Thanks to our Back To School sponsors

Lunchsense, a product developed by a mother of three from Eugene, Ore., offers parents a smart, colorful and environmentally friendly lunchbox system that’s durable and easy to clean. Created by Nancy Owen Myers, owner of Good Sense Design, Lunchsense lunchboxes are waterproof, easy to open and quick to clean. Each lunchbox features a set of well-constructed plastic containers that fit neatly together, and the lunchbox itself doubles as a fold out placemat. The containers are dishwasher-safe and the lunchbox cleans up easily in the washing machine. Lunchsense lunchboxes do away with the need for plastic sandwich bags, and because the containers seal tight, it’s easy to transport leftovers back home. Each Lunchsense lunchbox comes with an ice pack and all three versions are BPA-free, lead-free, phthalate-free and vinyl-free.Here are a few of the other features you’ll find in Lunchsense lunchboxes: Machine washable design. Three different sizes. Eight great colors. Each set includes an ice pack and beverage bottle. No Velcro or zippers to worry about . http://www.lunchsense.com/

Harmonic Vision’s Music Ace Deluxe is a wonderful interactive program that gives mothers a fun way to bring music into their kid’s (aged 6+) lives. The game-type Windows and Mac-compatible CD-ROM features 36 self-paced lessons shored up by games that introduce kids to the basics of music — rhythm, pitch, note reading, listening and the keyboard — while entertaining them at the same time. It’s actually great for any aged beginner, and is a fun “rainy-day” family activity and after-school activity. The software can track the progress of 10 family members. The engaging lessons and games help beginning music students succeed by making music theory fun. “Maestro Max,” Harmonic Vision’s humorous animated virtual instructor, leads students through the lessons that use colorful animated graphics and digitized sound effects. http://www.harmonicvision.com/

ItzaBitza is an interactive drawing game for pre-K+ kids. Living Ink® technology – exclusive to Sabi games – creates an interactive, always changing always challenging learning environment for children. Pre-K and young readers learn creative thinking and problem solving though laughter and confidence building positive reinforcement. A child’s own creativity powers the construction of the game. Their imagination is ignited by understanding what they draw and bringing it to life using Living Ink®. The creativity comes in when children discover this freedom to explore interactions and push boundaries. A whimsical dance of cause and effect plays out. ItzaBitza has won several awards including the 2009 Parents’ Choice Gold Medal and The Children’s Technology Review Award. http://www.itzabitza.com/

Hands2GO is an instant hand sanitizer, but unlike Purell, it is alcohol-free. To find out why mothers are raving about it, please continue to read the following: What makes Hands2GO so unique is that the patented formula is a natural, foaming water based solution. It is gentle on the hands, yet clinically proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria, including the MRSA bacteria. It is one of the few alcohol-free products on the market. Unlike alcohol gels, Hands2GO is fragrance free so your hands are not left smelling medicinal, and when applied, leaves the hands not sticky but moisturized with aloe vera, lavender, and chamomile. It can also be used as a non-stinging antiseptic for cuts and bruises. Alcohol-gels can be toxic if ingested by young children. Older children hate the smell of them and the alcohol burns their hands when they are applied. Hands2GO is a safe, fun alternative. Our product comes in four convenient bottle sizes (three of the Hands2GO products are under 3oz), just right for a lunchbox or backpack. http://www.waterjourney.com/

IKEA is offering one solution that will help save money, the environment and actually gives back to a community in need with purchase! IKEA SUNNAN desk lampsrun on solar cells that transform sunlight to electrical energy. This means that the lamp helps save energy and the environment. As an added incentive, starting in June 2009, for every SUNNAN reading lamp sold in IKEA stores worldwide, an IKEA SUNNAN lamp will be donated to children in refugee camps and in villages in remote areas where there is no electricity. http://www.ikea.com/ The IKEA SUNNAN lamp is available in assorted colors.

Current economic conditions have made families more vigilant about the need to live within our means and find ways of saving money. Back-to-school is the perfect time to teach our high school and college kids the concepts of pride of ownership and responsibility for their belongings, empowering them with these basic financial learning lessons. With help from Mabel’s Labels, this school year parents and their school bound kids can minimize the “re-buy,” (the wasteful repetitive purchase of misplaced item), and maximize their dollar. Mabel’s Labels, a company that makes “personalized labels for the stuff kids lose®,” recently announced the release of their Ultimate Back-to-School Combo. This durable personalized labeling combo helps families lessen the chances of losing school supplies, clothes, backpacks, jackets, etc. with cost effectiveness and ease. The Ultimate Back-to-School Combo pack will offer:· 50 Tag-Mates™, a peel and stick label for the tags on clothing. They do not require any ironing or sewing. Ideal for school uniforms.· 40 Skinny-Minis™, perfect for smaller school supplies such as pencils, rulers, and erasers.· 16 Shoe Labels, worn on the inside sole, these labels will outlast the shoe itself.· 2 Teeny Tags, tiny colorful personalized metal tags to attach to school bags, pencil cases and sports bags.· Special Colors Available: True Blue; Tickled Pink; Cotton Candy; Nature Lover http://www.mabels.ca/

With today’s American family struggling to make ends meet, how can parents teach their children, without scaring them, that it’s time to cut back? Parents whose children who have always had everything don’t understand the value of money need to be equipped with new skills to help them to be smart about money.The “Money Savvy Pig” is an old fashioned piggy bank with a twist. Its blue transparent plastic is divided into four labeled compartments: save, spend, donate and invest. Each compartment has its own slot on top and plug at the bottom and it comes with a curriculum aimed at teaching kids the basics of money management. It’s been featured on The Oprah Show, The Today Show and most recently The Dr. Phil Show. http://www.msgen.com/