good contest!

Hey all --Here is a awesome contest you need to enter!


Posted: 25 Nov 2009 03:21 AM PST



“Mommy, Draw Stars on my Tummy” written by Martine Groeneveld, is a book filled with short rhymes, songs and massage techniques specific for babies and kids. If you’re not sure what to do, Martine provides several guides and tips on what to do and how to do it. My boys (7, 4 and 20 months) have been exposed to touch-play activities for a long time, but most of the songs were all created on a whim, and many forgotten by now!. There aren’t many books out there on this and Martine’s book fills in the gap.
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I wholeheartedly agree that through hugs and loving touches, calms a child down, helps nurture his/her loving character and opens up a channel for the parent and child to communicate without speaking. I love this book. My boys love this book. Every bed-time is a “Mommy, draw stars on my tummy” time now.
xx
My 20 month old loves it because he loves giving hugs and receiving them. Ah! Such simple needs! My 4 year old particularly loves the “Bone Search” and “Magic Body Painting” touch-play activity. It does get a bit boisterous but, we always have a soft rhyme/song which immediately calms him down and ready for bed. I think my 7 year old enjoys it the most, because we’ve been doing similiar bed-time activities for the longest time. And I think it reminds him of how it used to be when he was very young. Seen here, in this pic, is our all time favourite. I’ve been singing this song forever, but with the touch-techniques provided, makes it a more meaningful activity.
xx
There are kids who are sensory sensitive and Martine’s methods do provide a avenue for giving loving touches without invading the child’s sense of space. I think it’s always important (as she highlights) to respect the child’s wishes.
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About Martine and her inspiration for her book :
A native of Holland, Martine has over 12 years of experience in traditional and alternative health care, with five years teaching baby and child massage. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters, where she runs her company My Mini Massage.
“The parent-child relationship is a child’s first experience with relationships. It affects their self-confidence and self-esteem forever and creates the foundation for their future relationships with friends and partners.” Martine derives much joy from watching the parent-child interactions in her baby and child massage classes. “When a parent and child interact through eye contact, loving voice and touch, the closeness in that moment is indescribable — it expresses more love and joy then a thousand I-love-you’s.”

Her book ‘Mommy, Draw Stars on My Tummy’ (0-6y) combines nurturing touch, storytelling and beautiful illustrations in a way that allows parents and children to slow down, focus on each other and enjoy a deeply personal relationship with love and laughter.

Buy it! : Martine’s book is available here, and priced at $19.95. Right now, for all orders within the US, there is free shipping and handling! This will make a great Xmas/Baby Shower/Birthday gift for new and not-so-new parents, with kids from newborn to 6 years of age.
Win it! : For this Mega Xmas & New Year Giveaway, a copy of the “Mummy Draw Stars on my Tummy” book will be given away to THREE lucky reader and all you have to do is :

One mandatory entry- visit the http://mommydrawstarsonmytummy.com website and tell us one fact about Martine.
Three additional entries- grab our Mega Giveaway badge from our sidebar. Please leave your blog url to qualify.
Three additional entries – Tweet this giveaway (please leave your twitter id)
Giveaway is open to ALL shipping address and closes on 5th December 2009. The winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Halloween

Well, Halloween came and went with all going good! Not as many people trick or treat as they used to it seems. Guess people are getting afraid of what might appear on their doorsteps these days!lol Oh! how much fun we children of the 60 and 70's had on Halloween ! Most everyone's costumes back then were homemade and typically girls were witchs and boys were vampires. Today you can be anything from Jesus to George Bush ! The Jesus suit is uncalled for if you ask me. There are Whoopie Cushions and French Fries and many more odd costumes. But oh well times are forever changing ! But as for me, I'd go back to the old ways!!!!!
Have a great November 2nd everyone!!!