Four great reader haikus (that didn't win our contest)

Thanks to everyone who submitted haikus for our Imagekind Haiku Contest!

PRIZEY's staff selected 17 of our favorites from the entries received, and then a panel of judges - including Adrienne of Baby Toolkit, Caryn of Rockin' Mama, Jennifer of Eco Child's Play, Laura of Oh! Baby Buy Products, Whitney from The Silly Wagon, Naomi of Superdumb Supervillain, and Stefani from teensygreen - narrowed it down to five, which readers voted on last week.

The four that didn't win the reader vote were pretty great:

Mommy needs a maid
And a shower would be nice
That too much to ask?

typical toddler
threw your block at me, then kiss!
your aim so perfect

Food processed green beans
you learned to eat with your hands
and hair, cheeks, and ears

Your pajamas shrunk...
so did the carseat, my lap,
heyyy....Wait a minute.

You can read the winner's haiku here on PRIZEYWinners, and find out why it was such a special treat for her to win this giveaway.

Thanks again to everyone who entered. We all had a blast reading your entries - you can peruse them all in the comments on this post.

Little Capers Super Force! Winners, Favorite Entries, and A Discount You Won't Believe

Congratulations to Stephanie Vollowitz of California, winner of our Little Capers Super Force! Sweepstakes. Stephanie's name was drawn at random from the 51 entrants who lovingly mapped out a Super Force! made up of their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, their children's friends and neighbors, and even babies on the way. Stephanie selected a Peace Hero shirt for her toddler son, a Flower Hero shirt for his "strong and sweet cousin," and an infant Green Hero onesie for a new niece due in less than two weeks!

We loved reading the many personal and thoughtful entries readers sent in as they celebrated their children with this contest. A sampling of submissions follows.

Anne: "A small super force, in more ways than one. Dash and Lennon were preemies, born a week apart, and lived in the hospital together. They are superheroes. DASH needs the lightning bolt, because he is DASH, fast as lightning. (18-24) LENNON needs the red star hero, because while she's named after John Lennon she sounds like a super commie. (18-24)"

Kristen: "Megan - Pink Earth Hero, sz 6. Protector of the all the creatures of the earth; especially kittens and bunnies. Paul - Saturn Hero, sz 4. Travels to galaxies near and far to protect and defend against bad guys and the evil chicken. His mentor? Super Mario Galaxy. Nick - Lightening Hero, sz 6. Quiet on the surface but packs a mean punch. Confident team player. Emma - Flower Hero, sz 6. Sweet and sassy and bold just like the yellow flower she wears; brings joy to those around her while always lending a helping hand."

Noreen: "Abigail: Flower Hero, she loves picking and giving flowers (even to bugs) we are still working on asking mom before picking all of the flowers in the yard, size 6. Grace: Heart hero, she has a big heart and is always asking everyone if 'they OK,' size 2. Kaley: Pink star, she is a diva through and through, size 4. Olivia: Pink earth, short sleeve, she is always reminding me to recycle and wants to save the earth, size 8."

Marci: "My 5yo Daughter Kieahna: Pink Earth short sleeve, size 6 (she loves looking at our globe). Kieahnas BF Greg (who has leukemia): Red Star short sleeve, size 6 (wishing on a star for healing). My almost 2yo daughter Mikaiya: Pink Star short sleeve, size 2 (she looks good in pink and black). My 2yo granddaughter Nevaeh: Heart short sleeve, size 2 (she loves hearts)."

Julia: "Norah - Blue Earth Hero (short sleeves size 2): Norah helps her mama recycle and dig in the earth. She is quite the aspiring Captain Treehugger. Ryleigh - Heart Hero (long sleeves size 2): Ryleigh has special needs due to birth trauma. She has the biggest heart around and can spread the super-love! Miles - Peace Hero (short sleeves size 4): Miles the Montessori Master is learning to make peanut butter sandwiches not war. Clementine - Pink Earth Hero (short sleeves size 2): Clem is still getting mama's milk from the crunchiest earth mama in town."

Tricia: "Ian - Lightning hero because his intellect is as quick as lightning, had us outsmarted since day 1 (size 6). Calvin - Saturn hero because he's flashy and would love to blind us with the silver cape (size 4). Sydney - Heart hero because she stole the whole family's heart when she came along (size 2). Bryan - Lightning hero because they like to match and fight crime together (size 4)."

Man, that was fun.

Deb of Mom of 3 Girls also won a Little Capers shirt for sharing the sweepstakes with her own blog readers. Her blog was selected at random from those submitted to us by bloggers.

Thanks to all who entered, and thanks to Little Capers for sponsoring this sweepstakes and generously throwing open their dress-up wardrobe for PRIZEY readers.

But wait, it gets better: They company has given Z Recommends a "super secret" coupon code good for an astonishing 35% off selected styles of Little Capers shirts. Eligible styles include the Flower Hero, Purple Star Hero, Green Earth Hero, Pink Earth Hero, Peace Hero, and all infant styles, while supplies last. Visit ZRecs and check out their "Z Direct Coupon Codes" list in the lefthand sidebar to find the code, which is good through February 14, 2008.

Changes at PRIZEY

We received a lot of excellent suggestions from the 100 readers who made it into our pilot reader survey, which spurred us towards some creative solutions and improvements we hope will improve everyone's experience on PRIZEY. Highest on the list was the "learning curve" readers described for figuring out our calendar/search format, and although we can't make Google start supporting stable links in calendar entries, we hacked together a Javascript that dynamically links to all posts expiring on any given "today." We think this fulfills the primary use people have made of our calendar, which now resides at the foot of the blog in an expanded format. Poke around, see what you think, and respond to the one-question poll in the lefthand sidebar on PRIZEY to let us know if you think it's a good change.

We will work hard to offer additional improvements and features based on reader suggestions in the weeks and months to come, and were seriously buoyed by the enthusiasm these readers had for PRIZEY. You have given us a lot to think about and work towards and we love getting this sort of feedback, and we have several more changes on our plate, some short-term and some that will take some more thought to get right.

Congratulations to Betsy Richeson of Indiana, winner of the drawing from the 99 respondents who completed the survey and chose to enter an email address. Betsy, we'll get you a list of prize options tonight.

PRIZEY Sixes to Eights Winner

Congratulations to Taryn Scarfone of New Jersey, winner of the PRIZEY Sixes to Eights Sweepstakes! Taryn will be receiving HABA's Smuggler's Island game, a blue and orange Polaroid Pixie Digital Camera, and the Planes, Trains and Trucks comforter and sham from Olive Kids.

XO Laptop Winner

Congratulations to Brekke Ferguson, winner of PRIZEY's XO Laptop giveaway! Brekke (pronounced "Breck") lives in Georgia and is the mother of a five-year-old girl, and says she plans to play with the XO herself "before I even let her know it's for her." Good move!

Of course, Brekke will have to wait until we get our hands on the XO... we're told it should be arriving at ZRecs HQ soon, after which we'll test it ourselves (gently) to review on Z Recommends before sending it on to Brekke.

Thanks to everyone for participating. We had 1,242 entries in total and Brekke's entry was selected using the Random Integer Generator on Random.org.

Another great PRIZEY giveaway launches tomorrow - this one aimed at kids ages 5-8.

Parents' Night Out Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Melissa of Indianapolis, Indiana, winner of our Parents' Night Out Giveaway! She'll be receiving $100 in gift certificates from Restaurant.com, a free six-month membership to Sittercity.com to help her find the perfect sitter, three new games for adults from Babooshnik Games, and Me Bath's Mini Me Bath Ice Cream from Kim and Jason's Lemonade Stand.

Enjoy, Melissa! Fifty-one restaurants in the metropolitan Indianapolis area participate in Restaurant.com's deeply discounted gift certificate program, 20 of them within 15 miles of our winner's zip code. Sittercity has 483 potential sitters standing by within 15 miles of her zip code, 248 of them available on any given Friday or Saturday night!

Thanks to all of our prize donors for sponsoring this great giveaway. PRIZEY encourages you to check out what restaurants you could save a bundle at in your area with Restaurant.com, or to check out Sittercity's great features, and to consider Babooshnik's Dirt Game, Shaken Up, and Poser and Me Bath's Bath Ice Cream or other stuff from Kim and Jason's Lemonade Stand for some fun or relaxation after the kids go to bed.

The Parents' Night Out Giveaway had 122 entries. Don't miss the next big PRIZEY giveaway, which starts the second week in January. We work hard to give you the best creative prize packages and the best odds around!

PRIZEY $100 x 4 Boutique Shopping Spree Winner

Judging from the tenor and content of the more than 200 entries we received, PRIZEY readers had a blast window-shopping at Craftsbury Kids, Kangaroodle, The Silly Wagon, and Zutano, with most entrants naming not one but two, three, four or more items from some of these shops in their enthusiasm for what they'd discovered there.

We selected a winner at random this morning using the random integer generator at random.org, the method used for all PRIZEY giveaways. Congratulations to Marcia of Barberton, Ohio! Marcia will soon be armed with $100 gift certificates to spend at each of these great online retailers.

For those of you who found a special gift you just can't pass up, here's a list of each company's order-by date for Christmas gifts:

• Craftsbury Kids: Wednesday, Dec. 12 [Link]
• Kangaroodle: Today for personalized items, Dec. 15 for most others [Link]
• The Silly Wagon: Saturday, Dec. 15 [Link]
• Zutano: Thursday, Dec. 13 with free shipping and gift wrapping until then [Link]

Thanks to these great shops for contributing to give us all some great gift options to think about, and stay tuned for the announcement of PRIZEY's next big giveaway later today!

Stop us before we win again!

Scott won the Plush Guts giveaway from Babygadget. He's also #10 in our ten-entry drawing for a prize pack donated by Z Recommends. Winner at the bottom of this post! But first... five entries for our next round, this one a pool of 15. Look at these lucky ducks:

Marie won the apron and gloves giveaway by An Apron A Day, and blogged about it!

This little man won some Huggalugs from The Opinionated Parent.

Wow, a Eibrab Dnalsi SsecnirP DVD!

This little guy has won a ton of stuff... the hat and DVD, obviously, but at least 5 other things his mom mentioned in her email. Enter a lot of giveaways and you may win a few!

See?

Now for our winner of the prize pack...

Congratulations to Jessica of Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

Jessica wrote:

I'm very new to this blogging (only about 2 weeks) and I've already won a few giveaways! The attached picture is me w ith the Aden & Anais swaddling blankets from Celebrity Baby Blog that I saw on your site. I love PRIZEY - I'm on it daily (usually multiple times)!

Jessica will get to select a pair of CDs and DVDs from ZRecs' treasure trove of past-reviewed items, including several great volumes of the recently-reviewed Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics from Scholastic Video!

We're now 10 pics away from another giveaway. They tend to come in waves, so don't delay if you want in!

We won on PRIZEY

These three makes 9 of 10 entries for a PRIZEY prize pack! If you have a photo, send it in now to be included in the drawing for this round of ZRecs schwag giveaways! If you aren't the first in with a photo, you'll be included in the next round... use "I won" in the subject so we don't miss your photo op! [how these giveaways work]

Eco Baby Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Laura, winner of our Eco Baby Giveaway! Laura picked up a six-month supply of Natursutten natural rubber pacifiers supplied by The Soft Landing, a Green to Grow BPA-free bottle gift pack, a 30x30" bamboo velour baby blanket from Satsuma Designs, a selection of wooden and plush infant toys from HABA, and an Amnesty International "Citizen of the World" toddler tee or onesie. Laura blogs at Oh! Baby Buy Products, a review blog that features some great finds, so I'd guess that sure some of her giveaway winnings will be featured on her blog soon!

Thanks to Green to Grow, Satsuma Designs, The Soft Landing, HABA, and Amnesty International for their generosity in sponsoring this giveaway. Any of their products would make great Christmas gifts for a family with a new baby, or to treat yourself and your little one to BPA-free bottles or pacifiers, a luxurious and sustainable baby blanket, great non-toxic toys for young children, or socially-aware merch that supports a great cause.

We appreciate the many great ideas and tips you all suggested in your entries. We will be following up on many of them, so don't be surprised if you see a company or theme you suggested featured in a PRIZEY giveaway in the months to come!

Stay tuned for the announcement of our next PRIZEY giveaway later today. It's a doozy!

We won with PRIZEY: Cute Kid Edition

They won with PRIZEY

We said we'd give a prize to the tenth person who sent in a picture of themselves with something they discovered on PRIZEY and then won, like we did with the first. That was crazy, because it encouraged winners eager for more prize-love to wait to send in their photo!

So here's what we're going to do instead: We're going to draw a winner at random from the ten good folks who send in their pics first. Below are two of those winners now. Above is an awesome girl who won something somewhere but we don't think it was on PRIZEY, but she's too cute not to post. a Barbie Princess DVD from Pajama Mommy that her mom heard about on PRIZEY!

Carrie Z. won a Nest pregnancy pillow from teensygreen!


Sarah P. won a Milk Factory Spillproof Blanket from Cool Mom Picks!

The next eight seven submissions will be included in a drawing with these two three, and one of those lucky ten will win a prize to mock the other winners with their ultra-winning ways. If you have won something you discovered on PRIZEY, that winner's winner could be you!

And don't forget about our special offer for hoax photos: We'll save your faked PRIZEY win photo for April 1, when we'll run a gallery of entries and pick a winner for a special prize from PRIZEY!

Baby Feeding Giveaway: We have a winner!

Congratulations to Alfie Shird, winner of our Baby Feeding Giveaway! Her entry was selected at random from the nearly 200 entries we received for this giveaway.

Alfie will be receiving her KABOOST seat booster and Born Free infant and toddler drinking cups in the mail soon, will be hearing from Mostess Creations to help select a bib and burp cloth set, and will get the Benders, Catch Bowl, Snack Ball, and Groovy feeding items from Boon's new line as soon as they start shipping on November 29. Congratulations, Alfie!

Thanks to Mostess Creations, KABOOST, Boon, and Born Free for participating in this giveaway with these great baby products. We reviewed the KABOOST and Born Free cup on Z Recommends, and will be reviewing the Boon feeding line next month.

Stay tuned for our next big PRIZEY giveaway, which we'll announce later this week!

PRIZEY Patrol, Round 2

It's time for another round of the PRIZEY Patrol, when we thank bloggers who share PRIZEY with others by posting our badge or widget on their blog. This round they all came up badges:

• Angela of One Baby, Seven Doggies, and a Mommy
• Katie of Mostly Mommy
• Lynn of Ruminations of a Youth Minister
• Jennifer of A little bit about me
• Faren of Mommy Cracked

Angela, Katie, Lynn, Jennifer, and Faren, email us at prizeyblog (at) gmail (dot) com with your top five choices from the following prize packs, each a $25 to $30 value:

• Milkshake's Play and Bottle of Sunshine CDs
• Magic Maestro's Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and Giddio's Billy Brown Goes Hiking CDs
• Eric Herman's Snow Day and The Kid in the Mirror CDs
• Scholastic Video's Ralph S. Mouse and Suzi Shelton's Live at Southpaw DVDs
• Cellabration Live: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins DVD and Trout Fishing In America's My Best Day CD
• Siente: Night Songs from Around the World and Putumayo's African Playground CDs
• School Zone 3D Think & Blink Alphabet flash cards and The Blankies' Action CD

We'll assume your choices are in order of preference, but please do pick five options so everyone is guaranteed to get something they selected. Selections will be awarded in the order received.

Thanks for helping to spread the word about PRIZEY! We'll have another round of the PRIZEY Patrol in a few weeks, and we'll be sure to get some widget users in that round.

If you'd like to be eligible for the next round, grab the code from the sidebar for the PRIZEY badge or click on the link below our header to get our widget. We discover blogs to award PRIZEY Patrol prizes through Technorati and based on incoming traffic from widgets.

She won with PRIZEY - twice! You can too.

Alisha sent in a photo of herself after winning a NeatReceipts scanner in a giveaway she found out about on PRIZEY. We're giving her a Sansa Shaker kids' mp3 player by Sandisk to thank her for allowing us to bask in her glory. The Sansa Shaker is one of our favorite kids' music devices on the market, reviewed on ZRecs here.

We'll give another prize to the tenth person one of the next ten people who send in a photo of themselves with a prize they won after hearing about it on PRIZEY. So if you won something, snap a photo of yourself lording over your winnings and email it to us at prizeyblog (at) gmail (dot) com. By sending us your photo you are granting us the right to publish it, post it to Flickr, and/or put words in your mouth!

If the first thing that came into your mind when you read that last paragraph was, "How hard would this be to fake?" - you know who you are! - let us help you turn your powers to the forces of good. Here's the deal: Create a hoax PRIZEY winner's photo - using Photoshop, cardboard cut-outs, whatever - for a product giveaway we have linked to on PRIZEY, send it to us clearly labeled as a hoax in your submission, and you'll be entered into a contest for a special prize drawing on April Fool's Day, when we'll publish a gallery of whatever great hoax winner photos we have received. We will be awarding mega points for cheesiness, implausibility, and overall humor, and will select a winner from all submissions received by March 15.

PRIZEY boosters, PRIZEY winners: The PRIZEY Patrol, Round 1

As promised, we've been on the lookout for bloggers who have added the PRIZEY button to their blog sidebars to help spread the word about what we're doing, and we've picked five of these blogs more or less at random to win a little something directly from PRIZEY.

This round's winners are:

• From Dates to Diapers and Beyond
• Inching Along
  
• Amanda: A Stay-At-Home Mom's Point of View
• One Chic Mama
• Beachy's Cape Cod Cupboard (hosting the PRIZEY widget!)

Ladies, email us at prizeyblog(at)gmail(dot)com with your top five selections from the following prizes, along with your mailing address. We'll match each of you up with a prize from your list. Here are your choices:

DVDs
James Marshall's Cinderella
Bees Buzz & Lions Roar (English/Spanish)
Suzi Shelton's Live at Southpaw

Books
Trees Make the Best Mobiles

Software
Jump Start Spanish (Mac and PC compatible)

CDs
Trout Fishing In America, My Best Day
Mae Robertson, Dream [A ZRecs Top Pick]
Putumayo Kids' African Playground
Peter Himmelman, My Green Kite

Gear
iFrogz Tadpole (purple)

Thanks for helping to spread the word about PRIZEY! We'll do another round of these thank-yous in the next few weeks - if you like what we're doing here and have a blog, add the PRIZEY button or widget to your sidebar for your chance to win!