Guidecraft Country Kitchen complimented with a Giveaway

I’m jealous of my daughter’s kitchen. 

She has gas burners. 

I used to.  But we moved.  No gas burners.  I’ll live.

But I still miss my old gas burners.

Her oven is also cleaner than mine . . .

And the rack even pulls out.  

Her kitchen resembles something out of Pottery Barn . . . it must be the bead board.

It even sounds like a gas oven . . . minus the real gas unless my sons are around. 

So, I’m thinking that once the boys and Naomi are too old to play with this kitchen, I’m going to be able to store it in our basement until the grandkids come along, should the Lord tarry.

The Guidecraft Country Kitchen has hinges . . .

And a secret (not really) key to turn your kitchen into a Transformer . . . only 6 inches thick. 

 

It has the IKEA advantage of saving space.  (Not my house . . . I think Jolanthe’s but I pulled this picture from the Guidecraft website.)

This solid wood kitchen is like a bomb shelter.  It is solid.  Seriously solid. 

It was built to last.  (The price reflects it at a whooping $200 over at Guidecraft or  $188 plus free shipping on Amazon.) 

However . . . this would be the kitchen  I personally would ask for next time (not that I am going to ask for one or need to ask for one now). 

I purchased a significantly cheaper wood play kitchen . . . and three years later much of the parts are missing. 

Our old kitchen is actually somewhat hazardous, to be honest.

That’s why I jumped at the chance to review the Guidecraft Country Kitchen . . . I knew that Miss Naomi was going to need one.  And basically anything Guidecraft . . . is solid. 

It’s compact.  Sturdy.  Wide enough to cook multiple dishes (which is a the habit of our real kitchen stove.) Cute.  And it comes in one other color. 

To celebrate Naomi’s launch into being trained up in righteousness (thanks to Guidecraft), Little Light Creative, who is also a homemaker in training, is offering one of my readers a custom print or a preprinted illustration.  Your choice! 

I specifically wanted something something unique to Naomi . . .

Naomi Torah . . . who means pleasant word . . .

And Hannah, the woman behind Little Light Creative, knew how to give me what God had put on my heart. 

(That’s Hannah . . . I actually know her!)

How does Hannah create?

I specialize in graphic design and will do custom work on my shop as well as freelance work. As of right now, I am not offering custom illustrations with the exception of the silhouettes. Most everything I do starts with a pencil, paper, and God's gracious gift of creativity! From paper I move into Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, where I digitalize my ideas. I love print work and am so very blessed to print on a high quality Epson printer.

But why does she create . . . this I love!

I have so many scripture design ideas, so God's Word definitely inspires me. The Proverbs 31 woman is such a beautiful example of biblical womanhood, her example is what inspired me to start a shop.

I’m hoping that Hannah creates a design with the Shema on it . . . hint, hint Hannah!

Want to win an amazing

11x14 print for your home (free shipping)?

Mandatory:  visit Little Light Creative and tell me what your favorite print is.

• Become a follower on Hannah’s blog, Immer Wachsen
• Follow @ImmerWachsen on Twitter.
• Retweet this giveaway: 
• subscribe to my feedburner and receive my blog posts in your inbox
• become a fan of my blog
• tell me what is the Shema?
• Like Guidecraft on Facebook.
• Follow Guidecraft on Twitter.

Remember, only #1 is mandatory. The rest of the entries are optional (bonus), but you MUST comment separately for each one.

Whatever you do . . . please spread the word about this giveaway.  I want to bless Hannah’s socks off!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Fine Print: I will email you when you have won. You must respond within 48 hours.

Contest ends April 13, 2011 at Midnight (not that I will be awake)

Guidecraft Wooden Farm Animals: A Giveaway

We have acquire some farm animals.  OK  . . . wooden block farm animals.   They show up in random places.

They seem to like the fireplace the best.  I guess because it is warm.

And wherever the farm animals are, you are sure to find Gabe.

However, he often puts them into a time out, noses pressed to our school room fridge.

Or lines them up.

We have even tried feeding them.  Rather unsuccessfully.  They don’t like beans. I guess because I didn’t soak and sprout them?

What does Guidecraft has to say about their wooden blocks?

Block Mates are the all-new block play sensation that will revolutionize and revitalize the way that kids play with unit blocks. Slide the Block Mates onto a traditional-sized unit block to create fun play friends! Pieces slide on easily and fit snugly thanks to the patented "Slip-Grip" system! Match the colors to assemble familiar animals, or mix-and-match the pieces to create your very own! Block Mates create a whole new world of block play creativity and ignite the imagination while enhancing fine motor and color matching skills.

This unique version of a wooden block is geared towards ages 3+ (according to the website).  However, Gabe has enjoyed the farm animals the most, having received them at age 2 1/2.  (FYI)

Sir Honey Ezra (almost 5) randomly enjoys our farm animals . . . but typically only plays with them when Gabe is or in an attempt to stir up some strife with his younger brother.  Just sayin’.

What COULD you do with your farm animals?

• have your child take the animal “parts” on and off.  Great use of fine motor skills and coordination combined with some concentration.

• mix all the parts up on a box and have them separate according to head, feet, tail, etc.

• What’s wrong with this animal?  Have your child correct the three wrong pieces or simplify for younger children, and have one animal part in the wrong place.

• sort by color
• have a pretend animal race.  Using a dice, have your child roll the dice.  Whatever the number reveals, have the animal walk that many “steps” hops.  Winner animal receives some pretend food.
• have the child place the parts of each animal on separate wooden block as you relay the sound the animal makes.  So first, you would oink – on goes the head.  Then, you might neigh – on goes a horse body part on a different block and so on . . .
• study about each animal!  Read a book! 

Block Mate Wooden Farm Animals can be purchased at Guidecraft for $27 . . . but make sure you also order the set of 5 wooden blocks (an additional $15) or buy this fun set at Amazon starting at $20 (and it is an Amazon Mom product.)

And that’s my Guidecraft Mom review . . . but there’s more! 

Want to win a set of Block Mates Farm Animals?

 

 

(Mandatory) Tell me what your favorite animal is and why.

1. Become one of my fans through Google Connect if you aren't already! (It’s over there on your right . . . see all of the little people?)
2. What other wooden block animals does Guidecraft produce?
3. Tweet about this giveaway:  Guidecraft Wooden Farm Animals: A Giveaway http://t.co/DvKqC4x @GranolaMom4God
4. What did you have for breakfast?
5. Put my button on your blog.
6. Subscribe to my blog (I have a few other kid-related giveaways coming up).

Remember, only #1 is mandatory. The rest of the entries are optional, but you MUST comment separately for each one.

The Fine Print: I will email you when you have won. You must respond within 48 hours.

Contest ends March 28, 2011 at Midnight (not that I will be awake)

This toy was sent to me by Guidecraft.  In exchange, I gave an honest an free opinion of our thoughts regarding the Block Mate Farm Animals.

Guidecraft Cubes and Cylinders

For some reason I have a silly advertising jingle in my head . . .

“What would you do-oo with a klondike bar?!”

But I’ve changed it to, “What would you do-oo with some cubes and cylinders?!”

There are lots of things to do with the latest wooden toy we have been playing with from Guidecraft. 

These were wooden toys that were enjoyed by three very different little boys. 

I initially let them explore – especially Mr. Smiley, who particularly needs that kind of play to understand how his world works.

He had fun stacking the cylinders.

 

But he became a little baffled as to why they didn’t always stack easily.

I can’t tell you why . . . but it was much easier for him to organize the cubes.

 

And stack them.

Kind of.

Like any toddler he liked to fill the cubes,

. . . dump them, and try to fit other things inside of the cubes. 

Who wouldn’t?  I love tiny boxes!

  

So,  “What would you do-oo with some cubes and cylinders?!”

My ideas for these colorful, wood, non-toxic toys . . . .

• nesting
• stacking
• color sorting
• see how many beans or other object can fit inside each cube or cylinder
• have your child trace each cube or cylinder and then cut out and color them
• hide objects underneath them for your Toddler to discover
• have your child practice putting popsicle sticks inside each cube or cylinder (Starbucks no-spill sticks also work!) while you count
• use the cubes and cylinders to learn colors

And the best part?  Go win these great wooden toys over at Thanks, Mail Carrier, who is hosting a giveaway thanks to Guidecraft!  If you don’t win, you can purchase these fabulous wooden toys from the Guidecraft website for $20 or at Amazon for slightly cheaper. 

As a Guidecraft Mom blogger, this product was given to me for review purposes. I do not have to return the product to the vendor and I was not paid for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

_____________________

What’s in my house?  An e-course in fermentation, bible studies from Grapevine Studies, kitchen fun with Cultures for Health, and Nourished Kitchen for dinner, with a little help from the GAPS grain-free menu plan. Blend that with a  Vitamix.  

Guidecraft Rainbow Blocks

We recently received a set of wooden blocks.  But not just any wooden blocks, mind you.  Rainbow blocks from Guidecraft.  They had actually been on my wish list for Mr. Smiley. 

His brothers have some wooden blocks that are fun . . . but they aren’t very exciting to a two-year old.  They lack color and well . . . size.

  

Now, Smiley doesn’t do all the creative castles and flowers that his brothers make, but he loves to line all of the rainbow blocks up vertically.

______________

And I’m happy to let him explore gravity, create order, and have elementary concepts introduced to him in a fun way (i.e. colors and shapes).

I love the concentration and creativity that he displays when just allowed to have free play.

Most often, though, you will find Mr. Smiley playing peek-a-boo with his new Rainbow Blocks.

Meanwhile, his brothers like to stack the blocks,

make flowers, 

and sort.

Toys like this (that are open-ended), I simply allow my children to play.  I don’t provide a structure for them or a specific learning “moment” per sea, though I could have.  I’ve had opportunity. 

We have so many structured learning times throughout the day that I try to give them breaks to allow them to learn and explore on their own. 

I’m sure that some of the other Guidecraft Mom Bloggers will have some great ideas to share with you of other ways to play with the Rainbow Blocks, not to mention a giveaway over at Confessions of a Homeschooler starting today! 

You can purchase a 30 piece set (or larger) of rainbow blocks that feature the hardwood frame with soft, rounded edges and colored plexi interiors at Guidecraft for $60.   This toy is recommended for ages 3 and up, but as you can see, my two year old loved it!

Once again, a big thanks goes out to Guidecraft for allowing me to be a part of their Mom Bloggers Review Team.  I was not paid for this post nor do I have to return this colorful toy!  (My kids would be so upset at the mailman if I did!)

Giveaway #4 -- $20 in Toys! from www.ebeanstalk.com

I read an interesting article in Mothering last night about a couple who didn't register at the various baby stores when they were expecting. Instead, they encouraged friends to give them hand-me-downs, garage sale items, and lovingly used items. It is people like this that make me think.

When I was expecting my first child, I must admit that I looked forward to opening presents (but had to return many of them), acquiring the cutest new baby clothes (that weren't so cute after spit up), and gently placing all the brightly colored toys in a perfect little basket (not realizing that later the toys would be thrown, puked on, and be recalled).

At one shower, my friend Janine gave me one of her child's used lap pad and a few swaddling blankets. I thought it was odd (at the time). But let me tell you now, that those items rank among my most treasured. I have used them with all three of my children. Her present came with love washed into it!

Last year, I went to a clothing sale. I ended up purchasing several clothes from a woman because of the stories she could tell me about what her children did when wearing them. The smile and hint of laughter was delightful, and I felt good about what my child would wear.

But let's go back to Janine. When I was pregnant she used to tell me stories about wood toys. Wood toys under the Christmas tree. Wood toys that were durable. Wood toys that allowed open ended and imaginative play. Wood toys that inspired creativity. I thought that she had a love affair with wood toys. For a long time, I just didn't understand. (If you would recall it took me about 2 years to get on board with whole foods cooking and sprouting weird things! I can be a little thick headed.)

And then we were given a wood toy. Everything changed. I am officially a wood toy snob.

Why do I like wood toys so much? I like wood because

• they are durable
• they will last a long time, even to my grandchildren, should the Lord tarry
• they look nice in our house
• they allow your children to make the noise, not a battery
• they inspire creativity and open play (meaning there is more than one way to play with the toy)
• typically, they aren't made with toxic paint or plastic
• they don't leach
• and sometimes you can meet the woodcarver or support a local woodworker

So . . . let me introduce the 4th Birthday Bash giveaway. I specifically contacted
because not only do they have GREAT toys (including my two FAVORITE brands--Plan City Toys and Melissa and Doug), but they provide weekly parenting support emails that I have grown to value.

Now you may be feeling confused. I spent time reminiscing about used toys and now I'm going to offer you a $20 gift certificate from www.ebeanstalk.com for a NEW toy?

Yes.

Fickle is what I am.

However, finding a lovingly used wood toy is hard. People don't give them away. They keep them because they last. So, I'm encouraging you to start your own collection or add to your collection. By the way, $20 could purchase you some fun toys.

If I had $20 from ebeanstalk.com, I might get My Soft World Farm, Miracle Pounding, or the Stack and Sort Board for Mr. Smiley. For Mr. Me-Too I would probably keep Tot School in mind and supply him with Fit-A-Space, Who's In The Zoo, or Eggspressions. And lastly for Mr. Smackdown I would have fun buying Home Tweet Home, The Magic School Bus Human Body, and the Under the Sea puzzle.

Giveaway #4:
$20 gift certificate to purchase anything from www.ebeanstalk.com

RULES

Please, please, please . . .do not put more than one entry per comment. I will be using www.random.org to pick the winners. So if you would like for your comments to count, leave individual comments.

All options are worth 1 entry, unless otherwise stated.

1. (Mandatory) Visit ebeanstalk baby toys or baby gifts, and leave me a comment telling me which baby toy is your favorite.
   
2. Tweet about this giveaway, making sure to include @GranolaMom4God and leave a comment back at the blog.
   
3. Sign up for the ebeanstalk parent letter located on the right of ebeanstalk's home page and leave me a comment telling me you did so (I am counting on you being honest).
4. Purchase something from ebeanstalk and receive 5 extra entries. Be sure to leave 5 comments stating that you did buy one of ebeanstalk's items. Tell us what it was!
   
5. Discover what two toys ebeanstalk refuses to sell (email me these at thegranolamom4god.com) and I will give you credit.
6. Find another blog post I wrote about ebeanstalk and share with me something that you learned.
   
7. Put my blog, http://www.granolamom4god.com, on your blog roll in a continuously visible location, not just a blog post.
   
8. Grab my button and place it on your blog for all to see!
   

Remember, only #1 is mandatory. The rest of the entries are optional, but you MUST comment separately for each one, except for #5.

The Fine Print: I will email you when you have won. You cannot win more than one giveaway. I must have your email address to alert you to your prize. You can include that in your comment or email me separately at thegranolamom4god@gmail.com. You must respond within 24 hours.

Contest ends 10/1/09

Plan to Have Plan City Toys

I must admit that I have been guilty of coveting. I have been enticed, if not lured by the subliminal messages that melodically stream out of those bright, multicolored, battery powered toys often advertised on television.

Why, every child that plays with these plastic creations is happy! They appear to play with the toy for hours (or at least 30 seconds) and these supposedly educational toys promote early walking. That's good right? (For more information on the IMPORTANCE of crawling, read Crawling: Is it Important? by Madeleine Fitzpatrick.)

I clearly remember the first time my imaginary toy broke and I became aware of the deceiving depiction that plastic toys solve all the woes of young children. A former student's mom showed some surprise over my baby registry. She wanted to know where the wood toys were.

She shared fond memories of wood toys under her Christmas tree enabling hours of open-ended and delightful play that was not xeroxed the following day. She never felt like she was losing her mind, because there was no repetitive song that played. She didn't contribute to the landfill with toxic batteries (yes, I know that rechargeable batteries exist, but they don't last NEAR as long.) Her house didn't look like a toy store. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem admitting that children live in my house, but it is nice when the toys blend in with the furniture. And her toys, wood toys, could be passed down to her grandchildren because they were durable and not made with toxic chemicals that had been recalled 20 years prior.

So . . . my curiosity was tweaked. However, I learned too late of the wonderful world of wood toys. I had opened all of the presents from various baby showers.

I began asking for wood toys for each birthday and Christmas. Our first introduction to wood toys was from Plan City. We got the coolest wood Jeep track. Five years later, it is still one of our most used toys (and it has had a few additions!)

wood+toys plan+city+toys open+ended+imaginative+play ebeanstalk.com