Google+ Callista's Ramblings

Friday, January 25, 2013

5 Things I Have Learned From Being a Girl Guide Leader

I’ve been a Girl Guide leader for 10 years and helped out with units before that. I’ve worked with Sparks (ages 5-6), Brownies (ages 7-8) and Guides (ages 9-11) and currently work with all three. I’ve learned lots of things from my volunteer work with Girl Guides.

5 Things I Learned From Being a Girl Guide Leader

  1. The Importance of Every Child Having an Adult They Can Trust. In an ideal family, the child can trust the parents with their problems, secrets and feelings. Sometimes that isn’t the case and even if it is, sometimes the child finds it too hard to talk to the parent about private issues. That’s where knowing other adults who have gained the child’s trust come in handy. I’ve listened to girls problems a few times or have even just given them a knowing look when we both know what’s going on but no words are exchanged. I do my duty if it comes to disclosing abuse but otherwise, if no one is getting hurt, I’m there for them, to just listen, or give advice if they want.
  2. How to Make Mundane Tasks Fun. Your child despises cleaning bathrooms, going grocery shopping with you, doing dishes and the like. Yet they do it willing at Girl Guides and camp. Why? We make it fun. Part of it is doing it in a group. Part of it is that they helped cook first so clean-up doesn’t seem as bad. Grocery shopping is made fun by making it a scavenger hunt. “This is our list, find the items.” “Which margarine would you choose and why?” This is followed by explaining your choice and why you choose it. And so on.
  3. Every Child Really IS Different. We have all learned that we are all unique but yet we often expect each child to behave in the same way or have the same level of responsibility or knowledge as other children his or her age.  Children (and adults) are not just different in skill level but in personality and ideals too. Some children really can’t sit still for 20 minutes. They aren’t misbehaving, their bodies are not made that way. Some children cannot focus on more than one instruction at a time. It’s not that they are not paying attention, their brain does not work that way. Different children require different expectations.
  4. How to Help the Homesick. At our overnights, we often get a child or even a few, who are homesick. They miss their family, miss their home, miss their pets. It can range from mild moping to full on hysterical crying. Our policy is not to send the child home unless they cannot be consoled at all and it’s been tried for awhile. We do this because the only way to overcome homesickness is to go away from home. Since I used to get homesick when I was younger (and still sometimes do,) I have learned some tricks to help those who are homesick such as drawing them a picture for when they go home, thinking of how proud they will be when they make it and even telling my story of homesickness.
  5. How to Make Learning Fun. At Girl Guides, the girls complete program which earns them badges. We don’t want Girl Guides to be just like school so we don’t give them worksheets to complete or essays to write. We try to keep paper work to a minimum and even then it usually involves games or puzzles somehow. The girls learn best by DOING. So we do Science Experiments, play games, make crafts, engage in drama and go on field trips.

I’ve learned more than that, way more than that. I love being a Girl Guide Leader and highly recommend you get the women and girls in your family involved in Guiding/Scouting in your country.

The Winter Blogathon 2013 Has Officially Begun!

blogathonwinter[2]Wooohoo!

A whole weekend devoted to blogging, my kind of paradise! It’s time for the third blogathon hosted by me from one of my other blogs, Biannual Blogathon Bash. It’s not too late to join! If you want to work on your blogging to-do list sometime this weekend with support, mini challenges and prizes, click on over!

This is my official kick off post to mark that I am starting work on my blog. Some of it you may see and lots of you won’t as I have behind the scenes work to do. I am also not only working on this blog. I will be working on:

and deciding the fate of and if keeping, working on

I have a LOT I want to accomplish, including but not limited to:

  1. Decide fate of blogs mentioned above
  2. Make up blogging binder/planner and organize myself (this will take a LONG WHILE)
  3. Write up as many reviews as I can (at least 5)
  4. Do sponsored posts (2 I think)
  5. Update kathleengarber.com
  6. Brainstorm ideas for Bloggers Building Bridges
  7. Update Google+
  8. Transfer Callista’s Ramblings to Wordpress
  9. Plan Editorial Calendar for all blogs
  10. Brainstorm Content Pieces

You can track our progress on twitter by watching the #blogathon2 hashtag. Or better yet, if you are a blogger, join us! You don’t have to commit to the whole weekend and there are lots of different things you could do!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

GIVEAWAY: Pepto Bismol Kit–CAN–01/12

Pepto Bismol Giveaway

We may not like to admit it but with the holidays can come bathroom issues. Pepto Bismol is there for you. I have 10 small kits worth $15 to give away. The Kit includes everything seen above:
  • Set of pink oven mitts
  • Pink Spatula
  • $3.00 Off coupon for Pepto Bismol
This giveaway is open to Canadians only but with 10 winners, you have a great chance of winning. Who doesn’t need more pink in their kitchen??

This giveaway is open to residents of Canada Only 18+. Giveaway is open until Jan 12 2013 11:59 PM EST. By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a P&G PR Agency for the purpose of mailing your prize.

Use the rafflecopter form below to enter. A copy of the giveaway rules are on the rafflecopter form. Entering the giveaway means you have read and agree to the rules. If you need help, email me at callistasramblings AT cogeco DOT ca

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Waterbabies are Back and They Have Dreams (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

Waterbabies Dream to Be a Princess

Did YOU Have a Waterbaby Growing Up?

2012giftguideI did. I remember her fondly. Emily was her name I’m pretty sure (I had lots of babies.) I loved that she was heavy like a real baby and had soft skin. I loved filling her up and feeling warmth when I held her. I’m not sure what happened to her, I must have gotten rid of her when I grew up.

Waterbabies are BACK!

They are smaller than before but still the lovable, water filled babies they used to be. They also now have dreams of what they want to be when they are older.

Waterbabies Dream to Be

This is now what they are called and each one dreams to be something different and comes with clothing to match. The one pictured above dreams of being a princess. Some others are below.

Dream to Be a Soccer Star

waterbabiessoccer

Dream to Be Fabulous

waterbabiesfabulous

How to Use

Simply remove the clothing, open the valve and insert the included funnel. Fill with warm water, replace seal and clothing and you are ready to go! Replace water every so often.

Waterbabies are sold at most retailers that sell toys including Toys R Us and Walmart.

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative in exchange for this post. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

At Home Spa Gifts from Bliss

Bliss For Immediate Relief blissworld.com

2012giftguideBliss started out as a Spa which blossomed into more and then came Bliss Spa products to get a spa like experience at home.

Bliss products are available at blissworld.com, Sephora, The Bay and TheBay.com.

Dry Skin?

Suds + Butter in Berry Bubbly from BlissTry NEW Raspberry Champagne Body Butter (6.7oz for $32). Body butter is great for dry skin, it’s so thick and creamy.

You can buy it separately or get it in one of Bliss’s special holiday kits:

Suds + Butter ($35)

Body Butter plus Soapy Suds and a loofa in one of three scents.

You “Butter”" Watch Out ($43)

Three Body Butters in all three available scents.

Other Kits available right now are:

The Bod Squad from BlissThe “Bod” Squad ($72)

“a quartet of our most "’spa’-pular below-the-neck blends”

  • lemon+sage body butter
  • lemon+sage body scrub
  • fatgirlslim
  • high intensity hand cream

Best in ‘Glow’ $83 (Sephora Exlusive)

“a quartet of our most ‘spa’-pular formulas for face.”

  • triple oxygen instant energizing mask
  • fabulous foaming face wash
  • triple oxygen+c energizing cream
  • fabulips softening lip balm

Plus Others

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative in exchange for this post. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Yo Gabba Gabba! Music is Awesome Vol 4 (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

2012giftguideWhen I first say Yo Gabba Gabba I was caught off guard and thought it was weird. I steered my kids away from it at first because it was different but slowly the songs caught my attention and I liked how it was different. No soft baby like music, this was like R&B for kids.

What is Yo Gabba Gabba?

“Yo Gabba Gabba! is an award-winning, live-action television series and live stage show (tour dates below) whose unconventional formula has created a triple stacked fan base, making it one of the most popular entertainment properties among preschoolers, parents and indie music lovers alike. Yo Gabba Gabba! is created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz and is produced by The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN Entertainment. Yo Gabba Gabba! airs seven days a week on Nick Jr. and in several major territories”

My kids don’t watch Yo Gabba Gabba too much, mostly because it’s not on the channel they watch the most but also because they are getting older but I do think it’s a catchy show and I like the songs.

The newest Yo Gabba Gabba music CD recently came out and would be a great gift for a Yo Gabba Gabba music lover.

YO GABBA GABBA! Music is Awesome!: Volume 4 Track Listing:

1. Yo Gabba Gabba! - Live Show Intro Remix
2. Biz Markie - Pancakes & Syrup
3. Yo Gabba Gabba! - That Is What Friends Are For
4. The Roots - We Have Fun
5. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Teamwork
6. Peter, Bjorn & John - I Wish I Was A Spy
7. CSS - Dinosaur Dinosaur
8. Yo Gabba Gabba! - Mixing Up Colors Remix
9. Rocket From The Crypt - He's A Chef Yo Gabba Gabba Music is Awesome Vol 4
10. Yo Gabba Gabba! -Balloons (Live Show Version)
11. George Clinton - Atomic Frogs
12. Cut Copy - Fantastic Voyages
13. Yo Gabba Gabba! - Dinosaurs Are Really Really
14. YMCK - Fruit Song
15. Yo Gabba Gabba! - Let's Be Awesome While We Wait
16. Metric - Everybody Has A Talent
17. The Aquabats – Share
18. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Summertime
19. Belle & Sebastian - You Can Do It If You Try
20. Yo Gabba Gabba! - Clean It Up
21. Mariachi El Bronx - Friends Can Make You Smile
22. The Bird And The Bee - Cover Your Mouth
23. Yo Gabba Gabba! - Rest Up
24. Paco – Listen
25. Digital Unicorn - Green Remix

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative in exchange for this post. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Duracell Instant Charger (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

2012giftguideYou know that moment when you aren’t home and you won’t be for a while but your phone is dead or dying and you need to be able to use it? Yeah it happens to everyone.  It sucks. Let’s be honest.

I don’t even rely on my phone as much as some others since I don’t as of yet have a smartphone but I feel lost without my clock and an easy way to communicate with my husband. You can also use it with your ipod or other small devices you can charge with USB.

At the P&G Mom Event I attended in October we were shown a new product from Duracell, called an Instant Charger. I was blown away.

duracellinstantcharger

It works like this:

  1. Plug it in to your computer at home using USB cable and allow it to charge (it took around an hour or so.)
  2. Place it in your purse, bag or car along with the cord you use to charge your phone with USB.
  3. When you are out and your phone is dead or drying, plug it into the charger and turn the switch to on and it will charge your phone! We tested it out with my mom’s phone which gained 35% in a little over an hour.  You can still use the phone while it charges if you need to and you can charge it just enough to tide you over till you get home if you want.
  4. After use, when you are at home again, recharge up the instant charger so it’s ready for the next time you need it.

What a great invention!

The Instant Charger retails at $44.99  and offers up to 35 hours but there is also the pocket charger which offers up to 15 hours and retails for $29.99

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

MLP: Friendship is Magic–Adventures in the Crystal Empire(Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

2012giftguideMy Little Pony: Friendship is Magic continues the stories with the newest DVD Adventures in the Crystal Empire.

Here we meet the Crystal ponies of the Crystal Empire who are in danger. They are located in the arctic North of Equestria and Princess Celestia needs Twilight and her friends to help them.

As with any of the MLP: Friendship is Magic movies, the story is full of twists and turns, bad ponies and good ponies, and friendship and lessons learned. I will freely admit that I enjoy watching the My Little Pony movies with my girls although I do wish the new ponies weren’t so skinny.

My-Little-Pony-Adventures-In-The-Crystal-Empire

In addition to the two episodes that make up The Crystal Empire storyline, there is also three other episodes on this DVD:

  • Sonic Rainboom
  • Luna Eclipsed
  • It’s About Time

Plus a BONUS Coloring sheet and Sing Along.

Find out more From MyLittlePony.com

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative in exchange for this post. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Hold On Scooby Doo! Game (Holiday Gift Guide 2012)

2012giftguideIf you are looking for a gift idea for your young Scooby Doo fan (or just game fan) you might consider Hold On Scooby Doo! A wall of bricks is holding up Scooby  Doo and Shaggy.

The game reminds me of a mixture of Jenga and Don’t Break the Ice.

Players take turns using a spooky green hand to push out the bricks one at at time. Decide carefully which block to knock out or the wall will come tumbling down, along with Scooby-Doo and Shaggy. You don’t want to be the one to make the wall come down!

Hold On Scooby Doo

The Game comes with the wall frame, 44 bricks, the Scooby-Doo/Shaggy Figurine, 2 ghost hands and rules. For 2 players or can be played in teams.

You do have to put together the frame first but it’s quite simple. Just snaps the sides into the base and add the stickers on front and back. The instructions for game set up and play are easy to understand.

I wouldn’t recommend letting your younger kids play with this on their own as if they lose the bricks, it gives an unfair edge to the game for future plays. So until my kids can keep their stuff organized and clean, they will be playing this at the kitchen table with supervision.

From Creator RP Toys - Retail Value: $25 – Ages 5+

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Simpsons: The Fifteenth Season on DVD

2012giftguideThe Simpsons, while in its 24th season on TV, just released Season 15 on DVD and Blu-ray in time for the holidays. It makes a great gift for the Simpsons lover in your family.

Season 15 contains episodes from 2003-2004

Episode List:

  • Treehouse of Horror XIV"
  • "My Mother the Carjacker"
  • The President Wore Pearls"
  • "The Regina Monologues"
  • "The Fat and the Furriest"
  • "Today I Am a Clown"
  • The Simpsons Season 15 DVD"'Tis the Fifteenth Season"
  • "Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples and Teens, and Gays"
  • "I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot"
  • "Diatribe of a Mad Housewife"
  • "Margical History Tour"
  • "Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore"
  • "Smart and Smarter"
  • "The Ziff Who Came to Dinner"
  • "Co-Dependent's Day"
  • "The Wandering Juvie"
  • "My Big Fat Geek Wedding"
  • Catch 'Em If You Can"
  • "Simple Simpson"
  • "The Way We Weren't"
  • "Bart-Mangled Banner"
  • "Fraudcast News"

Episode 7 - “Tis the Fifteenth Season” is the Christmas episode which includes Homer doing a version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Simpsons Tis_the_Fifteenth_Season

 

Special Collector’s Edition

The special collector’s edition of the DVD has a 3-D case with a special fold out cardboard case and Springfield visitor’s guide with information on each episode and a list of special features which includes animation showcases, commentary, deleted scenes and some other extras.

Buy It: Buy Simpsons Season 15 from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

*Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

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