Read With Us: My August Book Pick

When it came time to choose my August Pick at the beginning of the month, I knew exactly which one I wanted to start digging into. This one actually came from a reader recommendation!

Over the last year, I’ve been working at slowly changing my lifestyle and weaning myself off depending on convenience foods and learning to make my own things. I’ve illustrated several of these things in my Conveniently At Home series and even through Freezer Cooking. Just doing these few little things has helped me on the path that I’m on.

I’ve slowly been switching us to foods from Sustainable Farms, joining a CSA and even starting my own bigger garden this year. With each step I take, I’m learning more about becoming a little bit more self-efficient, reducing our carbon footprint and supporting local farmers and businesses. So when one of my readers suggested that I pick up a copy of More-With-Less Cookbook (World Community Cookbook) it was a great find for me!

Overall, it’s a recipe book helping you learn how to make more things for yourself. But it also has a great introduction on how and why to make more things yourself.

And while making more things myself has become a little bit more time-consuming, I’m finding that it opens up a new door for things to do with my kids. There are several ways that I’m finding for them to help me safely in the kitchen. They are getting more excited about dinner and honestly, dinner time has become much more enjoyable as it’s now a group effort to create and enjoy. My son’s connecting that this food came from the garden he’s growing or from the farmer’s market that we visited, etc. I also grabbed a recent Groupon so my family can have a fun outing at a Pasta Class downtown Chicago. I can’t wait to learn how to make more of my own pasta recipes, as I only have knowledge of a few from a previous class I took with my sister!

I have much more to share with you on my discoveries, including a review on an insightful screening, but as a start, I wanted to share that this is my book pick for August. I also wanted to share that I’ve also been reading and using Simply in Season Expanded Edition (World Community Cookbook. I actually, just this week, used their Blueberry Raspberry Jam recipe for my first canning experience! (I’ll share more on that later!) The book is another recipe book that teaches you how to save money by using recipes for foods that are currently in season.

Remember, that I giveaway two copies of my book picks each month. I’ll be posting the giveaway for this one real soon—so stay tuned! I’m hoping that you’ll all check out one or both of these books and see if maybe you can add a few more homemade recipes to your menu plan and stretch your dollars by using more of what’s in-season.

Giveaway: $20 in Children’s Books on Amazon

As promised, it’s Wednesday and I am giving away children’s books (up to $20 to spend on children’s books on Amazon!) to two of my lucky readers. Each Wednesday through August, I’ll be doing this giveaway. It’s just my way of encouraging all of you to spend time each week reading with a child and sharing the love of books with them.

This week, I’ve been reading The Happy Man and His Dump Truck to my kids. This book has become one of their favorites. My son’s going through a big car/truck phase and my daughter is fascinated with animals. So it ends up working out for both of them with this book. The story goes on about a man in a dump truck giving a ride to a pig and his farm friends.

This is just one of the many books that we have been reading together this week.

How This Giveaway Works
There will be two winners. Each winner gets to spend up to $20 on Amazon selecting children’s books. The winners can pick more than one book, just as long as the total value is $20 or less. The items must be in stock and ship free with Amazon Prime. I thought it would be fun to let the winner’s pick their own books than to choose a specific book to giveaway each week. Since Amazon has the 4-for-3 promotion on a lot of their books, several of the past winners have been able to get 5-6 books for their kids when they win!

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

2) Subscribe to my email newsletter or RSS Feed and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already subscribed, thank you and make sure you leave a 2nd comment letting me know.

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Friday, August 6, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

170 Comments

8.2.10

Read With Us: My July Pick

To be honest, I really didn’t get to have a lot of reading time in July. If you’ve been following the Coupon Geek Facebook Page at all, you know why. I’ve spent a good portion of the month decluttering our house. I’m not talking simple de-cluttering but all out “everything will have a place” de-cluttering. I’ll share more on this with you all in another series but I did want to mention my book pick for the month, even though I haven’t finished it in its entirety.

One of my goals for this year was to learn the canning/preserving process. When I go to the farmer’s markets and farm stands, I’m always drawn to those little Ball jars full of good foods. So I told myself that before the summer’s over, I’ll figure out how to do this, if even just one or two items. You have to start somewhere, right? In the end, I’m hoping to make up some salsa, tomato recipes and jams. We’ll see how it goes.

Thanks to several of my Facebook Friends, I’ve was steered towards the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving and Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving.

The Ball Blue Book actually comes in the Ball Home Canning Kit if you needed one of them and can find a good deal on it. (It went as low as $39 on Walmart.com but sold out so fast!)

But overall, I wanted to make this my monthly book pick in hopes that it might encourage others to check it out at the library and possibly venture into the world of canning/preserving, too. I have a feeling that once I put the investment into the supplies I need, that it will save me money over the years. (and definitely get us some yummy foods on the table!) Stay tuned for the upcoming giveaway for this book!

I’d love to hear what things you’ve had good luck canning/preserving.

8 Comments

7.29.10

Backpack Treks: Our Visit to Faith’s Farm

I had mentioned before that I was going to start a new series on the blog called “Backpack Treks.” These are just little adventures that I take with the kids that I thought I’d share to possibly inspire you to find some fun activities to do with your children, as well.

I’ve been slowly switching our family over to more Organic foods. It’s a really, really slow process but one that I feel will be worth it in the end. It’s kind of like starting all over again as far as learning prices, testing out brands, finding great coupon sources for them and just learning what’s good and what’s not.

The first thing I wanted to do was to find a great source for our meats. I had searched the sites of localharvest. org and eatwild.com to find farms within a reasonable driving distances. After reading To Buy or Not to Buy Organic…, I knew that I didn’t need to solely look for Organic but I could also find some sustainable farms that would work, as well. I kept coming back to this place called Faith’s Farm in Bonfield, Illinois. So I called up and had a nice chat with the farmer there, Kim.

She shared a lot of info with me and since I was interested in buying meats from them, offered me a tour of their place so I could see for myself where my food was coming from and the kind of environment the animals lived in there. She said it was the perfect time to come as there were a lot of farm babies that my kids could see.

So we set out for our tour with the kids just bursting with excitement at seeing the “cows, pigs and chickens.” While we were waiting for Kim, the kids watched the pigs and piglets eat. Next thing we knew, Kim brought out a baby bunny for them to hold.

Nathan and Kaydi were both in 7th Heaven since they are big fans of the cartoon, “Max and Ruby.”

Moving around the farm, we saw the chicken house and cows in the pasture. Then we came upon the baby ducks.

Nathan couldn’t believe it when Kim let him hold one.

Then we saw the turkeys, goat and the biggest pig I’d ever seen. The last stop was the other chicken house where the babies had recently hatched.

Kaydi couldn’t get over how many there were and loved petting them.

While the kids (and us!) all had a great time, the important reason for this visit was Organic meats. I bought several different cuts to try. The ones we’ve tried so far have been amazing! I’m convinced that I want in on a share of them that come available this fall/winter.

So if you are thinking about switching yourself, check online and you might find a local farmer near you to buy from. Most of them are willing to give a tour of their farms for serious Customers. Not only will you get some great food and support a local farmer, but you’ll also get a very fun family outing along with it–and possibly a little farming knowledge, too!

As far as Faith’s Farm, I do recommend them to anyone in the Chicagoland area that lives nearby. A big thanks to Kim for her hospitality and a great farm tour!

Giveaway: $20 in Children’s Books on Amazon

(Sorry this is a little late this week!)

This week, I’ve been reading The Kissing Hand to my kids. One of the things I love about Amazon is that it gives you daily discounts on items that correspond to past purchases. Since I buy a lot of children’s books on there, this was one of them they recommended. I’m glad they did as it’s the cutest book! It’s about a raccoon that’s going to school for the first time and is a little scared. His Mom tells him the “secret” of the kissing hand. It’s just a way to take a little piece of you with them wherever they go.You’ll have to check it out to see what the secret is.

After reading it, I ended up buying this Heart in Hand Cookie Cutter that relates to the story. So this week, we are going to be making some of these cookies and reading the book again.

This is just one of the many books that we have been reading together this week.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

101 Comments

7.21.10

Giveaway: $20 In Children’s Books on Amazon – 2 Winners

This week, I’ve been reading It Looked Like Spilt Milk with the kids. It’s a cute book that has various shaped white pictures that resemble an object. It will say something like, “It looked like spilt milk, but it wasn’t. What was it?” In the end, it tells them that they are all clouds. The kids got a big kick out of the ending and it seems to have shown them a whole new world to what they see in the sky when we are driving around. Later this week, I plan on taking them out on a picnic and then seeing if they’ll tell me anything they think they see in the clouds. I remember doing this with my parents when I was little.

This is just one of the many books that we have been reading together this week.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Sunday, July 25, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

131 Comments

7.14.10

Giveaway: $20 in Children’s Books on Amazon – Two Winners

This week, I’ve been reading the Brown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set with the kids. It has the Brown Bear, Panda Bear and Polar Bear books by Eric Carle. He’s on my list of favorite children’s authors as we also love his The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Very Busy Spider books. In the Brown Bear series, he does a great job of teaching kids sounds, colors and animals. We’ve been thinking about taking the kids to the zoo soon so I thought this would be a great set to read so my daughter can recognize more of the animals if we go.

These are just some of the many books that we have been reading together this week.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Saturday, July 17, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

189 Comments

7.7.10

Giveaway: Wednesday’s Reading Day – Up to $20 in Children’s Books – 2 Winners

As promised, it’s Wednesday and I am giving away a children’s book choice (up to $20 to spend on children’s books on Amazon!) to two of my lucky readers. Each Wednesday through August, I’ll be doing this giveaway. It’s just my way of encouraging all of you to spend time each week reading with a child and sharing the love of books with them.

This week, the kids have become obsessed with wanting to read our Karen Katz Book Set that we have. They really get a kick out of the lift-a-flap pages. As we read them, they point to the body parts or say what’s hiding behind objects. I really like the style of the author and we are gradually picking up more and more of her other books, as well.

These are just some of the many books that we have been reading together this week.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Friday, July 9, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

117 Comments

7.1.10

Read With Us: My June Pick

I have actually been reading several books this month, including All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space, The Complete Book of Running for Women and Charlie St. Cloud: A Novel.

I had just found the Charlie St. Cloud: A Novel at Target this last week and decided it looked interesting enough that I couldn’t pass it up. I finished it in just two days. It’s about two brothers that are in a car accident. The older one survives but promises his brother he’ll never leave him. He takes a job in a cemetery and this is where the book plays out.

What I liked about it is that throughout the book, it really gets you asking yourself if you are living life to its fullest and making the most of it. I was happy to see that they’ve also made a movie out of it and it looks like it might be releasing this summer on July 30, 2010. It stars Zac Ephron, whom you might know from High School Musical.

I hope that you are fitting in a little reading time for yourselves this month. I often find reading a nice way to unwind from the typical crazy-filled day.

3 Comments

6.30.10

Giveaway: Wednesday’s Reading Day – Children’s Book Choice – 2 Winners

This week, the kids and I have been spending more time in the garden, picking some of our veggies that have been growing and also planting some seeds in little containers, as well. So I thought that a fitting book to read to them this week was I’m A Seed. It’s a cute book about a merigold and a pumpkin seed chatting in the garden. I guess what I like about this book is it kind of symbolizes how we are all different yet we each add our own unique qualities and assets to life.

This is just one of the many books that we have been reading together. But definitely one to check into if you are also sharing some gardening experiences with the little kids.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Friday, July 2, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

74 Comments

6.25.10

Gardening Fun: My Latest Garden Pics

It’s been awhile since I posted a garden update. I wanted to wait until I had my Square Foot Garden all assembled and some plants in before I posted a new one. I’ve been reading and following the All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space! book over the last six weeks or so. I had a really hard time finding the certified asbestos-free vermiculite for “Mel’s Mix” so I had to proceed without it. (I’m in no way recommending this, though, as I don’t know how it will turn out.) I have some really rich Organic Soil, Organic Compost and Peat Moss for Organic Gardening, so I’m hoping I’ll be OK. Things are growing really well so far as you can see from the picture below: (The strawberry patch isn’t pictured in this one, as it’s in a separate area.)

My hubby was busy putting together our large swing-set for the kids so he bought me a two-tiered raised bed from Gardener’s Supply Company for Mother’s Day. I really loved the green color that blends in with the yard and I like how one side is 6″ inches deep, while the other is 12″ deep so I can place deeper-growing plants in there without any worries. Since I like how the square-foot gardening is going, I’ll have him build me two more 4×4 boxes next year. So I’ll keep my eye out for some lumber sales before then. (Who knows, maybe I’ll convince him to build me a set this year!) So far, the wood lath that we used for the grid is working really well.

I planted mostly Organic Seeds but for the Tomatoes and Peppers, I purchased Organic Transplants, since I was a little late in getting started. (They were actually 50% Off when I went to buy them, so I got really lucky there!) I’m quite amazed at how fast everything is growing! Below is a picture from a few weeks back of our lettuce:

What I like about the square foot gardening is that it really reduces weeds. I’ve had a couple that seemed to have blown in or something. What’s nice is, since the seeds are in their grid spots (like in sets of 16 or 9), I can tell where a weed is really easily and not have to worry if I’m pulling out a growing plant.

The kids are having a fun time watering the garden and picking a few of the foods that were ready, such as strawberries and radishes. (Those are both great plants to grow with kids, if you are looking for something fairly easy.) We were all sad when the strawberry growing season ended for us.

I’m amazed at how many plants were listed for fall. I was always thinking that if I didn’t get anything going by summer, that I was done for the year since it’s so cold here. But I can still get in some things this fall in some of my square foot spots that open up.

I’m hoping that you are all having great luck with your gardens, as well! Make sure you check out Teresa’s Gardening Pictures from this week, too!

UPDATE: Some of you asked to see the swing-set. It’s pictured below:

The box said 20-40 hrs of assembly with two people and my hubby assembled the entire thing himself, with only help from a neighbor to hold the roof and slide top while he drilled them in. It took a long, long time to build! So you can see why he didn’t want to build a garden bed during it! What you are looking at is my 2010 Vacation.

When we found the deal, we decided to buy it rather than taking a family vacation (that the kids would be too young to remember) and get this for them instead. It was on some crazy one-day deal. We were lucky enough to get the last one they had. It’s made for a lot of great family memories every day so I’m glad we invested in it. We don’t seem to mind missing out on that vacation!

8 Comments

6.23.10

Giveaway: Wednesday’s Reading Day – Children’s Book Choice – 2 Winners

Over Father’s Day weekend, we decided to have our annual “backyard camping” adventure with the kids. Since they are too little to really camp elsewhere, we just pop-up the tent in our own backyard and “pretend” we are elsewhere. You can read more about our adventures under Backpack Treks.

So to get them ready for camping, I started reading them Turtle and Snake Go Camping
(which we found at our Library during their summer program) and Camping Out. I have to say that it really helped them understand the concept a little better and they were all excited when the tent was up and they thought they were going to sleep outside.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Friday, June 25, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

170 Comments

6.23.10

Backpack Treks: Backyard Camping

We had decided that over Father’s Day weekend, we wanted to have a “backyard camping” night. They were calling for nice weather on Saturday so in the morning, we set up the tent in our yard. We had to visit family in the afternoon but we were back in plenty of time before darkness set in.

The kids were all excited about sleeping outside and they loved the idea that their doggies would be joining them. We got the sleeping bags in the tent and they ran in there giggling and chasing each other around.

As the darkness finally started to set in, we got our Firepit going and made S’mores with them.

I had also bought some Melissa and Doug Sunny Patch Nets (which I really love!) and the kids ran around chasing and catching fireflies.

It all seemed quite perfect. Right up until a swarm of mosquitoes decided that it looked like we were having fun and wanted to join us. After the kids got bit, I decided that was it and we were going inside. So instead, we re-arranged our family room, blew up some air mattresses, put the sleeping bags on top and “camped out” indoors. The kids didn’t seem to mind. I had prepared for this by buying them the latest Max & Ruby DVD
so we spent the rest of the night watching that.

If your kids are a little too young to really enjoy a camping experience, you may want to consider your own backyard. Several of our friends do the same thing and their kids also have a fabulous time. If you are looking for places to camp, though, check reviews online for places in your area. Park districts are great places to look into. Several of them are good at patrolling and keeping “quiet time” rules enforced and they typically don’t charge very much for their sites.

I just found this great article with ideas to do while backyard camping. I wish I had seen it sooner because I think the kids would have loved the flashlight tag game. I’ll have to save that idea for next time!

Once you spend the initial investment on camping equipment that first year, camping can be a fairly inexpensive annual outing with the family. Just keep your eyes open for off-seasonal sales. We’ve found good luck at Target when they reduce their summer aisles and discount a lot of their camping items.

I still have several memories of my camping trips with my parents and siblings from when we were younger. Hopefully my kids will have the same fond memories of ours. And I’m hoping you get the chance to create some fun memories with your kids, as well!

Giveaway: Wednesday’s Reading Day – Children’s Book Choice – 2 Winners

This week, I’m reading The Pizza That We Made and Pizza Pat to my kids. What I try to do with the books that we read is to match up a related activity to them throughout the week. So this week, we made some Pizza On A Stick. The kids had a blast! While we were waiting for our bread to toast, we read both of these books. I think it helped them enjoy making their own pizza even more. The The Pizza That We Made has a recipe for making your own homemade pizza in the back but we haven’t tried it yet.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

129 Comments

6.9.10

Giveaway: Wednesday’s Reading Day – Children’s Book Choice – 2 Winners

This week, I’m reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to my kids. I had bought this awhile back and put it in with a travel case of coloring books and such. Well, we haven’t used it in a long time. The kids asked to take the case out and what a nice surprise to find it.

Our book comes with a CD version, too. We haven’t listened to it yet, as I’m saving that for later in the week. But last night, the kids got the biggest kick when I had their Daddy bring home a real coconut. They got excited watching the coconut water pour out and then seeing how it looked when we cracked it open. Honestly, neither of them was overly thrilled with the coconut taste but they still had a lot of fun. My son told us that it came from “the coconut tree.” After reading it so much this week already, he’s picking up lines from the book. Eventually we’ll make something from the coconut shells, I just don’t know what yet.

If this sounds like something you’d like to win, make sure you enter!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER

NOTE: Beneath this posting is the word “Comments.” This is where you’ll put your entries. Only entries on this posting will be counted.

1) To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment letting me know what book you are reading to your kids/ a child this week.

After that, here are other ways to enter: (Please, make sure that you submit extra comments if you do these.)

3) Follow me on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this. If you are already following, thank you and make sure you leave a 3rd comment letting me know.

4) Blog/Tweet about the giveaway. Make sure you come back and leave a separate extra comment letting me know that you’ve done this.

There are a total of 4 entries per person! (Please be sure to leave separate entries for each one.)

Entry is open to US residents only through 11:59PM CST on Friday, June 11, 2010. Winners will be chosen using random.org and contacted by email. If you’re the winner, you’ll have only 48 hours to respond or an alternate will be chosen.

174 Comments

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