GIVEAWAY! Win a KIDZ BOP Halloween Hits CD
Just in time for Halloween, you can win a KIDZ BOP Halloween Hits CD!
The “Truly Terrifying Tracklist” includes “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” “Monster Mash” and more.
“Witch Doctor” will help your kids get their silly on, and “I Want Candy” is so appropriate for when they dump out their candy on the living room floor.
If you would like a chance at winning a free copy of this CD, just email me at LLynn@opubco.com, and I will draw a name at random on Oct. 24.
Please include your name and mailing address, as well as a contact phone number.
–Linda Lynn
Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch
GIVEAWAY: Old-fashioned doll will inspire creativity
I am honored to partner with Once Upon A Treehouse to give away a doll to one of my lucky blog readers.
The little ballerina doll arrived in a sheer pink drawstring bag. So cute!
With a hand-painted face and standing at about 4 inches tall, “Buttercup” was adorable. A tiny bow attached to a rick-a-rack headband nestled in her blond hair, pink Mary Jane shoes, white leggings, a pink dance dress secured with a pink ribbon … ready for little hands to begin playing and imagining a world of tutus.
Once Upon A Treehouse includes handmade traditional wooden dolls and accessories. Sisters, “Mommies” and business owners Lori Schoeneman and Tara Schoeneman-Brown use natural materials – wool, cotton and wood – to create these charming character dolls as well as dollhouses, furniture, clothing and accessories.
When the sisters were young, they played with a wooden dollhouse built by their grandfather. As they had their own families, they wanted to start a company that would provide the same inspiration for imagination they had been given as children.
So, Once Upon A Treehouse was born in 2011 with a variety of doll-related products.
But, it’s not just the gift you give your child that can make you feel good about buying a doll from Once Upon A Treehouse.
Through their “Fairy DollMother Program,” for every doll bought, another doll is given to a child in need. Go here to read more about this program.
If you would like to win “Buttercup” for your child, grandchild or another child in your life, simply email me at LLynn@opubco.com with the name of your favorite doll or toy from your childhood. Please provide your name, contact information and your mailing address. The winner will be selected randomly, so it doesn’t matter which toy was your favorite. Deadline for entry is Oct. 22, 2012.
I had many dolls I liked – Thumbelina, Skipper, Barbie — but one of my most favorite was my Raggedy Ann doll handmade by my older sister, Betty. Raggedy Ann and I enjoyed many adventures through the years.
Your child might be able to enjoy the Once Upon A Treehouse doll soon and start their own adventures in make-believe.
– Linda Lynn
Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch
Lights up! Sound down. Action! – Sensory Friendly Films help enhance family movie experience
Cade was 2 months old when he, my two girls and I went to his first movie.
My plan after Cade’s birth was to be able to spend some quality family time with all my children during maternity leave. However, after Cade was born with Down Syndrome, severe jaundice and erratic blood counts, he and I spent a lot of time going to and from the hospital and doctor’s visits the first two months.
That first movie was the most calm experience, with Cade sleeping most of the time and not making a sound. Thankfully, my daughters and I were able to enjoy going to the movies and reclaim a little normalcy.
But that was the last time we were able to do that type of activity with Cade.
As he got a little older, he would cry continuously if a room became unexpectedly dark or sounds were loud. Car rides at night were not pleasant, and movies were completely out of the question.
When Cade was 6, my youngest daughter and I took him to see a children’s movie. Everything seemed fine … until the lights dimmed and the previews started. Why oh why did they have a loud and scary preview?
I stepped to the hallway, calmed him, and he fell asleep, probably from the stress of the moment. We were able to watch the rest of the movie peacefully, at least until he woke up in the last 5 minutes of the movie.
Out of respect for other moviegoers and for Cade’s (and our) sake, we haven’t tried this again.
But is there hope, perhaps? While Googling for area attractions and shopping in Arlington, TX, I discovered one of the movie theaters has “Sensory Friendly Films” where the lights are on, the sound is turned down and the audience can move about. The website states this environment was created in partnership with the Autism Society, but this also can be beneficial to other special needs children.
Imagine my excitement that these types of needs are being recognized and a business is providing families with access to entertainment that otherwise would be clearly difficult to enjoy together as a family.
Continuing my search, I discovered “Sensory Friendly Films” are also available at these Oklahoma locations:
- Quail Springs 24
- Crossroads 16
Click here for the website that tells more about locations nationwide participating in this program. However, be sure and contact individual theaters to confirm time and dates, since they are subject to change.
My only wish now is that this program will be expanded beyond once a month.
It’s definitely something my son and I will plan to attend.
– Linda Lynn
Follow me on Twitter @OKNewsResearch
