Back to School

Like many families we know, this time of year is always extremely hectic for us. Organizing the house, getting school supplies, buying clothes, adapting to new schedules, selecting extracurricular activities and managing schedules, etc.

But I just had to take a moment to share one of my favorite items.  It helps me wind down and catch my breath.  It’s a tea.  But not just your ordinary, black tea.  It’s called Good Earth and it’s a spicy, sweet cup of yum.

This is what the box looks like now:

And here’s what it used to look like:

I sometimes have difficulty finding it in our local grocery stores, so I tend to stock up when I find it.  If you like tea, haven’t tried this one yet, and are looking for something new and flavorful, I highly recommend Good Earth (original blend). I only buy the bagged tea (with caffeine).  I’ve tried some of their other teas, but just don’t find them as satisfying.  There’s something special about this one.

Mmmmmmm…..

I’m off to make a cup right now.

…and the winner is…

The winner of our Kijiji-sponsored iTunes gift-card giveaway is…

Dawna, of The Daugherty Party. Her favorite iPhone app is Livestrong.com.

Congratulations, Dawna!!

The folks at Kijiji will contact you directly and send you your gift card.

Thank you, Kijiji and thanks to all the commenters and participants who sent emails.

______________________________

Remember, if you’re looking to buy or sell something, Kijiji may be helpful.  It’s a website for classified ads with local information.  Enter your zipcode and you’ll see oodles of categories from which to choose.

The iPhone app is easy to use, too.  You can search by category or by region to find everything from books to homes for sale.

A Chance to Win $25 on iTunes from Kijiji

Update: Contest ends August 23, 2009 at 11:59 pm (ET)!!

Due to my vacation, winner will be announced on or around September 5, 2009.

______________________________

Our regular readers know how much I love the iPhone and all of its 65,00+ applications.  Well, we were recently contacted by a company who will soon be releasing its iPhone app at an irresistible price — free!

And to promote their new app, they’re giving away $25 giftcards to iTunes.  All you* have to do to enter is leave a comment here or send me an email at soapboxmom (at) gmail (dot) com for a chance to win.  In that comment, tell us about your family’s (or your) favorite iPhone (iPod Touch) app.  We’ll notify the winner and Kijiji will send the giftcard directly to you! As always, be sure to leave a valid email address so we can contact you!

Now, here’s a little about Kijiji (is that not the coolest name?):

If you’re looking to buy or sell something, Kijiji may prove very helpful.  It’s a website for classified ads with local information.  Enter your zipcode and you’ll see oodles of categories from which to choose.

The iPhone app is easy to use, too.  You can search by category or by region to find everything from books to homes for sale.

Check it out and let us know what you think. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win that iTunes giftcard!

____________________________________________

*This giveaway is restricted to US residents only.  Giftcards will only be shipped within the continental United States.

School Year’s Eve

Are you getting caught up in all the back-to-school madness yet? Buying school supplies, school clothes or uniforms and gathering recipes to make great lunches?  Well, pause for a moment and check this out!

It’s called School Year’s Eve and it’s sponsored by Cookie Magazine and the PTA. They describe it as a chance for families and kids to start the back-to-school season right, with a kick-off party on August 30th before the school bell rings.  You know, it’s always a good idea to get the kids back together with their school friends (if they haven’t seen them over the summer) and who doesn’t love a good party? And if you decide to throw a party (and take pictures during the party), you could win $1500 for your school’s PTA!

It’s all in the spirit of fun!

The site includes downloadable party decorations, invitations, kid style advice, recipes and much more. Here’s the link to check it out: http://www.schoolyearseve.com.

The way I see it?

We are obligated to partake in all these back-to-school tasks, so why not make them a bit more fun?

Besides, those chocolate caramel cookies look delicious!

Consider Music as One of Your Kids’ Activities

Have you heard about Wanna Play Music?

We are music lovers in this house, so I suppose it’s not surprising that I love this website and its iPhone app!  I smile each and every time my kids pick up their instruments.  It’s one of those activities at the top of our list – one of the last we’re willing to cut when our kids seem overscheduled.

Wanna Play will help you locate music lessons and music stores in your area.  But that’s just the beginning. It will also introduce your children to many instruments, music terminology and more.

Explore the site.

More importantly, consider enrolling your child(ren) in music lessons.

Why? Consider the following:

Recent Gallup survey* results validated popular public sentiment around the benefits of playing a musical instrument, such as these:

• Helps a child develop creativity (97 percent total, 59 percent completely agree and 37 percent strongly agree)
• Helps develop teamwork skills (96 percent total, 51 percent completely agree and 45 percent strongly agree)
• Helps a child’s overall intellectual development (94 percent total, 45 percent completely agree and 49 percent strongly agree)

Aside from these benefits of creativity, teamwork skills, and intellectual development, music lessons for children also have proven to increase their:

• Relaxation from stress
• Motivation to make friends
• Academic ability
• Discipline
• Interest in staying in school

The survey also found that an overwhelming 85 percent of Americans who do not play a musical instrument say they wish they had learned to play, and seven in 10 polled said they would like to learn to play a musical instrument.

Can you imagine a world without music?

I’d rather not.

I’m glad this organization exists.  I hope you’ll find it beneficial.

_____________________________

*Poll conducted on behalf of NAMM.

Have You Seen Zoochini?

If not, you really should check it out!

If you’re in the market for adorable, chic children’s items, Zoochini is worth a look.  My older daughter loves monkeys, so I’ve seen many stuffed monkeys.  When I saw Zoochini’s monkey I let out an audible “Awww!”  Look at this:

We also love their bath wrap.

We would like to see a wider variety of products, but for unique designs (available online and at specialty retailers) Zoochini gets a thumbs up from me and my family. If you have older kids, consider these items as gifts.

Predictions for Nintendo

In case you haven’t heard any of these yet, here’s IGN’s video presenting its predictions for the coming year for Nintendo.

What do you think?

We’re still hoping for Luigi’s Mansion 2 on Wii (with a completely different game not just a goofy redux of the GameCube game!).

Super Mario Bros Coming to Wii!!

My daughter, Soapbox Gal, found this video for the soon-to-be-released Super Mario Bros game on Wii.  Four players can play simultaneously.

We loved this game on DS, so we eagerly await the arrival of this game.

Wahoo!!!

Now…what about the sequel to Luigi’s Mansion????!!! Wiimake?  New Play Control!?  Please?  Better still, just a straight Wii Luigi’s Mansion 2. I know we’re not the only ones who feel this way…

Preview Super Mario Galaxy 2!!

Soapbox Guy found this trailer for the upcoming Wii game sequel to our all time favorite game, Super Mario Galaxy.  Here it is!!

Look for it sometime in 2010 (we hear something like 537 days from June 3, 2009).

The DoGood App for iPhone and iPod Touch

Last week, I spotted a tiny little paragraph in my copy of the New York Times that mentioned an iPhone app called “DoGood.” Its tagline is “365 collective acts of kindness.” Users touch the app every day to get a suggested kindness to be performed.  For example, today’s DoGood suggests that users “organize a family dinner.”  Specifically,

“Eat dinner with whomever you consider your family, at the same table, with all distractions (TV, etc) turned off.”

After performing the DoGood, you click on a “done” button and the app keeps track of your progress.  You can add comments about your experience to share with other users and read comments left by other users.  The bottom of the screen includes a button for statistics and an out-box for Old DoGoods.  To date, the record day for DoGoods was July 6, when the suggested DoGood was to “smile at a stranger.”

Bottom line?  DoGood is a relatively simple application with a potentially significant impact on your family’s sense of civility and community service.  In recent years, I’ve noticed a marked decline in both, so I welcome this app.

Check it out.  Then let me know what you think.