Adventures of a Young Boy Growing Up on the Island of Gotland, Sweden in the 1930’s and 1940’s

Hey y’all! I just think you can’t go wrong with this one - especially if you have a young child for which you need to buy a gift. Although, I would love to have this for myself. So, yes, this one is on my want list! The company that brings you this great audio/video book is Burre’s Adventures, Inc. I met the President of this company, Patricia Dahlin, at a local networking event here in Reno. These are the adventures of her husband, Erik, whose nickname was Burre. Erik passed away in June of 2004 of colon cancer and this had been an ongoing project of his since the early 1990’s. The narration of the stories is available in English and Swedish (on the same DVD) and was translated and recorded by Erik’s nephew, Peter Dahlin. The stories are accompanied by Burre’s artwork relating the stories. Erik’s wishes were that the proceeds be donated for cancer research and other worthy causes; mostly for children. There are 7 DVD volumes that describe Burre’s adventures until he left the island as a young man. The DVD series is available for fundraisers also. This sounds so interesting to me and I hope y’all check out the website. Happy reading!

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Children’s Picture Book Teaches How To Create Happiness - The Secret of the Wizard’s Wand

Hey there! This one’s not on my want list ’cause I already bought it!! The Secret of the Wizard’s Wand is a powerful moving book written by Terry Lowey, a marriage and family therapist in Reno, Nevada. I had the honor and pleasure to have tea with Terry a few weeks ago. I believe she has hit the nail smack dab on the head with the theory of this book. I strive almost daily to remind myself of the message contained in this book; so, it is refreshing to see the message written at a child’s level with such beautiful, captivating and colorful illustrations.

The following is from the website: “Mastering both mind and heart from the earliest of ages will maximize positive experiences and life potentials. Developed with the knowledge from thousands of hours spent working with children and parents, The Secret of the Wizard’s Wand is a fundamental lesson for emotional health and a guide to happiness.  The child learns to shift his mood by gently shifting his thoughts.” The book also includes valuable information for parents and stimulating questions to ask your child. The cost is $18.95 and can be purchased through the website.

Terry will actually be visiting my daughter’s 1st grade class some time in January 2008 to read the book to them and have a discussion time about it. The teachers and I are very excited about that! If you are in the local Reno area, Terry is available to speak at events for parents, teachers and guardians. This book would be a perfect gift for any child or parent and especially a child in your life who is not experiencing life as we all should - Being Happy!

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FAA Approved Safety Restraint System for Young Children - Alternative to lugging that big ole car seat on the airplane

Hey y’all! Okay - for those of you who have young children, how many of you (me included) like to lug those gosh darn big car seats onto the airplane? I know I always dreaded having to squeeze down that narrow path with 1 or 2 kids in tow (or carrying one at that) plus all the junk you have to take to entertain them with AND the lovely car seat. And then there’s the fun of installing the thing once you’ve already started sweatin’ like a pig and you have the whole rest of the airplane wanting to get by you and your big mess!

Well, about a year ago I came across the ONLY FAA approved restraint system for young children weighing 22-44 pounds. You better believe I jumped on buying that sucker! It costs $74.95 and it is very much worth every penny! I have used it twice with my son. I was flying alone with the kids and it was such a relief to not have to worry about how I was going to carry them, all of our stuff AND a car seat onto the airplane. The company is called CARES\’aa - Kid’s Fly Safe and you can click here to visit the website. Cares weighs 1 pound and fits inside of a 6 inch stuff sack. The devise was invented by a grandmother of nine, Louise Stoll, after watching her pregnant daughter struggle off an airplane with a baby, car seat and diaper bag. What an imaginative creative lady!!! I am so grateful she tackled this issue! Oh, and if you need your car seat at the other end of your trip - just check it through as luggage.

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Eco-friendly lunch bags, treat bags and/or gift bags

Hey y’all! It’s time for our first unleashed tip. This one’s about some awesome bags that can be used as lunch bags for kids of all ages as well as adult brown baggers, gift bags or treat bags. The idea and bags come from Kristi Thomas, a mom in Akron, Ohio, and the company is called Lunchology. These brown paper bags with original illustrations, inspirational quotes or fun facts educate, entertain and inspire. Lunchology bags are eco-friendly as they are made from recycled paper and printed with non-toxic soy-based ink.

I used these bags for my daughter’s 6th birthday party in her 1st grade class in September. I used the Halloween bags for my daughter’s 1st grade class Halloween party this past Wednesday and they were a hit. They are offered in several different themes; such as Birthday, Gross Out, Friends, Under the Sea, Inspirational and Holiday - just to name a few. They come 25 to a package and cost $4.99 through the Lunchology website and can also be purchased at some upscale grocery and gift stores. These would be great for birthday treat bags, lunch bags, gift bags, anytime you have a little something to gift to someone. Now I know everyone these days is using the insulated lunch bags for their kiddos; but, I put some of the lunch goodies inside the Lunchology bag and then put it inside of the insulated bag. And depending on how rough they are with the bag it can be used again. They are not only for kids lunches!! Use your imagination and get creative - attach your own whimsical handles to the bags and/or attach Swarovski crystals to the bags and use for gifting.

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Filed under Green Unleashed, Happiness Unleashed, Kid Stuff, Kitchens Unleashed, Recycling Unleashed | Comment (1)