Peekaru Giveaway (closed)

  Thing are slowing down here...I think?? Does anything slow down when you have 3 kids?? Anyways, I'm really excited  do this giveaway. I've been waiting since winter to do it! So here it is, the Peekaru Original giveaway!

 I actually came across one of these in Kid To Kid, but it was too big. I thought it was one of the COOLEST articles of clothing for baby wearing parents! So I contacted TogetherBe to see if they would let me try it out and do a giveaway. They are so sweet over there and they replied so quickly.

 So sorry for the snow pictures, who wants to see that right now!! (sigh) When I got the vest, I tried it on right away over my Ergo carrier. It was kind of awkward to put on by myself at first. The hardest part I had was zipping it all the way up on the side. After wearin it a couple of times, it has become easier. I LOVED that I was able to put it on over my winter coat. I first tested it on a cold, windy Alaskan day. It kept the wind off of Kora, but I probably should of put warmer clothes on her because the vest is not thick enough. These vests are "high quality Polartec fleece" but I think it was too cold for her that day and we went back inside. It took 30 mins to get all the winter gear on all the kids and me and we only stayed out there 10 mins! Ugh. They need to invent a suit that has boots, mittens, hat, long under and snowsuit connected!! I bet the Peekaru Soft Shell would of been better for that kind of weather. I think I might invest in the soft shell for next winter.

 I did wear it several times when it wasn't as cold or windy. It worked great and kept her warm. She fell asleep in it several times. A friend borrowed the giveaway one to try it out. (It's the green one pictured above.) She is carrying a newborn in there. =) The newborn stayed toasty while mommy got to play with her toddler. It was a fun day of sledding and skiing for the kids!

 You can also turn the vest around and wear it on the back!  "It fits comfortably over all carriers, including Baby Bjorns, Hotslings, Ergos, Mei Tais, and Wraps."  I haven't worn it turned around yet because Kora is just getting to the age where I can wear her on my back. There is also a little pocket to keep your keys or id in on the side of the vest. The only thing I wish this had was hand pockets. I LOVE to put my hands in pockets and was bummed when I didn't have anywhere to put them. Other then that, this is a GREAT product for Alaskan parents! I keep it in the car even in the summer because sometimes it gets a little cool.

Oh and just FYI, if you order one because you don't win, they run a little big. I wear large shirts and can fit into the medium vest with a fleece jacket.

 Want to win the green medium one? Just leave a comment with a way to contact you. Oh and you have to be from Alaska. =)

Nina's Beanies and Bows Giveaway (closed)

There are so many accessories out there for little kids! Ill be the first to admit, I'm not the best person to coordinate and pick them out. So my little girls are generally in comfortable clothes and no accessories.  Nina, from Nina's Beanies and Bows has created some great hats and accessories to go with them that are interchangeable! What a great idea, especially for someone like me or even the fashonista who has different accessories for every outfit for their kids!


Please tell us about yourself and how you started your business:
I am a local designer from Anchorage, Alaska. I stay busy working from home and feel grateful for the opportunity to be home with my children. I am the mother of two little girls that are my inspiration for everything I create. Last year I began making bows and accessories for them and found it to be a fun challenge and relaxing at the same time. I caught the ‘crafting bug’ quickly and wanted to coordinate every outfit they owned! It just wasn't practical to have that many hats so I decided to make all my bows and flower clips interchangeable. Not only are the combination possibilities endless but pieces could be worn alone in the hair or clipped to a headband and cleaning the hats when needed was easy. Last summer my daughters’ collection of hair clips was overflowing but I was hooked on making them so I began to give them as gifts. Soon after that I started to receive requests for custom pieces and was encouraged to go into business by my friends and family. I started with a few Craigslist ads and one day I received a call from the owner of Sweet Adeline's Children’s Store asking if I’d be interested in carrying my products in her store. I have been truly blessed with success I never imagined possible and I can’t wait to see how my business will continue to develop over the coming years! I absolutely love creating each and every piece! I could never choose a favorite and I feel it shows in the quality of my work.


Where can I purchase these products?
Currently my products can be found on my Facebook business page https://www.facebook.com/ninasbeaniesandbows and at Sweet Adeline’s Children’s Store in Anchorage in the Huffman Square (1120 Huffman Road Ste #4)

What do you love about Alaska?
Summertime is my favorite time in Alaska! I love sitting on our swing in the backyard watching my girls blow bubbles and giggling as they chase them around the yard. Summertime means visiting different parks in town, grilling outside and just enjoying the fresh air. But what I love most about Alaska is the sense of community and ability to achieve anything you put your mind to. I think it’s a great place to raise my children and I can’t imagine doing it anywhere else.

Too cute right?! Just have boys? You can join in on the fun, she offers boys embroidered beanies! Nina is going to let the winner choose a beanie and you get to choose the color and style as well! Here are the rules:

1. Must live in Alaska.
2. Leave a comment on what kind of hat you would get with your email address, and that's it!

A winner will be chosen randomly Monday night! Good luck!!

Sweet Adeline's Children Store (Closed)

Have you visited the cool, Eco-friendly Sweet Adeline's Children Store here in Anchorage? If not, you gotta get in there! Jessica, the owner, has some way cool things to look and play with! Talk about community, this store has it going on! She sells several products made locally, offers affordable classes for the wee ones, and is constantly giving back to the community.

 She sells several of our giveaway items there, so if you didn't win, get down there and buy it! The thing I love about this store is the unique "green" items. Each product is carefully picked out and are BPA, Phthalates, or PVC free.

 Doesn't the picture of the store look inviting to parents with small ones! They can actually play while you shop, I love that!
 What about the art classes? They are 4 week sessions that cost $8-$20 and are for ages 18 months to 10 year olds. She is offering French classes there as well. There is still room for the art classes this summer so sign your child up today!

We are doing a giveaway from Sweet Adeline's, wahoo!!!

A sweet bunny puppet, bun glaze, and rubbit oil.

A bear happy blankie and some bubbly soap ( I gotta go get my kids some of this!)

Here are the rules:

1. Must live in Alaska

2. Leave a comment telling me if you have been to Sweet Adeline's yet and if so what is your favorite product.

3. Be sure to leave your email address, anonymous WILL be counted. =)

A winner will be chosen on Monday, good luck!

Happy Bottoms Diaper Service Giveaway (closed)

It's been awhile, so sorry! Gotta get back in the game!!

For awhile now I've wanted to try cloth diapers, but couldn't fork up the money without knowing I would like it. I contacted Theresa, owner of Happy Bottoms Diaper Service, for a trial run. If you want to get into cloth, this is a great way to test it out without spending hundreds of dollars first. Check out what the Risk Free Trial includes.

Theresa came to my house and taught me the basics of cloth diapering to get me started. Cloth diapering can be overwhelming at first, but Theresa was so warm and kind. I never felt dumb for asking questions and not knowing. She was an email or phone call away if I had a question, the task didn't seem to daunting knowing that. She helped set up everything and then left...here I go!

I have to admit, the first change I was kind of grossed out. I didn't grab it correctly so it was very wet. But how many times have I had to grab something that was gross with kids? Soaked bed sheets, blow out diaper, throw up on kid and MY clothes, the list goes on! So I continued on.

It took me a couple of days to get in the swing of things but I actually started liking it! The BEST part is I got to put all the diapers and wipes together and send it with Theresa to be washed. I didn't have to touch it!! I was worried about the smell, but there wasn't any. Unless I'm just so used to the smell of 3 kids. =) Every Monday morning, I would put my red bag with dirty diapers and wipes on the front porch, then Theresa would pick it up and leave me fresh, clean diapers! Now THAT'S service!

I hear all the time how cute babies are in cloth and now I believe them! This is not the only reason why I feel in love with cloth diapering. Saving on money in the long run is a HUGE plus for me. I changed her diapers far more then when she had a disposable on. I have to admit I would think, "this disposable diaper is barely wet" so I wouldn't change it. With cloth, I didn't feel like I was out money. Or how about when you go to change baby and they pee on the new one. Really? I barely got any use out of that one! I feel like that's all I'm doing is buying diapers! So its great know that with cloth, it just needs to be washed and reused again.

It was great thinking that I wasn't throwing another diaper into a landfill. I was making the earth a little better for my kids. I'm concerned with all the chemicals now days going into our bodies, especially my little ones. I loved knowing that there was no foreign chemicals going into my babies body.

I started afraid to cloth and now I'm working on buying them! It was SO worth trying it out with Happy Bottoms Diaper Service! Theresa offers a great service that you can have part or full time! Just think, you don't have to launder diapers, someone does it for you! You don't have to make midnight runs to the store for more diapers because you used the last one!

I HIGHLY recommend using Happy Bottoms Diaper Service. Theresa is a mom to a little one so she understands a lot and she uses the product herself! She has a pretty wicked sense of humor, which I like! Humor and service!

Theresa donated 2 $50 gift certificates for a giveaway! You can use it towards the service or buy something for the store.

Want to win? Please follow the rules!

1. You must live in Alaska.

2. Visit the "About Us" page and then comment on how you would use the gift certificates

3. Leave an email address so I can get a hold of you, no way of contacting you, your comment will not be counted!. Thanks!

Ill randomly pick 2 winners Monday evening!

Easter Goodness!!

Here is a list off the happenings around the State! If you know of any others please add them to the comments!

Anchorage

The Great Cloth Diaper Change-APDEA Union Hall--SAT
Come celebrate Earth Day and the day before Easter setting a world record! We will be chaning cloth diapers all at once! Please pre-register. If you do not have cloth, come on out, we will have some on hand for loan. There will be a silent auction to benefit For The Love of Lauren!

Easter Egg Hunt- Park N Play FREE --SAT

There will be toys, candy,Easter baskets, chocolate rabbits, free passes and more so don't miss out we will open at 9AM sharp for hunt should last about 15 to 20 minutes so don't be late. Doors will open at 8:30 to Lobby however entrance to play area  for hunt will start promptly at 9AM

Community Easter Egg Hunt- Sand Lake Baptist Church --SAT
Huge outdoors Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 0 Through 5th Grade. Tons of prizes (H2Oasis passes, Bicycles, The Cage batting coupons, Dino's Donut coupons, Jewell Lake Bowling, Thousands of candy filled eggs, Tastee-Freeze ice cream, and toys). Free Hot Dogs and cookies after the hunt. Free pictures with the bunny. Separate area for the toddlers.

Eggstravaganza- Lidia Selkregg Chalet --SAT
Watch out for bouncing bunnies as you join in on some spring-themed arts and crafts, outdoor games, and an egg hunt. Egg Hunt Schedule:
1st Hunt: 3-5 yrs, 1:00p
2nd Hunt: 3-5 yrs, 2:00p
3rd Hunt: 6-12 yrs, 3:00p
For ages 3-12 yrs. Pre-registration strongly recommended. $2 per child 343-6992

Easter Bunny-Dimond Mall
Visit the Easter Bunny by the Gap entrance. Mon-Thurs 11a-8p Fri & Sat 10a-8p Pay to get pictures.

Alaska Railroad Easter Train-Anchorage Historic Depot--SAT
Climb aboard the Alaska Railroad’s Easter Train for a special run from Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley. Riders will delight in a special visit from none other then the Easter Bunny, who will be on board to visit with the children and pass out Easter treats and other surprises along the way.  Don Russel the magician will also be along for the ride to keep the kids (and kids at heart) entertained. Every rider will enjoy the panoramic view from the Alaska Railroad’s glass-domed cars. It will be an Easter to remember! $49 for adults and $19 for children 11 and under.

Eagle River/Chugiak
Easter Egg Hunt-Eagle River Lions Park --SUN FREE
Four age groups: 0-3; 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12; 1pm start Eggs & Bikes given away! The Eagle River FIRE Truck blows whistle at 1:00 pm sharp!

Community Easter Egg Hunt-Mirror Lake Middle School --SAT FREE
Donation of Food for ER Food Pantry accepted.

Wasilla/Palmer
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny-Wasilla Senior Center
Pancake Breakfast with The Easter Bunny. Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Picture in include in the price, $5 per person, $20 per family

Easter Egg Hunt-First Baptist Church of Wasilla--SAT
10am at the church

Easter Egg Hunt-Big Lake Baptist Church--SAT
From 1-2:30 at the church for kids ages 1 through 5th grade.

Girdwood
Easter at Alyeska Resort--SUN
Easter Egg Hunt - 9:15 am in the Pond Courtyard

Kenai
Community Easter Egg Hunt-Abundant Life Assembly of God
Hunt starts at 2p on church grounds for kids preschool through 6th grade.

Seward
Little Kids Easter Egg Hunt-Forest Acres Park--SAT
Starts at 3pm

Stylin Stitches Diaper Derby
Saturday, April 23rd from 10:00am to 11:30am at the Sports & Rec Gym - another fun event with surprises provided by the young contestants all newborns and toddlers up to 24 months old are invited to “show us their stuff” in over 10 categories! Sorry no on-site registration, deadline to enter is Wed, Apr 21

Fairbanks
Easter Egg Hunt-Santaland RV Park--SAT
11:00 a.m. North Pole Community Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by New Hope Methodist-Presbyterian Church to benefit New Hope Church School. Held at Santaland RV Park in North Pole, 11 am sharp. $1 donation per child. Bring small gathering basket. Filled eggs, prizes, free cookies.

Indoor Community Easter Egg Hunt-J.P. Jones Community Center--SAT
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. J.P. Jones Community Development Center 2400 Rickert, Off 24th and Cushman** The Easter Bunny Will Be On Hand Giving Out Candy** Free: Indoor Egg Hunt, Hotdogs, Popcorn, Cookies, Prizes **Come On Out and Have a Hopping Good Time** Sponsored by area businesses and organizations For More Info Contact 378-3440

See Meez Kidz Giveaway (closed)

Do you ever see products and think "Genius! Why didn't I think of that!" That's how I feel about See Meez Kidz! They have cute hoodies and hats with reflective tape in it, which is GREAT for fall Alaskan days when we start losing all that light. I think this is so great especially in the fall when kids are playing outside. Who wants to wear a bright orange safety vest to be seen? I have 3 items to give away so read on to learn about this awesome product and learn how to win! Here is a pic of my son in his hat, warm, cute and reflective!

Please tell us about yourself and why you started the business.
My husband and I noticed a lot of people walking and bicycling in the long hours of darkness here in Alaska. We noticed how easily most of these people were not visible, even with automobile headlights and street lights. I especially watch for the children. Here in Alaska the winters are long with extended periods of darkness. We noticed that state, government and blue-collar workers were always wearing reflective clothing.  So, we wondered if there was fashionable reflective wear for everybody, especially children.  We researched the availability of reflective clothing and we were unable to find what we were looking for.

I saw an opportunity because my husband has worn safety gear for the last 20 years. I am more alert to reflective materials in general because of this. When you take the time to look around you see it on all kinds of things, like school buses, police cars, fire trucks, stop signs and even street signs.
  I looked for everyday clothing with safety in the design. I found nothing that fit the bill. I purchased some 3M “Scotchlite” Reflective Material and with the help of some dear friends started to make what I wanted. The idea was born, a product that provides 360 degrees of safety with 100% comfort.
Now I needed a name and that is cute. The name See Meez came from our then three-year old granddaughter, who always says “see me, see me” when she wants to be noticed or picked up.  Wow! That phrase was perfect for what we had in mind-practical, fashionable clothing with an emphasis on night safety. “Flashionable”
Finally, after over 3 years of research on reflective products, their versatility in clothing application and then coming up with some fun styles, I have started out with simple pieces with the anticipation of adding many more wonderful items. After a while we had enough to hand out and ask people what they thought of them,we were told we should be selling these things, so here we are. I hope everyone enjoys both the comfort and peace of mind “See Meez™’ brand “Flashionable™” apparel and accessories has to offer.

Where do I get these products?
See Meez products are available on line @ http://www.flashionable.com/. We are currently shopping local consignment opportunities in the Anchorage and Wasilla. We attend most local trade shows and are also sold through High country Kennels and Mushing events throughout Alaska. We donate headgear to local elementary schools, the willow jr.. dog mushing association, and vets helping heros.

What do you love about Alaska?
the challenging lifestyle

So here are the 3 clothing items that I am giving away!



This is a kids large hoodie. Notice the reflective tape on the sleeves? I had my 4 year old model them, great faces huh? A cool giveaway AND entertainment!

This is a kids large hat! My son wears a small and he still has room to grow in it. This has cool cross bones on it. Notice the reflective tape around the brim?

Yes, my son is wearing a girls jacket, don't tell my husband. =) Isn't it too cute! It has hearts on it. This is a kids small zip up hoodie. Notice the reflective tape around the arm cuffs. They actually have girls hoodies, the tape is thicker and is placed where you can see it better.








These are all handmade and great quality!! If you don't win one, be sure to buy one! I think they are very affordable. So you want to try and win one? Here are the rules:

1. Must live in Alaska
2. Follow our blog (Anonymous will not be counted)
3. Comment on which one you would like to be entered to win, WITH an email address that I can contact you with. (You can enter to win all 3 =))

The winner will be chosen randomly on Monday night, good luck!

Simply Saying Vinyl Giveaway (closed)

Seems like vinyl is all the rage right now. You can do some amazing and cute things with it! Kaye from Simply Saying Vinyl has some really cool projects that you can add to your home. This family est. sign is what Kaye is going to giveaway! Of course picture your last name. =) There are some many different fonts and colors to choose from! Be sure to visit her site! Kaye is offering 30% off items from her new catalog till the end of April if you mention Alaska's Kids! Let's learn more about her!

Please tell us about yourself and why you started your business:

 I am from Sunny& Warm Arizona.  I moved up to Alaska when I got married 4 1/2 years ago.  After a year of living here I noticed that people up here really hadn't heard of vinyl lettering and everything you can do with it.  It was kinda weird to me because it is was/and still is a pretty popular thing in the lower 48.  So I decided to take the plunge and start my own business.  I wanted to have vinyl in my home and decided what better way to get vinyl up here in Alaska than to do it myself.

Where can I purchase your products?

 I just launched my catalog on my website this last month and you can order your products directly from me by either calling or emailing.

What do you love about Alaska?

What I love about ALASKA....has to be the summers!!  I love the outdoors and enjoy camping, fishing, hiking with my family.  I am also finding things to help get through the winters and just took up cross country skiing with my husband and 3 1/2 year old...hate to admit it but my 3 1/2 year old is probably much better than me...but it is still really fun to get out and do something during the winter.

Make sure to visit Kaye's site and check out all the cool products! She also holds a Girls Night Out if you want to get some friends together and make your own item! We did this as a Moms Night Out and had so much fun!

Want to win a personalized family sign?
1. you must live in Alaska
2. you must be a follower of the blog
3. leave a comment and please be sure to have a way to contact you, anonymous will not be counted!

The winner will be chosen randomly on Monday evening! Good luck! Dont forget, if you dont win and want one of these cool signs, Kaye is offering 30% off to you if you order something from her catalog and mention Alaskas Kids!!