We Sing 80s Review and Giveaway

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

A Wii video game featuring 80s music? Growing up in the 80's I say: Yes, please!

I received a bundled pack of the Nordic Games We Sing 80's (to include 2 microphones) for review. 

Since my husband is also a child of the 80's I figured this would be a fun game for us to have for the Wii. If you were a child of the 80's you know you loved the music from that decade! This game has 30 songs including 21 that were worldwide number 1 hits. There is a good variety of mixed genre including songs by Cyndi Lauper, Paula Abdul, Smokey Robinson, Cameo, Queen, Tears For Fears, Lionel Ritchie.

There are a couple of big names not on the list - Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson - but maybe there are copyright issues and they couldn't use their songs.

I thought I knew a good amount of 80's songs, but there were several songs I didn't know.

I figured this would be a game that only Joe and I would enjoy ... not our kids. Of course we couldn't try it out after they went to bed because they probably would have woken up from our singing!

Even though my kids know nothing of 80's music they were very anxious and excited for us to break out the game ... and they wanted to play it too ... even though we kept telling them these are EIGHTIES songs and you DON'T KNOW THESE SONGS!

That didn't matter to them. They wanted the microphones and they wanted to sing. They had a blast. Since they lyrics scroll through on the bottom of the screen this is also a great way to increase reading skills and reading fluency. It's so funny to hear Lucas trying to keep up with the lyrics of the song as he's reading the words scrolling through the screen.

Kayla's favorite song seems to be "Boys (Summertime Love)" by Sabrina (one of those songs that I didn't know). It's not easy for her to keep up with the flow of singing the lyrics, so this one she can easily sing "Boys, boys, boys" over and over!

They've asked to play this several times and Lucas has told me that his favorite songs are "True Colors" and "Smooth Operator"! Another day we were driving and he hears on the radio station "the best hits on" whatever radio station it was and he says, "No, that's not right! The best hits aren't on that station. The best hits We Sing 80's!" I guess he's turning in to an 80's music fan?

You can play up with up to 4 microphones and there are several ways to play - solo, party, karaoke, 8 multiplayer modes, original artist with video plays on the screen. There are singing lessons, replay features, and 3 difficulty levels.

I already know that I have no musical talent and should only be singing when I'm driving (ha!) and this confirms that, but it also made me realize how many of the lyrics I actually don't know! I find it much harder to sing along as I'm trying to read the lyrics.

All in all my family has been having fun with this game and enjoying 'singing' together ... but I won't embarrass my kids (or myself!) with a video showing our non-singing skills. You can watch a trailer for the We Sing 80's game here.

Giveaway! You can win your own copy of We Sing 80's by leaving a comment stating what your favorite 80s song/musician/group is. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you're the winner. Winner will be chosen by random.org

 

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America's ToothFairy and SparX Candy Giveaway

Sunday, 20 October 2013

America's ToothFairy and Xlear have teamed up to provide a SparX candy giveaway just in time for Halloween.

America's ToothFairy mission is to eliminate children's preventable suffering from pediatric dental disease by providing programs and resources to communities including preventative, educational, and treatment services.

Trick or Treat with America's ToothFairy and find an activity calendar, and a word search among other ideas for fundraising to provide funds for kids to receive dental care and preventative services.

You can also sign up for the Kids Club where your child can receive personalized letters from the tooth fairy.

The giveaway is for a 30-pack bag of Halloween SparX candy. SparX is naturally sweetened candy dots made with Xylitol. Years of clinical testing shows that xylitol may reduce the risk of tooth decay and six national dental associations have officially endorsed sugar-free gums and candies made with xylitol.

This candy comes in 3 flavors: Berry, Citrus, and Fruit. To enter the giveaway leave a comment with which flavor you think you would like the best. Contest ends on Oct 23; winner will be chosen by random.org.

Speaking of dental health and preventative services; America's ToothFairy and Oral-B provided Kayla with a Pro Health For Me Rechargeable toothbrush for review. This toothbrush comes with 2 brush heads and a rechargeable battery that can't be overcharged. It has a waterproof handle and is compatible with multiple brush heads.

I like the timer on the brush that is set for the recommended 2 minutes of brushing time. Kayla will know when she's finished brushing instead of constantly asking me, "Can I be done now?" while she's brushing her teeth.

She also has a tendency to hold the toothbrush in her mouth and chew on it instead of brushing. The Pro Health for Me toothbrush has a rotating-oscillating brush head which is better at plaque removal than a manual toothbrush. So now while Kayla might still be holding the toothbrush in her mouth, it is doing all the work for her since the round shape of the brush head surrounds each tooth for individual tooth cleaning. I might have to still remind her to move the tooth brush all around her mouth, but at least now if she's not doing the actual brushing motion I know her teeth are getting well-cleaned by the electric brush doing it's job.


 

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Switch & Go Dinos Giveaway

Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Contest is now closed! Congrats to the winner of the prize pack: Heather! 

I have a 5 year old boy. 5 year old boys usually go hand in hand with dinosaur fascination. So when there was an opportunity for bloggers to review, and host a giveaway, of VTech's new Switch & Go Dinos I knew this would be something fun for Lucas to try out and give his review of the products.

We received Jagger the T-Rex and 3 assorted smaller dinos.

All of the Switch & Go Dinos transform from a dinosaur to a vehicle. They have an LCD screen for customizable animated faces; and in dinosaur mode the action buttons make dinosaur noises and state interesting facts about each type of dinosaur.

Jagger does all that and more. He is the only one that responds to specific voice commands in both dinosaur and truck mode.

I pulled T-Rex out of the box to get it all set up and figure out how to use it before I showed it to Lucas. In other words ... I played with it first!

It took me a little longer than I thought it should have to change the dinosaur to truck mode, but admittedly I didn't read the instructions first! Once I read through those I was able to quickly get the hang of it.

I tried out several of the specific voice commands that Jagger responds to (Roar with me! Make me laugh! Go forward! Go Back! are among several commands it responds to). After listening to the Jagger voice throughout all of this I tried the command for "Change your voice!" Even though I was alone in my house trying this out - it made me laugh out loud when I heard the voice change for the first time.

When Lucas came home from school I brought Jagger out. He was impressed with Jagger just as he was, but when I told Jagger to "Go forward!" and the dinosaur followed my command, Lucas was even more amazed. His eyes got wide as I tried out several other commands.

He also got a kick out of "Change your voice!" and "Go wild!" I think that one is his favorite.

Unfortunately Lucas thought Jagger would respond to anything he said and tried to get him to do other things. I gave him the card that comes with it that shows the list of commands and he was good with that!

I do wish that you didn't have to say "Hello T-Rex" and wait for a response before you give each command. It would be nice if there was a time limit for saying "Hello T-Rex" and you could do several voice commands one after the other, before having to say his name again. So far that doesn't seem to bother my kids when they've been playing with it - occasionally I have to give them a reminder to say "Hello T-Rex" when they say the command over and over and wonder why there isn't a response.

There are times when the response you get from T-Rex doesn't match the requested command ... but it is all computerized. I'm sure it has something to do with how slowly and clearly you're speaking and the tone of voice. If T-Rex doesn't understand the command he'll respond to try again later. Again, this doesn't seem to bother my kids when that happens. They just try again! And they laugh if he does something they didn't say to do. Kayla has been having just as much fun playing with Jagger as Lucas is.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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You have the chance to win the complete line of Switch & Go Dinos just by entering a picture of your child doing their best dinosaur impression on VTech's Facebook contest. (You have to 'like' the page first to get the contest details.) Contest ends on Sep 9 at 8:00 am ET.

You can also enter my blog giveaway for 1 winner to win a set of 3 assorted smaller Switch & Go Dinos. Just leave a comment on this post saying which of the dinosaurs (besides the obvious Jagger!) you think your child would like the most.Winner will be picked by Random.org on Mon, Sep 9. (Must be US resident).

Lucas kept thanking me for 'buying me this dinosaur!' and I had to explain to him that I didn't buy this one. We received Jagger, and the 3 assorted smaller dinos, from VTech to review on my blog. Then I had to explain what a review is and what my blog is! Lucas gives this 2 thumbs up!

Disclosure: "The VTech product, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech." All opinions are mine and my children's. 

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Day 21 Giveaway: Love on the 21st Chromosome

Wednesday, 31 October 2012

The world can be a small place, and the Down syndrome community even smaller.

When Kayla started attending the school she was at the last 2 years, her classroom was across the hall from the reading specialist. Unfortunately she is the reading specialist for the 4th and 5th graders, so Kayla was never in her class. But this teacher got to know Kayla and they greeted each other every day.

Turns out this teacher has a young granddaughter who has Down syndrome. We finally connected and then her daughter and I became FB friends as well. I met her daughter, and adorable granddaughter, over Spring Break when they were here for a visit.

Her daughter, Jenny, generously donated 3 t-shirts (white, size medium) that say "Love on the 21st Chromosome" for this giveaway - thank you Jenny!

To enter leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn another entry you can Tweet about the giveaway. You can do this directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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Day 19 Giveaway: Pillowcase from Sarah & Joyce

Monday, 29 October 2012

Joyce and Sarah are a mother-daughter blogging/sewing team. Sarah is a young adult who has Down syndrome and Joyce, is her mother who also blogs at JEllen's House of Fabrics.

They are both business-savvy ladies who opened their own quilting store in which Sarah works in and helps run the store.

When Joyce started teaching Sarah sewing she decided to start with pillowcases. Soon after that she came across the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge. When Joyce read this part about the challenge, "A pillowcase can provide comfort for a cancer patient..." Sarah immediately thought of her friend, Kristen (who later, sadly, passed away from cancer.) They hosted a kick-off party at the quilting store and collected pillowcases which were donated to a local hospital.

Sarah and Joyce are graciously donating one of their pillowcases; the winner will be able to pick a design from a host of different categories.

To enter leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Sarah and Joyce's JEllen's House of Fabric, you can like their Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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Day 17 Giveaway: Taurini Designs

Thursday, 25 October 2012

Kristy Yawman is another talented young artist who has Down syndrome. Taurini Designs was started by Kristy and her sister Stacy. Kristy's art is important in her life because it helps her express her inner feelings and makes her feel peaceful and calm.

Kristy uses her eye for detail and color to produce her creative drawings and Stacy scans the drawings, adds backgrounds, and puts the images on greeting cards, clothing, journals and notepads.

These are some of their most popular designs, Kristy has many more and they can also do custom designs and put the artwork on many different products.

I like the Cherry Blossoms and Calla Lilly designs ... those make me think of being peaceful and calm!

I also think their designs would look great as illustrations in children's books!

Stacy and Kristy are generously giving away a onesie for this giveaway - thank you!

To enter leave a comment on this post stating which of the most popular designs is your favorite and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn an additional entry, and to spread the word about Taurini Designs, you can Tweet about the giveaway. You can do that directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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Day 16 Giveaway: Furnace Hills Coffee

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Dave and Louise Baldwin were brainstorming ideas about what their daughter, Erin, who has Down syndrome, could do in the way of employment. It's no secret that there is a high percentage of people with disabilities who are either under or unemployed.

One day, on Twitter of all places, Dave saw an announcement from Jim Kales, CEO of Aspire (who are also donating coffee for the 21 Days of Giveaway!) about a new venture employing people with disabilities in a coffee-roasting business. Aspire is located in Chicago, the Baldwins live in Westminster, MD. So Dave got the idea to start a coffee-roasting business in MD and Furnace Hills Coffee was born.

Dave is chronicling how they started their business in a series of blog post starting with The Beginning of a Movement. You can also watch this video for more info about how they got started and what the company is about.

Erin is their first employee with a disability, but the goal is to hire more employee with disabilities as the business expands (and it has already expanded as they have moved the business out of the their house!).

Furnace Hills Coffee is also giving back to organizations that service people with disabilities in places around the world.

Their coffee beans come from "specialty coffee merchants who have intimate, long-term working relationships with coffee farms and co-operatives in more than 15 countries around the world."

Furnace Hills Coffee is generously donating a bag of coffee to this giveaway - thank you!

To enter leave a comment on this post stating which coffee you think you would like and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Furnace Hills Coffee, you can like their Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)


 

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Day 15 Giveaway: Monica & David Documentary

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Today's giveaway is a DVD of the documentary featuring Monica & David.

I saw the screening of this film at the NDSC Convention in Orlando . The film really made me stop and think about Kayla's future ... and the things we need to be doing to prepare her for her future. Things to help ensure she can live her life as independently as possible.

I love the love story between Monica & David. You can tell how much they love and adore each other. It makes me smile thinking of that being Kayla one of these days.

The film won Best Documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival and the South Dakota Film Festival. It also won 2n place IDFA Amsterdam Audience Award, and been named an official selection for Silverdocs and Hotdocs Film Festival, and opening night for the Anaheim Film Festival.

Here is an update from earlier this year: Monica and David Just celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary and are doing amazingly well.  They recently started new volunteer jobs at a local hospital, working with kids in the daycare center.  David’s healthy and continues to monitor his diabetes well.  He recently threw the opening pitch at a pre-season Florida Marlins baseball game!!  Turns out that the Marlins’ new manager, Ozzie Guillen, is a huge fan of the film and has quickly become friends with Monica, David and their family.

View the trailer here:


A DVD of Monica & David has graciously been donated for this giveaway.

To enter leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Monica & David, you can like their Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.


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Day 14 Giveaway: Corbin-Smiles Artwork

Monday, 22 October 2012

Corbin Chanter is a young adult with Down syndrome who has a passion for acting and dreams of becoming a movie star.

Corbin is also a talented artist who has sold pieces all over Oregon.

His artwork is fun, bright, colorful and makes me smile looking at it! Corbin's artwork can be found on t-shirts (my favorite is the "Life is Beautiful" design; I just might have to order a kid's size for Kayla!) and cards including Holiday, Birthday, and Special Occasion designs.

Despite a recent cross-country move, Corbin is generously donating a pack of his cards for this giveaway - thanks Corbin!

To enter leave a comment on this post stating which of Corbin's designs you like and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Corbin-Smiles Artwork, you can Tweet about the giveaway. You can do this directly on the Rafflecopter widget.


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Day 12 Giveaway: NDSS 3:21 T-Shirt

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Last year the National Down Syndrome Society unveiled a collection of Signature Shirts from Rhyme & Reason Clothing.

These shirts feature the symbolic 3:21 (you know, 3 copies of the 21st chromosome), and the NDSS logo. The Signature 3:21 shirts are available in Women's and Men's (in Gold, Light Grey, and Navy) and Kid's (in Gold).

Rhyme & Reason is a company that makes high quality clothes and lets customers give back to society by donating a percentage of each purchase to the charity of their choice.

10% of every purchase made from this link goes to the NDSS. Also, when you make any other purchase besides the Signature 3:21 shirts, you can get 30% off by using code ndss30.

The NDSS is graciously donating a Signature Shirt for this giveaway! The winner will be able to choose an adult or child size shirt of what is in stock at the time (giveaway ends on the 31st.)

To enter leave a comment on this post stating whether you want the adult or kid size shirt and then click on the +1 Do It link on the Rafflecopter widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about the NDSS and Rhyme & Reason Clothing, you can like their Facebook pages and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)

Check out the NDSS list of references for Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

 

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Day 10 Giveaway: Aspire Coffeeworks

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Today's giveaway comes from Aspire Coffeeworks - a division of Aspire, a non-profit leader in services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Illinois. Their goal is to help people with developmental disabilities achieve their highest potential where they live, learn, work, or play.

Aspire Coffeeworks partnered with Metropolis Coffee Company, one of the nation's top artisan coffee roasters. Employees from Aspire, (who have disabilities) work alongside the Metropolis Coffee Company employees to grind, package, and ship the orders. Each bag of coffee is roasted to order, dated, and packaged to ship directly to your home.

About the coffee: Our coffee is craft-roasted by some of the nation's most talked-about coffee experts. Using vintage German roasting equipment, Metropolis Coffee's roasters are artists who carefully craft the flavor of each batch. All of the coffee blends are certified organic and carry the Fair Trade Logo.

Not only are people with Down syndrome and other disabilities being employed through this venture, but 100% of proceeds from their products help fund Aspire's programs for children and adults with disabilities. Win-win!

Watch the video of the partnership:

Aspire Coffeeworks is donating a bag of coffee to this giveaway. You can choose Whole Bean or Ground and choose between Signature Blend, Bold, Decaf, and Espresso.

To enter leave a comment on this post stating which coffee flavor you would like to have, and then click on the +1 Do It link on the widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Aspire Coffeeworks, you can like their Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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Day 9 Giveaway: Down Syndrome Footprint

Sunday, 14 October 2012

Pretty much every cause out there has a ribbon to identify it. Down syndrome is no different - the blue and yellow color scheme on a ribbon signifies Down syndrome. I think it started with the color combination that is on the Buddy Walk logo.

A couple of years ago a couple, who have a daughter with Down syndrome, came up with a logo that is based on a medical marker for Down syndrome - the gap between the the first and second toe. (Not everyone with Down syndrome has this 'sandal gap,' but it is one of many characteristics doctors look for if they suspect a Down syndrome diagnosis.)

This new awareness symbol allows for questions to be asked and answered, and to 'educate society on the facts and future of Down syndrome.' From this vision the Down Syndrome Footprint Foundation was created.

The Foundation is 'committed to creating greater awareness, empowerment, and employment opportunities for all people with Down syndrome.'

One of the ways this foundation is encouraging employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome is through the Down Syndrome Footprint store. All items in the store are either made or packaged by someone with Down syndrome.

Among the products in the store are Awareness Items, Jewelery, Men, Women, and Youth clothing.

The Foundation also has a few ways you can have a fundraiser with Down Syndrome Footprint.

A $21 (appropriate amount, isn't it?) gift certificate to the Down Syndrome Footprint store was donated for this giveaway.

To enter leave a comment on this post stating just one item from the store you would like to have, and then click on the +1 Do It link on the widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Down Syndrome Footprint, you can like their Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

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Day 8 Giveaway: Meet Annie

Saturday, 13 October 2012

Meet Annie is an adorable children's book written by Heather J. Scharlau-Hollis, who has a daughter with Down syndrome. Annie has Down syndrome and she describes all the way she is "just like you." This is an easy book for kids to read and gets the message across that, "We need to understand that we are all different and those differences make us who we are."

Each page shows Annie doing or feeling something, and then has a question for the reader - I like how that engages the reader to think about things too. For instance one page says, "I love to play with my toys just like you. I like my balls and baby dolls best. What is your favorite toy?"

I read this book to Kayla's 2nd grade class last year and all the kids seemed really interested and engaged. They liked the questions that are on almost every page. I would ask the questions to the class, "Do you ever get scared? Do you ever get in trouble? Do you ever need help? What is your favorite food?" and hands were always clamoring in the air so they could tell me their answers.

We've had this book for about 4 yrs now and Kayla and Lucas still like to pull it off the bookshelf and read it.

Heather is donating a copy of Meet Annie to this giveaway - thanks Heather! You can enter to win by using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment on this post and then click on the +1 Do It link on the widget.

To earn another entry, and to spread the word about Meet Annie, you can also Tweet about the giveaway. You can do that directly on the Rafflecopter widget.
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Day 7 Giveaway: Kardz By Kenz

Friday, 12 October 2012

Today's giveaway comes courtesy of a local (to me!) artist who has Down syndrome - McKenzie.

McKenzie's dream is to be a famous artist and in 2009 her family helped her launch her business Kardz by Kenz. She sells greeting cards customized with her art designs. The inside of the cards are blank so they can be used for any occasion.

I purchased sets of her Kardz earlier this year for end-of-school gifts for Kayla's teachers and therapists. The back of the card has a small blurb about McKenzie. I liked that they could read that and see the cards came from a young woman in the Charleston area who has Down syndrome...and show them the potential people with Down syndrome have.

One of the features of Kenzie's website shows all the states where her cards have sold (32 states!) and she has a map with those states colored in. If you live in one of the states 'missing' from her list you might consider making a purchase (they're only $5, plus S&H, for a set of 5.)

Kenzie also gives back to charities. After she sold 1000 sets she donated $1000 to Camp Victory Junction Gang Camp. (Side note: This is an awesome camp that my family had the chance to attend a couple of years ago!)

Kenzie is donating a set of cards for this giveaway. You can enter to win by using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment on this post saying what you would use the cards for, and then click on the +1 Do It link on the widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Kardz By Kenz, you can like her Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.
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Day 6 Giveaway: Group Hug Apparel

Thursday, 11 October 2012

Day 6 Giveaway is a stylish Group Hug Apparel tshirt from Andrew Banar.

Andrew is a 21 year old young man, who has Down syndrome, and leads a very full, active, and content life. He stays active in his community with bowling, drum lessons, volunteering, and working.

One of Andrew's dreams was to go to college - like his cousin is doing. He told his mom he wanted to make a lemonade stand to raise money, but she mentioned selling t-shirts with one of his recent rock and roll drawings on them. Group Hug Apparel was born...and Andrew is now going to college!

His designs are simple, yet fun and funky. His first design was "Rock On" and now adding to that collection are Be Strong Rock On (and the patch design), and Rock On With Friends.

Andrew's t-shirt business started as a means to raise money to attend college; yet he's still giving back to his community with a portion of the proceeds being donated to many charities and community organizations. Due to his contributions to his community Andrew was named the Canadian Down Syndrome Society Hero for 2012, and he received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Award,

Group Hug Apparel is available online and comes in Men's, Women's, Kids, and Infants.

Andrew is generously donating a t-shirt to the 21 Days of Giveaways! Winner can chose from any of the shirts that are available online, providing the size for that shirt is available. Thanks Andrew!

You can enter to win a t-shirt using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment on this post with what design you like the best, and then click on the +1 Do It link on the widget.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Group Hug Apparel, you can like the Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.
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Day 5 Giveaway: Just Cate

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

Just Cate is a newly-published dual memoir from lifelong friends about growing up, faith, parenting, friendship, and a spirited child who has Down syndrome.

As I read through the first chapter I felt like I was sitting down with a new friend and sharing the birth stories of our daughters' and the initial aftermath in the hospital of receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome. We had many of the same thoughts and emotions.

Noelle (Cate's mom) and Angela (Noelle's best friend) have written a unique memoir sharing about their early years of growing up together, Cate's birth, and their second phase of growing up. The story is written in Noelle's voice first, followed by Angela's voice. I like that this memoir includes the perspective of the best friend and her thoughts and journey regarding Cate's birth.

While we all have different stories, I figured I would at least identify with Noelle's story to some extent, both of us raising a child with Down syndrome; but it was interesting to read what a friend might go through upon hearing that her best friend just gave birth to a child with an unexpected diagnosis of Down syndrome.

This book made me think often of my own best friend; friends since the 7th grade. Thanks to the military lifestyle, we only went to the same school and lived near each other for 2 years - our 7th and 8th grade years. Despite distances (and being separated by oceans and countries) ours is a friendship that has lasted through the years. We've been there for each other through the teenage-growing up years, and the adult years - marriages, abuse, divorces, childbirth, disabilities.

When Kayla was born I called my best friend from the hospital to tell her she most likely has Down syndrome. She told me it would be ok and that "at least you get to take your baby home." Her sister had given birth earlier that year, to a daughter who had many complications. She only lived a few months, and in her short life, she never left the hospital.

Noelle and Angela share how their faith and friendship is quietly renewed during the 12 year journey after Cate's birth. There are lessons learned about the strength inside yourself, seeing the good in people, living your life just as you are and the freedom to be yourself ... just like Cate is living her life. There are challenges, to be sure, as there are with raising any child, but there are joyful discoveries as well.

I enjoyed the stories about Cate and her younger years; she sounds like such a character!

Here is a trailer, so you can hear in their own words, on what this book is about.

You can buy the book on Amazon (and for the Kindle) OR you can enter to win it here. The authors have generously donated TWO (signed!) books for this giveaway!

You can enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment and then click on the +1 Do It link.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Just Cate, you can like their Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.
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This is a book I wouldn't have mind receiving in the hospital after Kayla was born!

(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)

  

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Day 4 Giveaway: Lupita Cano

Sunday, 7 October 2012

Lupita Cano is another talented artist creating beautiful pieces of artwork; and she also has Down syndrome.

Lupita's specialty is abstract painting, which she taught herself.

Eleven years ago she started AE Designs by Lupita and started selling cards reproduced from her original paintings. She exhibits and sells originals and reproductions through numerous art shows, retails stores, disability conferences, and online. Her art includes a line of prints, cards, mugs, and other products.

For this giveaway Lupita is donating a set of 3 notecards. Thank you Lupita!

You can enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment and then click on the +1 Do It link.

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Lupito Cano's artwork, you can Tweet about the giveaway. You can do that directly on the Rafflecopter widget.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)
 
 

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Day 3 Giveaway: Miss Katie's Kreations

Saturday, 6 October 2012

Today's giveaway is from Katie, an artist who loves fashion and fashion design. She makes fun, whimsical, fashion-themed characters that you can find on apparel, note cards, Giclees etc. Katie also has Down syndrome.

 Katie used fashion design books to teach herself to draw. She practiced for several years with a fashion sketchbook, moved on to free-hand sketches, and discovered her own technique with her unique flair and style.

She held her first gallery show this past Feb and has since exhibited in several private and public galleries in Florida. Just a couple of months ago she went international when she sold works in Canada and Great Britain. She has also gained recognition in the fashion industry being featured in several fashion articles.

Katie actively gives back to the community and supports people with disabilities through her Helping Others Help Themselves initiative.

If you're in FL you can stop by Katie's TWO studios, Cafe Katie and Miss K.K.'s Boutique, in downtown Ft Pierce, Art Mundo, 111 Orange Ave.

Katie and her mom are both supporting 31 for 21 and 21 Days of Giveaways. Katie donated a 5x7 framed giclee (value $45) for one winner and 2 sets of note cards (value $24) for a second winner.

Katie's mom, Ruth, started a blog to participate in 31 for 21. She is chronicling this last year's "Magical Journey" as Katie is discovered and blossoms. I'm enjoying reading about this journey and the 'lessons learned' Ruth posts at the end of each entry.

Thank you, Katie and Ruth, for your support!

You can enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment stating what you like about Katie's art and then click on the +1 Do It link. (I like the bright, colorful, whimsical characters.)

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Miss Katie's Kreations, you can like her Facebook page and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)

 

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Day 2 Giveaway: I Love My Life

Friday, 5 October 2012

I'd like to introduce you to Julie, and her brother Derrick.

Julie has Down syndrome, and Derrick is paralyzed on his left side. Guess what? They both love their life.

Listen to the story of the "Love Chromosome" and how Julie's mantra of "I love my life!" became a slogan on a tshirt. I so enjoyed watching this video and seeing these siblings joke and interact with each other. I can just picture Kayla and Lucas having this type of relationship as they grow older.

What a powerful quote by Julie that she likes having Down syndrome because it makes her different and she "...likes being unique."
 

Would you like to win an "I Love My Life" t-shirt? Julie and Derrick have graciously offered TWO t-shirts for this giveaway!

You can enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Leave a comment stating what you love about your life and then click on the +1 Do It link. (At this moment, what I love about my life, is being able to spread awareness about the positive aspects of raising a child with Down syndrome.)

To earn more entries, and to spread the word about Julie and Derrick, you can like them on Facebook and Tweet about the giveaway. You can do each of those things directly on the Rafflecopter widget.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winners can chose between the red or blue shirt and specify the sizes.

(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.) 

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Day 1 Giveaway: Gifts

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

The first of the 21 Days of Giveaways is a book that is near and dear to my heart.

In 2006 (goodness has it been 6 yrs already?!) I had the opportunity to submit a story for the book Gifts: Mothers Reflect on how Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives. It is a compilation of stories mothers submitted on the topics pertaining to Gifts Of: Respect, Strength, Delight, Perspective, and Love.

My story, Birthday Guilt, is in the Gift of Love section and it based on this post I wrote as Kayla's 3rd birthday was approaching.

Each story is accompanied by a black and white photo of the subject of that story. A photo slideshow was made to incorporate all the photographs and is set to a song with such beautiful lyrics. (How could anyone ever tell you, you are anything less than beautiful... by Libby Roderick) Kayla's picture shows up at :44.


I'm pretty sure I would have appreciated having this book after Kayla was born; it would have been a nice resource for support...just to put a human facet on the diagnosis to counter all the medical information you're given. It would have been comforting to read all these different stories on love and acceptance and the journey that families were on. I'm sure it would have made me feel less alone.

This book was so successful that Gifts: Volume II was written. This second book includes stories written by family members, friends, and professionals. The chapters are based on Acceptance, Courage, Friendship, Awareness, and Joy.

There will be 2 winners for this drawing - one for each book.

This is my first time using Rafflecopter.com for the giveaways, so crossing my fingers that I've got this figured this out!

After you leave a comment please click on the +1 Do It button on the Rafflecopter Widget (just below) for your entry to be counted. I'm keeping track of all entries on the Rafflecopter site. If you select the option to Tweet about it, once you click on that just click on the Twitter logo and it will automatically pop up with the pre-written Tweet to send.

(Refer back to 21 Days of Giveaways throughout the month to see all of the giveaways.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
 

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