for my 100th post today is all for you. Ive got 2 amazing giveaways and a coupon code specific for this site - all for my favourite things. They are products that I have reviewed in the past so I absolutely LOVE them and know you will too.

Here is what I've got for you --

 
Kinnikinnick is offering 2 of my readers a gift basket of their amazing products ($35-40 value). For more information and to enter the giveaway click here.

Readeo is offering 1 of my readers a 3 month Membership ($30 value) to access their incredible book library.  For more information and to enter the giveaway click here.

 
Moby Wrap  is offering an exclusive to Accustomed Chaos discount code for 15% off anything on their website. For more information and the code click here.

So there you have it my amazing friends. What better way to celebrate making it to 100 posts then to give back you all of you!  HUGE thank you's to Kinnikinnick, Readeo and Moby Wrap for helping me celebrate this blog milestone!

Would Love to Hear From You! Please Feel Free to Leave a Comment Below

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Readeo 3 Month Member Subscription Giveaway

I had the pleasure of reviewing Readeo's service a few months ago and really fell in love. This product is so great for nurturing a reading relationship with family members - even if they are not in the same house, town or even country.

In celebration of my 100th blog post Readeo has generously offered 1 of my readers a 3 month Member Subscription!  

How to Enter The Readeo 3 Month Membership Subscription Giveaway:

** Required Entry: Head over to Readeo's website and come back here and in the comments tell me which book you would love to read.  Please leave a valid email address in your comment **

Extra Entries: (You must leave a separate comment for each extra entry to count and extra entries won’t count unless the required entry is done)

1. Follow Accustomed Chaos blog publicly via google friend connect  (1 entry)
2. Follow Readeo on Twitter here. (1 entry)
3. Become a Fan of  Accustomed Chaos on Facebook here and leave me your FB name. (1 entry)
4. Tweet this giveaway! Just copy/paste the following: @Readeo #giveaway Enter 2 win 3mo subscription (valued at $30) & read 2 ur kids from anywhere! http://bit.ly/bcvW3x @AccustomedChaos Pls RT (1 entry per daily tweet)

Giveaway Rules:
This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US. It begins on May 3, 2010 and will end on May 17 2010 at 9 pm. One winner with valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. The winner will be announced and must respond with a current email address within 48 hours to claim. Otherwise, another eligible entry will be chosen. The more extra entries you do the better your chances. Good Luck!

** We Have a Winner **

Thank you for those who entered and helped make my 100th post a great one! A special thank you to Readeo for supplying one of my readers with this great prize!


The winner has been contacted via email

Would Love to Hear From You! Please Feel Free to Leave a Comment Below

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Product Review: Readeo {plus coupon code}

Readeo: Connecting Page By Page

I was contacted by Readeo to do a review on their service and I was excited to check it out. Sounded like a great service and my kids right now are SO into books I was interested to see what they would think.

Readeo is a patent-pending product that combines the best children’s books with high-quality video chat to create a shared reading experience called BookChat^TM where people can see, hear, read and interact with grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and others—just as you would if you were in the same room. Readeo allows families to connect and interact in a meaningful way—even when they may be far apart.

Book Review: Disney's Handy Manny Preschool Skills

We have never watched Handy Manny before (it's on the Disney Channel) but my 4 year old received this book as a gift and he loves all things 'boys' so that was no problem for him.  

Product Review: Little Tikes PopTunes Big Rocker Keyboard

My youngest (turning One in February 2010) was given this product as a Christmas gift this year and as a lover of all things that make noise I was interested to see what she would think.

Well, the Little Tikes Pop Tunes Big Rocker Keyboard was an INSTANT hit with her. She opened it up and beamed with excitement upon hearing the first sound.  The big key would be how quickly I would get annoyed with the noise making toy and ban it to the basement...



Product Details:

• Plays songs to get kids moving with music that parents can appreciate.
• Helps develop music appreciation.
• Includes flashing lights that pulse to the beat!
• Play existing songs or freestyle.
• Plays 5 kid-friendly versions of famous songs.
• Popular songs include:
• "ABC" by The Jackson 5
• "Love Shack" by The B-52's
• "Hot Hot Hot" by Buster Poindexter
• "Allstar" by Smashmouth
• "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks
• Requires 3 "AA" alkaline batteries (included)

 What I Loved About This Product:

• Compact size that fits perfectly in my child's lap
• Entertaining even for my other children (4 and 3yrs old)
• Good volume level: Has a volume control as well
• Easy to hit keys
• Great 'un-traditional' songs - so I dont have to listen to the same lullaby sings over again 
• Strongly build and has been dropped and thrown and is still in perfect condition 

What I Would Have Changed:

• The black keys don't make any sound and I would have liked if they did
• I find the flashing lights to be quite distracting with the rotation of colours

Overall, this product is a great starter keyboard.  We have had it since the end of December and it has yet to be banished to the basement with the toys that quickly get on my nerves.  My daughter still plays with it through out the day and will always dance to each noise. 

What's your experience with this toy?

Product Review: Leap Frog Fridge Phonics® Magnetic Alphabet Set

With my oldest starting kindergarten this coming September I have made it my focus right now to teach the alphabet (in English before he goes to a French Immersion program).  With him I have found that he learns the best when he is saturated with one thing at once - only focusing on one main subject.  He learned his colors and numbers quite quickly that way.

The alphabet is a bit more complicated though being 26 different letters to remember plus the sounds they make.  I was using flash cards and singing - but needed something else to help along.

That's when I found the Leap Frog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet Set. My kids are ALWAYS in the kitchen - making it difficult to maneuver around when I am cooking - so this will be working for me in 2 ways with one toy - keeping them entertained while I cook and helping with the alphabet!



Product Details:

• Help reading skills rise and shine with this magnetic letter set! Introduces children to letter names and sounds
• Features big, bright letters that are easy for little fingers to grasp to help develop fine motor skills.
• Sing along to the Alphabet Song.
• Playful phonics songs help children remember the sound each letter makes.
• Includes magnetic letter reader, 26 magnetic letters, and 3 AAA batteries

Why I LOVE the Fridge Phonics® Magnetic Alphabet Set:

• Has separate pieces for each letter
• Goes over the different sounds that each letter can make
• Pieces are big enough for my kids to grip, but small enough to not take over the fridge
• Catchy songs (and not in an annoying way!)

What Would Have Made Me Love It More:

• If it was bilingual (like some other Leap Frog Products) 
• If it had a bigger volume control range (the quiet is still loud)
• If it came with a case or box to keep letters together if you don't want them all on the fridge at once

I am so impressed with the speed at which my son and older daughter have picked up on the alphabet since picking up this toy as a Christmas gift.  We love to hang out in the kitchen and dance to the alphabet song and to sort out the sounds of each letter. 


For anyone trying to teach the alphabet and want to make it as pain-free and fun as possible - this is a GREAT addition to the learning arsenal!

What is your experience with this toy or other Leap Frog products?