K'nex celebrates 20th Anniversary

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Can you believe it, K'nex is 20 years old this year! They're celebrating their 20th anniversary all year, so  check out their 20th anniversary page for news of new K'nex sets (including re-releases of their classic sets),  contests and  sweepstakes.

K'nex has been one of our family's all-time favorite toys; even before I started raving about K'nex online, we had already amassed a gigantic collection of K'nex pieces.  We began playing with K'nex about 4 years ago, when the boys were about 4 years old and I was looking for interlocking toys that didn't break apart so easily.  K'nex fit the bill perfectly, and their unique system of rods and connectors meant that we could build much more sophisticated shapes and designs.  3Po and Jammy have been playing with K'nex half their life, and they enjoy it as much as they ever did!

The latest additions to our K'nex collection comes courtesy of K'nex, who sent us 2 of their classic sets to commemorate the 20th anniversary:


The K'nex Classics Strike Force Bomber,
and

The K'nex Classics Rally Sport Racer.

Both sets feature the classic chunky rods and connectors that K'nex first came out with in 1992.  They are recommended for age 7+, but with a bit of adult guidance I think even a 5 year old could build it.


The set includes instructions for building 3 different types of planes or race cars, so the building fun doesn't stop even after your child has built it once.  He can always take it apart and build again!


Of course, half the fun of K'nex is playing with it after you've built it up, so it doesn't look like Jammy will be starting on the second version for a while (although we have so many K'nex pieces already, he'll probably be able to make all 3 versions separately!).  Fortunately, K'nex piece snap together so sturdily, the built-up model can withstand quite a lot of active play without breaking into itty-bitty pieces.

These Classic K'nex sets are called classic for good reason -- boys have been enjoying them for the past 20 years, and they'll continue to do so for the next 20 years and beyond!  Happy 20th, K'nex!


Disclosure:  I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Get FREE Sprinkles cupcakes!

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What's better than a Sprinkles cupcake?  How about a FREE Sprinkles cupcake?  That's right, Sprinkles will be giving out free cupcakes on May 2, May 13, May 18, June 17, and June 26, to whoever comes in to their stores between 12 and 2pm and says "People Like Us".   Sound too good to be true? Check out the People Like Us Facebook page if you don't believe me, or read through the press release below.  Yum, yum, the promo starts May 2, so tie that napkin around your neck and head to your nearest Sprinkles!



DREAMWORKS PICTURES’ “PEOPLE LIKE US” AND SPRINKLES CUPCAKES CELEBRATE FAMILY
Events Launch on Brothers and Sisters Day, May 2nd




BURBANK, CALIF. (April 26, 2012) — DreamWorks Pictures announced today that they are teaming up with Sprinkles Cupcakes to promote their film “People Like Us” with events at the ten Sprinkles Cupcakes stores around the country. The promotion will run from May 2-June 29, 2012, and is centered around five family-themed holidays: Brothers and Sisters Day (May 2), Mother’s Day (May13), Visit Your Relatives Day (May 18), Father’s day (June 17) and National Forgiveness Day (June 26).




On the designated “People Like Us” holidays, Sprinkles Cupcakes in all ten locations will give out a free cupcake to each customer who comes in between the hours of 12 noon and 2 p.m. and says, “People Like Us.” Any customer can vote online for the official “People Like Us” flavor and the winning cupcake will be announced the week of the film’s opening. Customers can also pick up punch cards in Sprinkles Cupcakes stores, redeemable on the selected ‘People Like Us” holidays for a free cupcake. Follow the movie on Facebook.com/PeopleLikeUs for more details.






“People Like Us”-branded coffee trucks or carts will be at various locations on Brothers and Sisters Day, May 2, to kick off the start of the promotion with free coffee. Visitors to facebook.com/PeopleLikeUs can take the Brothers and Sisters quiz and enter the “Celebrate Family” sweeps to win a trip to visit their family.






“People Like Us” is a drama/comedy about family, inspired by true events, starring Chris Pine (“Star Trek”) as Sam, a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman, whose latest deal collapses on the day he learns that his father has suddenly died. Against his wishes, Sam is called home, where he must put his father's estate in order and reconnect with his estranged family. In the course of fulfilling his father's last wishes, Sam uncovers a startling secret that turns his entire world upside down: He has a 30-year-old sister Frankie whom he never knew about (Elizabeth Banks). As their relationship develops, Sam is forced to rethink everything he thought he knew about this family—and re-examine his own life choices in the process.






The film also stars Olivia Wilde, Michael Hall D’Addario, Philip Baker Hall, Mark Duplass and Michelle Pfeiffer.






A DreamWorks Pictures presentation, “People Like Us” is directed by Alex Kurtzman, produced by Roberto Orci, Bobby Cohen and Clayton Townsend, and written by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jody Lambert.






The film releases in U.S. theaters on June 29, 2012, and is rated PG-13.






ABOUT SPRINKLES CUPCAKES
Sprinkles Cupcakes opened “the world’s first cupcake bakery” in Beverly Hills, as reported by the Food Network, and is credited by the Los Angeles Times as “the progenitor of the haute cupcake craze.” Founded by Candace Nelson, judge on Food Network’s hit show “Cupcake Wars,” and husband Charles, Sprinkles has inspired long lines of devoted Hollywood stars and serious epicureans alike. Baked fresh in small batches throughout the day, Sprinkles Cupcakes are handcrafted from the finest ingredients and contain no preservatives, trans fats or artificial flavors. Sprinkles has 10 locations nationwide, a traveling Sprinklesmobile - the world’s first cupcake truck, and sells its cupcake mixes at over 250 Williams-Sonoma stores throughout the US and Canada. In 2012, Sprinkles debuted the world’s first Cupcake ATM and continued its foray into classic American desserts with the launch of Sprinkles Ice Cream. For additional information and a list of future locations, please visit www http://www.sprinkles.com.






Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Press release (in italics) was provided by Dreamworks Pictures.The views and opinions expressed here are my own.


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My favorite sources for used baby things

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Having a baby changes your life -- your body, your schedule, your priorities... and don't forget, your finances.  Kids cost money!  According to a BabyCenter.com survey, 42% of moms expect to spend a whopping $10,00 during their first year alone.  Think about it -- you'll be needing diapers, food, clothes, a crib, and a carseat at the bare minimum.  You'll probably be buying a stroller, highchair, changing table, dresser, wipes, toys, sippy cups, plates, and other basic gear.  Throw in baby music classes, babysitters, formula, possibly a new car or house to make room, and soon you're staring at $10,000!   That's why buying discounted or used for many baby things just makes sense.   Babies outgrow things so quickly, you'll easily be able to get gently used gear for a great price -- and when you're done with it, you can sell it yourself, lowering your total cost even more.   Here are my favorite places for finding discounted or used baby stuff:

Discount sites
You can buy diapers and wipes in bulk at Sam's Club, Costco, Walmart and other big box stores.  You can also get great deals on online discounted sites.

Moms club posting boards
One of the best reasons for joining a mom's group is access to their community boards, where moms advertise items they have for sale. They are usually first-come-first-served, not auction-based, so you need to respond ASAP when you see an item you want.  You can also post an "item wanted" post in the hopes that someone will respond!

Craigslist

There are also lots of good postings on Craigslist; personally I prefer moms club postings since they're from a closed group, but I have got some amazing Craigslist bargains!

Moms club sales
When moms clubs put on sales, you know for sure you're going to find cheap baby gear:  cheap baby mattress, bedding, high chairs, etc..  Always try to get there as early as you can if you are looking for a specific item; if you are just browsing, get their just before closing time, when sellers put their items on deep discounts as they try to get rid of them.


City-wide garage sales
Garage sales are a great place to find cheap dinner napkins, tableware, bikes, skateboards, tables, chairs, you name it -- but you never know what you're going to find. The more garage sales you go to, the better chance you'll have of finding what you're looking for, so hitting a lot of sales in one morning is so much more efficient than going to one every weekend.

Goodwill
Don't forget Goodwill!  You can get baby toys, baby clothes, baby dinnerware sets cheap as well as other items, and you're helping out a good cause.




Disclosure: This is a compensated post, courtesy of Become.com. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Bonggamom's Friday Finds -- list your giveaways here

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Welcome to Bonggamom's Friday Finds! I'm glad so many of you are finding this to be a useful way to get more traffic to your giveaways. And as a person who loves entering giveaways, I have to admit it's a great, easy way to find out where all the best giveaways are.

So feel free to leave links to your giveaways, everyone. Also, don't forget to enter my giveaways ending soon:

* Mother's Day prize pack -- ends May 1.* Parrot MINIKIT+ hands-free car kit -- ends May 4.

And don't forget to get cracking and enter everyone else's, too!

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