Gift Giving with Nikon from Best Buy

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

Last week I shared with you three cameras for photography students and one of them was a Nikon. If you read that post then you know that I've been a Nikon gal for a very long time - at least 15 years, but probably longer than that! The reason is that it is a professional camera that gives me awesome photographs every time. I can use them for work, but more importantly, I can use it to capture images of my family, friends, and life that I want to remember forever. What's more, I can use these photographs as part of my gift giving.

This week I want to focus on handmade or custom-designed gift giving. And I want to start off with gifts for the abuelos. I have a horrible time thinking of gifts to give my parents each year. They have everything, really, and when I ask them what they'd like, they always say, "Oh, nothing. Don't spend your money." Ugh.

Does that sound like your parents?

But I know that I can't go wrong when the gift is made by or about my children. And I imagine that most grandparents are delighted with gifts that have something to do with their grandchildren. Which is one of the many reasons why photography plays such an important role in our lives. Since we live so far from los abuelos, photographs make it possible for me to share important moments in my children's lives with my parents and in-laws.

We have given everything from personalized photo calendars to photo albums to personalized mugs and mouse pads. Sometimes we just send a framed photo. It doesn't matter what I send, because as long as it includes a photograph, it is a hit.

But these quality gifts deserve quality images and for those I can rely on my Nikon.

Last month, I had the opportunity to upgrade my Nikon D3000 with the new Nikon D3300 and it is FABULOUS. Everytime I upgrade, I'm thrilled with all the new features.

The Nikon D3300 comes with an AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm lens for capturing great images up close or further away. The ISO 100-12,800 is great for getting good pictures even in low light conditions. It is fun and easy to use. In addition to the regular photo modes (portrait, action, close-up, landscape, etc.), it also has a Special Effects feature that includes:

• Night vision
• Super vivid
• POP
• Photo illustration (SO cool!)
• Color sketch
• Toy camera effect
• Miniature effect
• Selective color (I ♥ ♥ ♥ it!!)
• Silhouette
• Hi Key
• Low key
• HDR painting
• Easy panorama (I wish I'd had this at the Grand Canyon!)

It is absolutely amazing. I'm still experimenting with all of these, but what I love best so far is the Enhanced Guide Mode that allows me to take a photograph and then go back and crop or apply special effects (such as soften, selective color, photo illustration, and more) to photos I took in the past.

As a parent, I also love that the cold- and shock-resistant design shields the camera against accidental drops and the elements.

For me, the best part of my latest upgrade is the WiFi connectivity, because I love to share my favorite pictures via my personal Facebook page or on Instagram. I can now do that (I never could before!) thanks to the Wireless Mobile Adapter WU-1a. This awesome little tool just plugs in to your Nikon and transfers images directly from your camera/SD card to your smartphone so you can share your pics on your social media. You can attach it directly to your camera strap so that when you are ready to use it, you just pop it out of its little case and plug it in. It works with the Nikon WMU app that you download (for free) to your camera and the best part is that you can even control your camera with it and use your smartphone to see what you camera sees and even take the picture from far away. So if you want to take a family portrait shot (and be in the picture, too!) you can set up the camera and then go sit in the shot and take the picture by simply pushing a button on your smartphone. Awesome!!

If you or your husband are avid photographers capturing the beautiful moments in your every day lives, but you only have a little point-and-shoot camera, then consider upgrading to a Nikon. Not only is it a valuable gift for the you, but also for those around you who will benefit from all the amazing memories you preserve at the click of a shutter!

Disclosure: I am a Best Buy Brand Ambassador and received product for the purposes of this review. However, all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own!

Free Download: Dress the Snowman Game in Spanish

This month's free download from our sponsor Monarca Language is this adorable Dress the Snowman game. The perfect winter activity, your preschooler colors in the game cards then chooses one to draw on the muñeco de nieve.

Download this activity here

Before you play the game, you might watch the following videos to build your child's level of excitement.

For more fun, your child might enjoy watching this video on how to draw a snowman...

And then he or she might love to watch this short story in Spanish by one of our favorite YouTube channels: Videocuentos!

Las Posadas Game

Are you following MommyMaestra on Facebook? If so, you should hop over there and download my last Facebook Freebie of the year. But it is only available for a limited time. I had so much fun creating this Las Posadas game for kids. It's just a sample of some of the great activities you'll find in the Multicultural Kid Blogs' Celebrate Christmas Around the World packet (and hey, it's on sale!)

If you are not following me on Facebook...you should be!

3 Cameras for Photography Students

Do you have a budding photographer in your family? Has the time come for you to think about (and perhaps invest in) a high-quality camera for your tween or teen? If so, the holidays are the perfect time to surprise your photography student with the tool they'll enjoy most: a new camera or camcorder. Below are three amazing cameras that are now available.

This post contains affiliate links.

Beginner Cameras for Kids

Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ401-BK 16MP Digital Camera with 40X Optical Zoom and 3" LCD

This is a fantastic, budget-friendly camera that's easy to learn, easy to use. The new Kodak PIXPRO AZ401 digital camera is part of their Astro zoom collection. 

Comes with a 40x Ultra long zoom lens with optical image stabilization delivers crisp, clear 16 Megapixel close-ups, 180 Degree Panorama or HD videos with the switch of a button. Object tracking, post-editing features and a host of powerful yet intuitive settings make photography with this Camera effortless, entertaining and frustration-free. 

VJIANGER 4K Digital Camera 48MP Pixel Manual Focus Vlogging Camera

This 4K small digital camera with 5*3*2(IN) size is so lightweight and portable. The camcorder is designed for amateurs, not for professional cameras. Simple and convenient operation makes it an ideal camera gift for beginners, kids, teens, students, elderly to take pictures and shoot, a perfect gift to your family, friends and leaders for festivals, sports events, weddings, parties and important events, a perfect graduation gift for them to record their precious youth.

Features:

• Video Resolution: 4K_3840X2160 (30FPS)
• Photo Resolution: 48MP, 30MP, 24MP, 12MP, 8MP, 5MP, 3MP
• Video/Photo Format:MP4/JPG
• Display screen: 3.0 inch ultra HD 180 degree flip screen
• Storage: TF card up to 256GB / Class10
• Digital zoom: 16x digital zoom
• Lens: Fixed lens F/3.2，f=7.36mm
• Battery: Two NP-40 / 1500mAh lithium-ion batteries can work 2- 3H, 2-3H Charging time

Sony Alpha α6000 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera

You'll love this compact system camera with the world’s fastest autofocus. This Sony Alpha A6000 features a 24.3-megapixel, Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor that makes it easy to shoot scenes in stunning clarity. I like the fact that you can manipulate the display to review your photographs comfortably. I also love Sony lenses because they are probably the best ones on the market for taking good photos in low-light situations without a flash. So if your child takes a lot of indoor photos, consider buying him or her a Sony camera.

It also comes with built-in Wi-Fi that lets you share stored content across devices.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Teaching Photography to Kids: The First 5 Steps
  
  
• Photography Tips, Lessons, and Activities for Children
  
  
• Six Tips for Creating Your Own Yearbooks

Free Download: Christmas Connect Four in Spanish

This post contains affiliate links.

We are absolutely loving this month's free printable from our sponsor, Spanish for You! It is a Christmas Connect Four Activity plus audio file for your young Spanish learner!

This fun activity sheet introduces your Spanish-language learner to Christmas-themed vocabulary. It includes vocabulary picture cards, and a Connect Four game board. The accompanying audio file is a bonus for parents and children who are learning proper pronunciation.

Download the printable file here

Download the audio file here

To accompany this unit, check out these bilingual books on Christmas.
The following links are affiliate links.

The 2014 MommyMaestra Holiday Gift Guide

Time for the 2nd Annual MommyMaestra Holiday Gift Guide! Phew! This year has been so busy, I wasn't sure we'd get this together in time. But I was fortunate to team up with my favorite Betty, a regular contributor to this blog and publisher of My Friend Betty Says, as well as Melanie Edward, publisher of ModernMami.com.

So the gift guide is finally here and FULL of educational (some bilingual!) goodies for children. From babies to teens, there is something in this gift guide for all the kids in your life. Just click on the links in the guide to learn more and purchase any of the items.

Happiest of holidays to you!

Target Wish List App Helps Parents Find Gifts

This post is made possible by Target. All thoughts and opinions expressed below are my own.

Every year I have a little piece of paper that stays in my purse. On it is a scribbled list of items that my children want for Christmas. I don't typically buy everything on the list, but I pick and choose the items the want the most or that I think have the most value. This year, though, things got a little easier for me with the Target Wish List app.

This new app is free to download and allows you to create wish lists for up to 10 people. You can even share their lists with family and friends. It is a lot like a Target wedding or baby registry.

Once you've downloaded the app and signed into (or created) your Target.com account you can begin creating profiles for your kids. My kids had fun choosing their own avatar and then exploring "Santa's Workshop." Each room is a different area and items from that section pass by on conveyor belts. You can click on items to select them and add them to your wish list.

The app also works with the Target Holiday Toy Catalog, which you can pick up at your local store. All you have to do is hold your mobile device (phone or tablet) directly over the page and click on the "+" buttons to add specific toys to your wish list. (Psst! If you hold the device over the cover of the catalog there is a fun surprise for you!)

Once your child has finished his or her list, s/he can even send it to Santa with the Letter to Santa option! It requires your child to sign their name using their finger and then boosh! Off it goes to the North Pole.

If your family doesn't do Santa, or the kids are too old, then you can just save it and share it with friends.

Parental Guidance for Using the Target Wish List App

- Limit your children's list. It would be easy for kids to go through and just click on an outrageous number of items making it hard for parents to pick from. I suggest you give your kids a limit and tell them they are allowed to pick 10 - 20 items for their wish list with the understanding that you may choose only a few of those items for Christmas. I impressed upon my kids that they had better select only their favorite items because otherwise I may choose one they don't like as much because I assumed that they really wanted all of the items listed.

- Don't use their real names. This is especially important if you'll be sharing their list with friends or family. You'll be entering a shipping address, which may or may not be your home address. Maybe it is the overprotective mom in me, but I know there is no guarantee that the list won't end up in a stranger's hands. So I use nicknames or other ID's such as "Monica's Daughter" or "Brad's Son" to identify my kids. If you aren't sharing the lists, but just using them for yourself, use nicknames to identify your kids.

- Share it only via text or email with only close friends or family (ahem...los abuelos!). You'll have the option to share it via twitter (I don't know why you would do that), or Facebook, too. Just be thoughtful in your decision.

PBS KIDS Toys now at Whole Foods {GIVEAWAY}

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with PBS KIDS. All thoughts and opinions espressed below are my own.

Did you know that you can now find PBS KIDS toys at your local Whole Foods Market? These earth-friendly toys have been designed to inspire curiosity and help you raise happy, healthy kids. The line is geared for young children ages 6 months to 3 years old and includes

• race cars made from recycled milk bottles 
• colorful, wooden vehicles assembled by hand from local wood in Vermont 
• shape sorters (recently named a National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) silver award winner) 
• stackers that inspire a love for fruits and veggies 
• super soft plush animals made with phthalate- and PVC-free materials 
• organic t-shirts and infant onesies with vintage designs

I love that all of the products are made with safe, non-toxic materials and inks, and all the packaging is made from recycled materials. Many of the toys are produced in the USA from sustainable materials, responsibly harvested from local communities. So the partnership with Whole Foods makes sense, no?

And the best part is knowing that if you purchase one of these toys this holiday season, 100% of PBS KIDS’ net proceeds will benefit the media brand’s mission of empowering children through knowledge, critical thinking and imagination. And Whole Foods Market will donate 1% of the total sales, up to $25,000, to Whole Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving children’s nutrition and wellness.

THE GIVEAWAY

PBS KIDS and Whole Foods Market have donated a set of Scoot wooden toys (great stocking stuffers!) and a plush animal for one MommyMaestra reader!

To enter to win, simply use the Rafflecopter below.

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a PBS KID Ambassador and received sample products for the purpose of this review and giveaway. All thoughts and opinions espressed below are my own.

Dream A Little/Sueña un Poquito CD GIVEAWAY!

We truly have a blast here at Mommy Maestra. To review such amazing products for children and then share with you and our own kids is a gift that keeps on giving. I am excited to write about Nathalia's latest musical contribution, Dream A Little, Sueña un Poquito today because I was truly hooked in the first 30 seconds of the first song of her new album. I was actually dancing in my seat!

When I heard Los Planetas I thought I was listening to a rock en español hit from the radio! The lyrics are truly bilingual, too. Here's a little peek:

Flying in my rocket ship, I’m an astronaut going to outer space
Voy en un cohete veloz 

    Un astronauta soy, al espacio voy

The album was a quick hit with my three boys too! The songs jumped from a cumbia to a lullaby, to more rock, salsa and pop. My favorite song is about bubbles! Pop, Pop, Pop's catchy beats and fun lyrics in Spanish and English, are super contagious. I am certain that children of all ages and adults will love all the songs!

Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Nathalia moved to the U.S to attend the Berklee College of Music. She continued her studies in Antioch University and received a Masters in Clinical Psychology. After her experience as a musical therapist, she discovered that she could use the tool of music to teach her children Spanish. She has currently developed a second music album, which can  purchased HERE, but will also be released on major online stores on December 12. 

You can listen to a sample of her album on her site here. There are 10 songs on this album that teach children about everything from the planets to the Amazon. The titles are:

• Los Planetas
• El Amazonas
• Magical
• Shine
• Norah's World
• Pop Pop Pop
• Shake Them Bones
• Tu Día Puedes Cambiar
• There's No One Like You
• Sueño Feliz

The Giveaway

Mommy Maestra readers are in for a treat! Nathalia is giving away a free CD to one of you!  We are so happy to include this giveaway during the holiday season, as it will surely set a festive mood in your home. And it makes a great stocking stuffer!

Please fill out the Rafflecopter below. Suerte!





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Betty Galvan, is writing "for smart and stylish moms" over

at MyFriendBettySays.com.

Lil' Libros: First Books for Children {GIVEAWAY}

I'm especially excited to introduce you to a wonderful new book series created specifically for Latino children. Lil' Libros is a new independent publishing company focused on bilingual, first-concept books for children 4 and under.

Their first round of board books for lil' fingers are vibrant, fun, and infused with culture.

Counting With Frida, Contando con Frida introduces children to the numbers 1 to 10 through the Mexican artist's world. For example, there is una casa azul/one blue house; dos pinceles/two paint brushes; tres flores/three flowers, and so on.

In Zapata, your children will learn about silver coins, blue uniforms, green pastures, etc.

Lotería First Words, Primeras palabras uses the traditional card game to build their vocabulary of first words such as el gallo, la luna, and la flor.

All of these books come with simple images to engage babies and toddlers, and each one also features text in both English and Spanish. The illustrations are warm and colorful, and make sitting down with your child to read a pleasure.

I love the concept of these first books and consider them a must-have for any Latino family library.

These 6x6 eco-friendly board books are currently scheduled to be shipped on December 16th, but you can pre-order your copies for $10 each via the Lil' Libros website.

You can follow Lil' Libros on Facebook and Instagram, too.

The Giveaway

Lil' Libros has generously offered one set of these three books to one MommyMaestra reader! Wouldn't they make a wonderful Christmas or Reyes gift?

To enter to win, simply use the Rafflecopter below.

¡Buena suerte!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Preschool is Crucial for Every Child's Education

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. While I was offered compensation for this post, I am donating the payment to Mi Escuelita Preschool. All thoughts and opinions espressed below are my own. #TheStoryOfEmma #CollectiveBias

Today is Giving Tuesday. A day after the biggest shopping weekend of the year in which people can stop and think about helping others. Parents, do you take the time to model generosity with your children? Compassion? Do you teach your children that they can make the lives of others better through their actions? It can be by donating money, volunteering your time, sharing information, or simply listening. It comes as no surprise, I'm sure, that my focus is on preschool and early education.

And so I want to share with you a program that has become dear to my heart. One that deserves support for the value and importance it plays in the lives of so many Latino children. I'm so happy to be part of #TheStoryOfEmma campaign by #CollectiveBias.

This year I've chosen to donate to Mi Escuelita Preschool in Dallas, TX. They serve "working poor" families living at or below the poverty line. A non-profit, Mi Escuelita provides these families with quality preschool programs, helping their children to learn English so that they can transition directly into English-speaking kindergarten classrooms without the struggle of a language barrier. They also prepare these children for kindergarten by teaching basic skills such as pre-literacy, pre-math, and social skills that help them excel in school.

Every 2 minutes, a Hispanic student drops out of school. I wonder, exactly how many of these children attended a good preschool? How many started kindergarten already behind or struggled to learn the language? Last year in DISD, 51% (that's over half!) of the children entering kindergarten were categorized as Limited English Proficient (LEP).

In the Dallas Independent School District, the graduation rate for Hispanic students is 67%. But LEP students only have a graduation rate of 44%; most are Hispanic.

This is why schools like Mi Escuelita are so important. I wish there was one in every town in the country. They actually save our country so much money because they alleviate the need for expensive bilingual education and reduce the need for remedial English instruction.

I am Emma

I was born in Dallas. My first language was Spanish. And because education has always been (and always will be!) something extremely important to my mother, she made sure that I attended a Montessori school for preschool and kindergarten. I went on to attend private schools on scholarships, because luckily, I learned English well enough to enter and excel in these English-language schools. I didn't start behind and then struggle to catch up as so many do. And those schools provided me with so many opportunities that I might not otherwise have had. From ballet to piano lessons to French, I was lucky to have access to these classes which broadened my view of the world.

My mother was a single-mom from the time I was 2 years old. She worked long hours and I spent most of my time with my 'Buelita and Nanita and (Grand)Daddy. My mom and I lived in our own home for a while, but eventually moved in with my great-grandmother (my 'Buelita) who owned her own home.

I spent a lot of time with my extended family in the area. Outside of school, I was immersed in the Latino community. I know what it means to work yourself to the bone for not much money. I've seen families who struggled to put food on the table. Families with children that were loved very much, but parents didn't always have the time, tools, or the money to help their children succeed.

Preschool is sometimes a luxury that many Latino parents cannot afford. And for those who work one, two, maybe three jobs or more, there isn't always time to teach their children at home to prepare them for school. 

And that's why I want to share with you the Story of Emma. It is part of Mi Escuelita's annual fundraiser. You can watch the video below to know her story. The video is not a true story. But it might be. In fact, it could be the story for thousands of children across this country. If you have a moment, won't you watch? Because you might know an Emma. Or her parents. Or her brother. Or....

The Story of Emma from Mi Escuelita.

Join us!

Please join us for #TheStoryOfEmma #LATISM Twitter Party on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 9:00pm. @LATISM and @ColectivaLatina will be joining forces to support of the Mi Escuelita campaign and create awareness about #TheStoryOfEmma. 5 prizes of $50 gift card + $50 donation to Mi Escuelita in winner's name will be awarded during the twitter party. RSVP link: http://cbi.as/qe2ds.

You can help...  

What is your story? Do you have an Emma in your family? Maybe you are an Emma?

Share your story and Emma's because every share, tweet, or retweet that utilizes the hashtag #TheStoryOfEmma will generate a donation of $1.00, up to $10,000 in donations!

Here's a sample tweet you can send out to help Mi Escuelita:

RT to donate $1! I'm investing in #Latino children: Let's make success stories like #TheStoryOfEmma a reality http://bit.ly/storyofemma

NEW! Do-It-Yourself Posada Kit

December 1st! Woohoo! You know what that means, right? It's the last month of this YEAR! And only 15 days left before Las Posadas begin.

I'm kicking off this month by reminding you of all the printables on Las Posadas that I have available in my TpT store, AND share with you my newest download: The Do-It-Yourself Posada Kit.

In my store you'll find the following printables that you can immediately download upon purchasing.

• Las Posadas Countdown Calendar (I highly recommend it!)
• Bilingual Minibook on Las Posadas (Most popular)
• Las Posadas Bilingual Minibook of Words
• DIY Posada Kit (NEW!)

While my Minibook on Las Posadas remains my bestselling printable, I honestly think the best way to teach children about Las Posadas is by having them participate in one. That is a treasured memory from my own childhood and I started thinking about how awesome it would be if parents and teachers could host their own posada at home or at school.

SO I'm excited to announce that my DIY Posada Kit is ready for download. It comes with all the resources you need to host your posada, including:

• An invitation template in English (just print, write in details, and cut in half for two invitations)
• Luminarias tutorial
• Papel picado tutorial
• Piñata ornament tutorial
• Recipe resources
• Lyrics in Spanish and English
• MP3 resources for downloading the song
• Printable templates of the candle and Mary, Joseph, the angel and donkey.

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