As a mom, I try my best to teach my children the values of kindness and to show generosity to those in need. That is why I am so excited and honored to have been chosen as an American Girl’s Official Parent Partner for their Shine On Now Campaign.

“To foster a spirit of goodwill and help make the world a brighter place, American Girl is introducing Shine On Now™ — a new charitable initiative that harnesses the collective power of girls to help others in need. Through Shine On Now, American Girl is calling on girls across the country to help the company give $1 million in clothes, books, dolls, and money to the following four organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children U.S.A., National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation."

Girls can visit Shine On Now and become official American Girl Ambassadors and inspire other girls to join the Shine On Now effort. As ambassadors, girls will receive a free, downloadable tool kit filled with fun  tips and ideas for fund-raising, volunteering, or donating to the four worthy charities participating in Shine On
Now, or wherever they see an opportunity to make a difference.

Then Beginning July 13, 2010, girls can visit the Shine On Now website to contribute a free ‘star’ to the effort. The goal is to collect one million stars by the end of the program on July 31, 2010.  For every star a girl contributes (she can contribute up to 100 a day), her name will be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl doll. 
 
 
 
The new My American Girl dolls will allow girls to create a doll as unique and special as they are. Girls will be able to choose from 40 different combinations of eye color, hair color and style, and skin tone through a brand-new, innovative online tool. The personalization continues with a variety of special extras such as braces, glasses, and earrings, as well as outfits and accessories that reflect girls’ favorite interests and activities.


To further enhance the doll’s personality, each My American Girl doll comes to life at Innerstar University, where girls and their online doll can have fun exploring the virtual campus together.






Here's how to Enter:
The Shine On Now campaign is all about celebrating girls who are making a difference in their families, communities and schools.   So, to enter this giveaway, nominate a deserving girl who has made a difference in her family, community, school. etc.  Tell us about the wonderful things she does for her family, friends or community through acts of kindness and generosity and why she is deserving of her very own My American Girl doll. Please do not disclose the child's name but do describe her life, her activities and the kind and generous things she does for others! *Be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you should you win.


Additional Entries:  Above Entry must be completed first.  (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)

"Like" Centsible Mommy on Facebook (1 entry)

"Like" Shine On Now on Facebook (1 entry)

Follow me on Twitter- (CentsibleMom) ( 1 entry)

Follow Shine on Now on Twitter

Post about this giveaway somewhere (facebook, twitter, blog, etc) with a link to this giveaway included and be sure to leave me a comment to where you've posted it! ( 1 entry for each post) 

Follow me on Google Friend Connect (upper right hand corner) (1 entry)


Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on July 31st. Prizes not claimed in 48 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents 18+ only.








American Girl sent me free product samples as a part of my partnership in the Shine On Now™ program. The opinions and content posted here are my own other than excerpts taken from a press release where noted.

The books, The Adventures Zylie the Bear, New York and The Adventures of Zylie the Bear, China, are just the start in the series with more adventures to come. The rest of Zylie's adventures will be decided by you- their customers and readers, so they don't know yet where she will be going next. These storybooks are based on Zylie's travels with each adventure focusing on a different country, helping children to learn about each country's culture and history, language, and more.

Online Fun: Be sure to visit to Zylie the Bear's site to read the online storybook, read Zylie's diary, "Talk" to Zylie, create an avatar, or to visit Zylie's shop and much more.

Some items from Zylie's Shop:



Zylie the Bear Kit

Begin your adventures with Zylie! Her kit comes with an 18" plush Zylie bear, in her signature skinny jeans, flounce top and beautifully-detailed cream-colored swing jacket. She’s carrying a cool orange bag that comes complete with her diary, map and all-important passport. Get to know Zylie™, her brother Theo and their wacky adventures by reading her first book: The Adventures of Zylie the Bear, New York™!

- Includes the first book in The Adventures series
- Use the passport number on the back to log into Zylie's website
- Additional outfits for Zylie and her friends are available separately
- Books can also be purchased separately
 
 
 
Shen the Panda Kit

Meet Shen, Zylie's panda friend from China! His kit comes with an 18" plush Shen panda, in his green t-shirt, cool leather jacket and blue jeans. He also has his backpack, filled with his passport and, most importantly, his drumsticks. Find out how Zylie™ and Theo meet Shen and follow their travels in China with the second book in Zylie's adventure series, The Adventures of Zylie the Bear, China™.

- Includes the second book in The Adventures series
- Use the passport number on the back to log into Zylie's website
- Additional outfits for Shen are available separately
- Books can also be purchased separately

My thoughts on Zylie the Bear and Shen
You have seen Zylie and Shen for yourselves and know how adorable they are, so who cares what I think, right? But I will still say, not only are Zylie and Shen adorable and fun to play with, but they serve as a great tool in helping children learn about cultures different from their own, making them a great teaching tool.  By the way, the kids I gave Zylie and Shen to have yet to put them down! They love them.

I was sent a Zylie the Bear and Shen the Panda Kit to review.  The opinions expressed are my own.  I received no compensation for this post.

With all the past few weeks’ buzz about The World Cup that began very recently, it seems everywhere you look it’s all about soccer lately. In keeping with this theme, and because my sons have also caught soccer fever and now want to be little soccer stars, I was very excited when I was asked to feature and review the soccer trainer from International Playthings. It’s just what they needed to practice their soccer skills.

Not only does the soccer trainer serve as a fun tool to help your kids learn and perfect their kicks and soccer skills, but it is a great way to keep your kids off the couch this summer... keeping them active while they are having tons of fun practicing a sport. If you have a budding soccer star in your midst, then the soccer trainer from International Playthings might just be the toy you are looking for.

The soccer set includes an easy to inflate 8 inch soccer ball that is attached to its base, which can be weighted down with either sand or water. The ball is attached to the base and rebounds back when it’s kicked, so your soccer star can practice goal keeping or shooting it continually at the goal (not included). It can be also be played with a friend for added fun by simply kicking it back and forth to one another or by taking turns to rebound the ball.

My boys (5 and 2) both really enjoyed playing with the soccer trainer and think its lots of fun, but they especially like the fact that they do not have to continually chase down the ball. Since they are so young and have not yet perfected their ball control skills, they sometimes spend more time chasing down the ball then actually kicking it.



Soccer Set Includes:

8 inch inflatable soccer ball
Attached Base
Air pump

Recommended for ages 3+. Note: My 2 year old is able to kick and rebound the ball and enjoy the fun, but I had to watch him carefully as at times the cord would wind up around his feet, which presented the possibility of falling, so the recommended age of 3+ seems accurate.

Brand:










Where to buy: International Playthings. International Playthings carries an assortment of toys for all ages. Browse by age, category, brand, or gender to find the toy you're looking for.

The opinions presented are my own. I was sent a soccer trainer for review and keep. I did receive any compensation for my opinions.