Tired of Adulting? No Prob-LLAMA! Instant Happy Notes + More Fun Stuff to Beat the Winter Blues

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Being a grownup got you down? You’re never too old for a new lunchbox or a great set of colored pencils! In fact, when I spotted this Llama Lunchbox, I knew it would be perfect for holding all of my coloring and drawing supplies. It got me inspired, and since I figure I’m not alone in needing a little pick-me-up to help cure the winter blues, I put together a little list of fun and random stuff to make you smile.

Feeling happy can start with making other people smile, too! This book of 101 Instant Sticky Happy Notes can be used in your kiddos lunchbox, your spouses laptop bag, your co-workers cubicle or anywhere you and yours need a mini message of happiness. I got these in my January PopSugar Must Have Box and have been sticking them all over the place!

Winter is cold and flu season and that means lots of hand-washing to keep the germs away! Add some cuteness to your bathroom or kitchen counter with this adorable Bunny Ring Holder. It’s got a padded base and comes in other animal shapes and colors, too.

Feel like hybernating or catching an extra cat nap? This Cat Eye Sleep Mask is both fun AND functional. It’s purr-fect for helping you get more zzz’s and has gel inserts that can be chilled or warmed for added relaxation and rejuvenation anytime.

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Learn About Animals and Encourage Year-Round Reading w/ National Geographic Kids Magazine

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Nat Geo Mag for Kids

Parents and grandparents, don’t miss this deal on National Geographic Kids Magazine. It’s 62% OFF a 12-month subscription right now at Amazon.com. This magazine discount works out to $15 ($39.50 reg) and this discount can be applied to a new or current subscription. What a great way to encourage your children to learn about animals, science and technology!

National Geographic Kids magazine is aimed at young readers from six years and up who want to find out more about the world around them. The magazine contains photos, fun facts, and articles presented in a cheery style, making it perfect for keeping kids’ attention. National Geographic Kids magazine has been presenting information to kids in an accessible way for over thirty-five years. [Read more…]

Sea Turtles for kids

You can expect the same kind of subjects to be included in National Geographic Kids magazine that you get in the adult version: animals, science, archaeology, and geography, but with technology and pop culture added to the mix too. As you might expect, there is also a strong emphasis on magnificent wildlife photography. Frequent appearances of animal posters can be found within the pages, as well as high-quality photographs sprinkled throughout the magazine. The addition of games and jokes, alongside other activities such as puzzles and competitions, keeps the subjects light, while still getting across the important facts. [See reviews from other parents and teachers…]

Dog laughing mag cover

Summer break will be here before you know it, and this magazine would be great at helping to prevent the ‘summer slide’ or learning loss that occurs over the summer if kids aren’t encouraged and motivated to keep reading and learning during their vacation. It looks like a super deal and a real treat for animal-loving young readers! Go HERE to check it out.

Book Giveaway: WIN a Copy of Vet Set Go! for Animal-Loving Teens and Tweens (10 Winners)

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VetSetGo Book Giveaway

Earlier this week, we told you all about a super cool website and online community for young people interested in a career in veterinary medicine. It’s called Vet Set Go and you can read all about it HERE.

In addition to fun free games, videos, a Vet Camp finder and more resources for animal loving kiddos, they’ve also got a book. It’s called Vet Set Go! A Quick Start Guide to Becoming a Veterinarian. It’s the ONLY book available that shows young people how get animal experience, volunteer, learn animal science, meet veterinarians, and connect with other aspiring veterinarians. Each chapter presents activities you can try, shares one or two “case studies” or examples, and finishes by giving step-by-step action plans and check-lists to help teens and tweens work toward their dream job.

It’s a Moms Choice Award Winner and you can preview the book here to get a look inside and see what it’s all about.

WIN a copy of Vet Set Go! for your animal-loving kid or grandkid!

Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below to claim your entries. All entries are optional, so only choose the ones you want to complete. Giveaway is open to US residents age 18+ and is void where prohibited. Ends 11:59pm ET on 3/14/16. 10 lucky winners will be randomly selected from all valid entries. Good luck everybody!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Help Your Pet-Loving Tween or Teen Explore a Veterinary Career with Vet Set Go!

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vet learning pics

Do you have a child or grandchild who wants to be a veterinarian? If so, you’ll want to make sure they know about Vet Set Go. It’s the first and only online community dedicated to helping aspiring veterinarians explore their passion. It’s free to join, and your tween or teen will get access to all kinds of resources, including videos, games, articles and more. I’ve spent the last week or so exploring the site and am SO impressed with everything. Here are some of the highlights from my tour:

Vet Learning Games

Super fun and interactive learning games to help future veterinarians explore everything from dog breeds to animal anatomy. Don’t let the cute illustrations fool you…these games are challenging! I scored 7 out of 10 on my first anatomy quiz and learned quite a bit. And I’ve become somewhat obsessed with the blood works game…super cool sound effects, too!

 

The Meet the Vet video series features all sorts of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of different types of veterinarians and the work they do. This is a great way for interested kiddos to get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a Zoo Veterinarian, a Shelter Vet, a Veterinary Oncologist, Sea Turtle Specialist and more. Who knew there were so many interesting and exciting career options for animal lovers!?!

Vet Camp for Kids

One of my favorite features of Vet Set Go is their large database of activities including Vet Camps, Zoo Camps, Hospital and Vet Office Tours, Volunteer opportunities and more. You can search by type of activity and location. I was pleased to learn about several opportunities in our area including Zoo Miami’s Conservation Teen Scientist program for high school students seeking to learn more about environmental conservation, wildlife biology, zoo operations, and public engagement.

Vet Set Go Book

The Moms Choice Award winning Vet Set Go! Book is written for 9-14 year olds interested in becoming a veterinarian. Includes tips and advice on how get animal experience, volunteer, learn animal science, meet veterinarians, and connect with other aspiring veterinarians. Full of color photographs and graphics on every page offering checklists, case studies and action plans to help your kid turn their dream of becoming a vet into a reality.

To preview the book, explore the free online community resources and connect with other aspiring veterinarians, visit vetsetgo.com. Also be sure to follow with the Vet Set Go Facebook page and Instagram for news, updates and photos.

4 Ways to Help Animals + Enter to WIN an ASPCA Holiday Gift Pack!

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Daisy Christmas help

I’m getting a late start with Christmas decorations but luckily I have Daisy to help me out. She’s a great helper, and you can see from her smile that she is very happy about getting started!

And speaking of helping, the holiday season is the perfect time of year to spread the word about ways YOU can help animals. Our pals over at ASPCA have put together some tips and infographic for animals lovers with 4 Ways to Help Animals this Holiday Season:

1.       Adopt, Don’t Shop

Make adoption your first option this holiday season! Avoid buying anything from pet stores that sell puppies because most of them come from puppy mills. Search for local adoptable animals by visiting www.ASPCA.org/adopt

 2.       Help Local Shelters

Help your local shelter by volunteering your time or finding out what supplies they need. You can also win a grant for your local shelter by entering our “Home for the Holidays” contest with Dogist and Subaru at www.ASPCA.org/holiday

 3.       Have a More Humane Holiday Meal

If you eat meat, eggs, or dairy, look for certifications that require better treatment for animals on farms, specifically Certified Humane, Animal Welfare Approved, and GAP (Levels 2 and above). Visit www.ASPCA.org/labels to view a label guide and get useful tips and info on how to have a more humane holiday

 4.       Host a Holiday Sweet Swap

Consider hosting a holiday bake sale at your office or with friends and family and donate the proceeds to help animals in need. Find out how to start your fundraiser at www.ASPCA.org/SweetSwap

ASPCA holiday info

To help celebrate the Holiday Season, we’ve got a super cool prize pack for one lucky winner! It includes a whole bunch of goodies you can either keep for yourself, or gift to the animal lovers on your list. The prize pack includes:

  • West Elm Animal Tea Towels: Inspired by some of Instagram’s most famous pets, West Elm will donate $1 for every towel purchased to the ASPCA.
  • Subaru Collapsible Water Bowl & Puppy Dog Cinch Bag: Since 2008, Subaru has supported nearly 1,000 pet adoption events, resulting in more than 11,500 adoptions to date.
  • Walkers Shortbread Cookie Tin
  • ASPCA Pet Throw
  • ASPCA Branded Canvas Tote Bag

ASPCA Holiday Giveaway

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