What he wants

Hello, it's just Natasha this time. Parker is down for his nap right now. I wanted to write about accepting how it is.

Back story. Last year, Parker was only 11 months old, and I found the coolest bed ever. It's a pirate ship. I had so many thoughts about this bed, how I would decorate his room, what kind of toys he would play with... 
So I got the bed (and a pretty penny it was), and Christmas came, and he was so excited to play in it, on it.. He transitioned himself from crib to toddler bed, I had no work to do.

Fast forward 10 months later. We have moved and he has his own room, so naturally I want to decorate it. With him being so young, Jake and the Neverland Pirates are just as his age group AND goes with my theme. However, there lies the problem... it was MY THEME.

Since Parker was born, I have believed it was best to give him options, so he could establish himself as a person. Select a style shirt, but give him two or three colors to pick out from. Now Parker is 19 months old. He still loves his bed, plays on it every day. With his Mickey and Minnie. Parker doesn't want Jake and the Neverland Pirates, pirates don't interest him. He got a new fold out couch and I gave him the option Jake or Mickey... He wanted Mickey. Minnie Mouse is his best girl.

He doesn't care if the stuff animal he just got is pink or camo, he doesn't care if it's a princess or an army man. He knows what he wants. So it got me thinking.... Did I do wrong giving him options at such a young age? Am I spoiling him but getting him what he wants?

In my opinion I didn't. Yes, it sucks to want a whole pirate room for your little boy, and he wants something totally different. However, I believe I have set him up for individuality, in a world where everyone wants to be the same. I tried to put him in a box, and label it BOY 1-3 years.. Parker just wants to be KID, NO AGE SPECIFIED.  He knows what he wants and what he doesn't, I know 30 somethings who don't know that much.

The best I can hope for, is that he continues to grow and establish what HE wants, not what society expects from him. Stand up for what he believes in, not what people tell him he should believe in.

Just a little thought.

#Giveaway for "The Crew Goes Coconuts" Book by Carole P. Roman and $50 Paypal Cash

My son loves pirates and pirate stuff. He even has a pirate bed! This series from Carole P. Roman is a great addition to my son's books to peak his curiosity.

Author Carole P. Roman takes on the topic of bullying head on with her newest book, "The Crew Goes Coconuts" from her "Captain No Beard" series.

There is a storm brewing on the Flying Dragon, and it's not about the weather. When the crew finds themselves parched and not enough juice to go around, blame falls on Matie the goat, Hallie's friend. Divided, they square off, ready for a fight and Captain No Beard must teach his crew that not only is bullying wrong, they must learn to value and respect each and every member of the crew. Watch the crew of the Flying Dragon learn an important lesson about being a true friend.

To promote this book, Carole P. Roman is giving away a copy of her book and $50 Paypal cash. Enter in the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win. ** Please carefully read the disclosure before entering.** Good luck!

Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by Carole P. Roman and organized by Away We Go Media who are responsible for prize shipments.  Playhouse Adventures  was asked to promote this giveaway and has received no compensation nor responsible for prize shipment.

This giveaway is open worldwide, however, if the winner is outside of the U.S. the book will be given in the form of a Kindle download. Winner must have an active Paypal account and will only be paid in U.S. dollars.

Winner has 48 hours to respond to an email sent to him/her with full mailing address or Kindle email and Paypal email otherwise, forfeit prize and another winner will be drawn.  Winner is drawn randomly via Rafflecopter.

Giveaway is open from 7/18/14  12AM MST through 8/2/14 12 AM MST. Worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hello from Parker and Natasha:

Today we went to the Landing. The Landing is an out door mall in Branson. It has a lot of walking, a water show, zip-lines, and a playground in the middle. Parker did so good today, he climbed the jungle gym and went down the slide by himself. Then it happened. No one knows this... but Parker is his own stunt man. He figures why pay someone else, when he can do it himself. So today's stunt involved going down the slide on his feet, standing up. Mommy didn't have time to get to him before BAM! Aww man, a busted lip. He is okay, well better then okay. He got paid for his stunt today. Pretzels and a drink from the local pretzel stand.(they also gave him a rag and some ice for his face ***gma works there***). 

Now we are home watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Georgia Industry for the Blind #Giveaway ...Youth or Child Hooded Hunting Vest & $25 Paypal #GIB

It is with our pleasure that Away We Go Media is sponsoring a giveaway on behalf of The Georgia Industry For the Blind.

This is my first giveaway ever. I am excited to be a part of this one. Good luck!

About the Georgia Industry for the Blind:

In 1937, the Georgia Legislature passed House Bill No. 114, which established the Georgia Factory for the Blind. In 1982 that name was changed by the legislature to Georgia Industries for the Blind. GIB's first plant opened in 1949, in Bainbridge. Four years later, in 1953, a second plant was opened in Griffin. More than 60 years later, both plants are still vital contributors to their communities and provide job opportunities for persons from throughout the state who are blind. In 2008, GIB opened a third plant in Albany. In 2010, GIB opened its first service site at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. 

The company produces and sells high quality office products including file folders, binders and card guides along with pillows, traffic and job site safety vests including a new line of hunting vests sized to fit adults and children. There is something for everyone to be found here. Georgia Industries for the Blind is set to generate its total operating budget through the sales of its products and services and are now unfunded by state or federal government. GIB is self supportive! 

To highlight the company, its products, and to seek out new customers to the facility, Georgia Industry for the Blind is offering the choice of a youth or child's hunting vest made by its employees to a lucky winner. 

This is a new line from GIB with a complete line of Hunter Safety vests. Their vests are produced from 100% ANSI approved Hi-Visibility safety orange polyester material and offered in several designs including Adult, Youth and Children’s styles with hoods for improved visibility. 

 The flier above shows two photos displayed side by side. On the left, a child is wearing a safety vest without a hood and the photo on the right shows a child with our new hooded safety vest. Which vest would you want your child to wear?

The winner will get a choice of a child or youth size hooded hunting vest. In addition to the hunting vest, Away We Go Media is giving that same lucky winner $25 Paypal cash. 

Let's build pride and help GIB stay committed to providing employment for visually impaired individuals. All of this is a win for the Georgia Industry for the Blind and for you!

Enter in the Rafflecopter below. NOTE: PLEASE read rules and disclosures carefully.

Rules and Dislcosure: Playhouse Adventures  was asked to promote this giveaway on behalf of Away We Go Media and Georgia Industries for the Blind and received no compensation for this post nor is responsible for prize shipment.

Rules and Disclosure:

You must enter your full name and address and choice of youth or child vest as the first entry. This entry does not solely constitute you a win. ***If you do not enter your mailing address then you will not be eligible and if this is the sole entry you will also not be eligible.*** Your address will only be viewed by Away We Go Media and be used for this purpose and not viewed or sold to any third party.

You must be at least 18 years of age to enter.You must have a Paypal account to receive payment. The payment will be in US dollars only.

Winner will be picked at random by Rafflecopter and will be notified via email. 
 Giveaway is  open to US only from July 13, 2014 at 12 AM MST through July 27, 2014 12 AM MST

This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook, Pinterest, Google, Twitter or any other social media outlet.

a Rafflecopter giveaway