The advertising agency that works closely with Western Union emailed me early last month to share that the “marketing manager at Western Union actually came across your blog piece earlier last year regarding their marketing efforts, and was especially intrigued by my input.”

They wanted “to start up a conversation with me and perhaps hear more about my experiences with Western Union and the Muslim blogging community in general.”

Eager to hear some of my “ideas regarding further contribution from Western Union during the Ramadan season.”, we shared a fun phone discussions and I was very impressed how extremely receptive to my many recommendations.

I must admit the program they devised is much more intriguing as they are actually looking to reward users of their services–something I didn’t even think of. Our conversations revolved on proposed sadaqah (charity) projects, such as our Annual Ramadan Qur’an-a-thon Sadaqah Drive, and sharing my recommendations of reputable Islamic organizations for them to charitable contributions to, such as Islamic Relief.

I still think both of our ideas are ingenious, mashaAllah, don’t you!?

Alhumduilah, they were kind enough to share that they will “keep these (“all the great ideas I sent over”) in mind for future projects,…due to the time constraint for the current campaign…”

So, I’m happy to support their extremely generous Ramadan project..and quite personally excited because the 2 countries we send our sadaqah to are on the list of approved countries: Palestine & Egypt, alhumdulilah!

Western Union Ramadan 2011 Campaign

Every day from August 1 – 30, 2011, you have a chance to win the amount you send, up to $1,000, for your own Ramadan celebration!

Western Union is offering those who send money to the Middle East and other countries observing Ramadan a chance to match the money they send up to $1,000 from August 1 to August 30, 2011.

The timing gives the remitters an opportunity to reach out to their loved ones in a meaningful way, as the recipients generally use the gift of money to buy basic family necessities during the Holy Month, to hold Iftaar get-togethers, or for the coming Eid celebrations.

Target Market: Muslim immigrants already relying on Western Union, the worldwide leader in global payment services known for its fast, reliable and convenient money transfer service. However, I believe anyone who is sending gift monies or sadaqah to the primarily Muslim countries during Ramadan 2011.

How to Apply

Money remitters must make a qualifying transfer through Western Union and mention promo code, “Ramadan” for them to earn chances of winning the same amount they send, up to $1,000. Daily winners will be announced from August 1 to August 30, 2011. The total payout is estimated to reach $30,000.

Click here for official rules.

Qualified money transfer countries

To qualify, money transfers also must be made to the following countries: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Determining a Winner

Winners will then be contacted by mail and/or telephone using the information provided in the money transfer.

Remitters will be entered into as many draws as long as they keep sending money by visiting a participating Agent location, visiting the Western Union Ramadan campaign site,  or calling 1-877-579-3366.

Please help spread the news! We need your blog support!

I’m respectfully asking your assistance in acknowledging Western Union’s fabulous efforts for the Muslim ummah (community) here in America and abroad.

1-second of your time:

A quick click on the below Facebook “Like” button, a ReTweet on the bottom above this article, or a social bookmark this post on many of the buttons below.

1-minute of your time:

Please comment below.

Your time to write 1-blogpost:

Please blog about this! Link to this article, and comment below with your link.

By reporting back to the client all the social media actively (specifically blogging community) we have a great opportunity together the Western Union representative and I will help to “really push for further engagement with the blogger community.”

I’m very curious of your thoughts of this generous campaign, so please kindly share your comments below!

Western Union Ramadan Campaign – Win up to $1000 each day Aug 1-30, 2011! is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Having just shared our review of fit4Ramadan with Advice to Moderate Your Eating and Exercising Habits, we are happy to share with you this interesting interview with the author, brother Imran Ilahi. My girls and I learned a such much from brother Imran mashaAllah, and I hope you do as well, inshaAllah.

fit4Ramadan: Interview with Imran Ilahi is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Since we’ve been moving and traveling so much over the past year, and we couldn’t make my sisters’ first child’s big summer celebration party, it was a great honor to share our $100 worth of Princess party supplies for her 42-kid party last week. My sister was so incredibly excited because she already started buy party supplies from Party City the very day I announced the cool news to her.

Now, I’ve purchased at Party City for many past Eids, so we were extra excited to work directly with this brand as well!

I have yet to meet anyone who hasn’t heard of this big chain of party supply store, but if you haven’t I’d highly recommend starting off at their website. You can get lost just trying to find appropriate things, after all–as Muslims we typically have to be creative in how we decorate our unique Eids.

But, if you happen to have time to actually go into one of these huge chain stores, here’s a warning…prepare to be there for a while!

We actually had a store right down the street from us when we lived in CT, and sometimes we actually just went in to window shop, get ideas for upcoming Eids, and even have a blast shopping for fun things to dress up our daily dining table. Truth is, hubby is well-accustomed to princess-y, and girly-themed party props throughout the year for random fun meals.

Oh, and I host plenty of random girl-theme parties for friends and family too. Truth is, I’ve always surprised the girls every Eid. I decorate all night long. I actually go shopping for decorations all by myself too (hubby is so used to my drill)…as I hustle and bustle to hide my bags of goodies when I return too. Oh, and he always supports me by staying up as I decorate. So, without further ado

Enter to win $50 worth of Party City supplies!

Deadline date: Thursday, August 5, 2011 at 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

Contest Rules

• You must adhere to all the rules as stated. Shall a winner be chosen who did not complete these rules, he/she will not be eligible to win.

You must visit the Party City website comment below telling us what kinds of things you’d buy to creating decorate your Eid! (Eid = feast, festival, so if you’re not Muslim, please share what theme interests you the most).

To be eligible to win you must be a U.S. resident, and 18 years of age or older.

For Additional Entries

For additional entries, you may chose to complete any one, or all of the below actions. You must write a separate comment for each additional entry you complete below. (A winner is chosen by the number of comments, not the number of actions taken.)

• Follow American Muslim Mom on Twitter @PonnSabra
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• Join the Muslim Mom Media Network. While it’s not exclusive to Muslim Moms, we will only be promoting Muslim and halal-specific products and services.
• Tweet about this contest with @ponnsabra Tweet this message, but don’t forget to comment below with the new tweet link.

SAMPLE TWEET. ENTER UP TO TWICE DAILY.

RT @ponnsabra #GIVEAWAY @PartyCity $50 worth of supplies! Just in time for #Ramadan & #Eid Pls RT

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• Share this post with your favorite social networking site, such as yahoo buzz, stumbleupon, or kirsty. You can use one of the “Sharing is Caring” buttons below as well. [For each action, make separate comments below.]

Determining a Winner

Each comment below designates an entry number. We will use And the Winner Is… plugin to pick a random winner from the total number of comments below. The winner will be contacted by email. If no response is received in 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. Confirmed winners will be announced on our Contest Winners Page, where you may refer to at anytime.

Disclosure: We received products for free to review. However, we were not influenced in anyway to share only positive remarks. After all, lying is haram (prohibited). You’re welcome to read American Muslim Mom’s disclosure policy and contest disclosure.

Party City Review & Giveaway in Time for Ramadan and Eid is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

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How to download the Summer Islamic Reading Challenge Design a Button Form (1) Click here to get the form. (2)Scroll to the bottom as this image demonstrates. (3) Click on “Actions” and “Download”. (4) Color a button design. (5) Scan. (6) Email it to contact<at>americanmuslimmom.com

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How to Complete the Summer Islamic Reading Challenge Review Form(1) Click here to get the form. (2) Scroll to the bottom as this image demonstrates. (3) Click “Edit this page (if you have permission). (4) Request permission. (5) We will confirm your request to share this document, and you will receive an email. (6) Once completed, you MUST email contactamericanmuslimmom.com Subject: Summer Islamic Form Submitted. Please do NOT forget this step, because if we do not save this form someone will edit it and your information will be deleted!

If you have any problems or questions, please comment below so everyone can trouble-shoot together. Thanks!

How To Fill Out the Summer Islamic Reading Challenge Forms is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Since we’re all settled now, Alhamdulilah we had some time to kind  of explore our new city. It’s a pretty big city so we more just explored our county. The libraries are great! Well, we at least the the two we’ve been to (our local branch and the Main downtown library). While at our library branch we discovered Playaway. Playaways are like a mp3 filled with a collection of smaller books, for example Amelia Bedelia, or  single even  bigger books like A Whole Nother Story and Another Whole Nother Story by Dr Cuthbert Soup. My sisters and I love how we can listen to them while we are doing chores, playing outside or even…on long car rides–yeah! Oh, I didn’t bring mine with me yesterday when we went out for our long drive…inshaAllah, next time. I also really enjoy that Playaways are just the right size to fit into my purse or jack pocket. They are very easy to use for everyone because there are only five buttons that control everything, plus your screen. I think that you should borrow it from a library to try them out.

Have you ever used a Playaway before? Do you own one? What do you think about them? Or, what stories have you read?

Enjoying a Playaway is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

The Travels of Wiglington & Wenks was originally a book series by John Bittleston. It is now an online virtual word for kids who love traveling around the world and learning about new and different cultures!

In Winglington and Wenks you can either buy a membership or just use a free account. Being a member gives you access to more islands, having the ability to buy flying pets and more.

There are three different currencies in Wiglington and Wenks, two which you can purchase; called WW Credits and Rollers. The other currency is Wiglingtons which you can earn by playing some fun adventure filled games.

While you play you have to find historic people and help them remember who they are by finding some objects ike a buffalo, piano, etc.This is the only tricky part.

In Wiglington and Wenks, there are many different locations. There are many yet to launch, to see click here.

There are different costumes from around the world that you could dress your character in, and some of the outfits do some cool moves!

If you want to you could buy an island and house for your character. While you travel you can “collect wiki” to put in your travel wiki too!

Wiglinton and Wenks is kind of like Habitat for Heroes, but here there’s more history to learn.

If you want to learn more about The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks click HERE.

While playing Wiglington and Wenks you must follow the Golden Rules and the Code of Ethics.

So you want to win yourself a free month of The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks membership?

Well, all you have to do is follow the instructions below.

Enter to Win one-month membership to Wiglington and Wenks – 3 Winners!

Deadline date: Thursday, January 13, 2010 at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time.

Winner must have an active free account, at which time you will share your Traveler’s ID, and The Travels Wiglington & Wenks staff will provide you will a one-month membership. You might as well travel now and create your free account.

Contest Rules

• You must adhere to all the rules as stated. Shall a winner be chosen who did not complete this one very simple rule, will not be eligible to win. It’s only fair.

You must visit The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks page, and tell us which island you’d like to first visit and Why.

• For additional entries, you may chose to complete any one, or all of the below actions. You must write a separate comment for each additional entry you complete below. (A winner is chosen by the number of comments, not the number of actions taken.)

1. Follow  us on Twitter (@ponnsabra).

2. Become an American Muslim Mom Fan on Facebook.

3. Join our RSS feed preferably through the email subscription having the same email address on the comment that you have in the RSS feed. To sign up with your RSS feed reader, click here; or click here to subscribe by email.

4. Sign-up for the American Muslim Mom eNewsletter in the right sidebar where we offer “Free  Ebooks & Goodies!”. Enter your first and last names and email address. We share special gifts, news and offers to this select email list.

5. Subscribe to the American Muslim Mom YouTube Channel.

6. You may write about our contest on your blog, inviting your readers to participate.

7. Tweet about this contest with @ponnsabra or Retweet this post with the above RT button.  You may tweet up to once a day, but don’t forget to comment below with the new tweet link.

Suggested tweet:

RT @ponnsabra GIVEAWAY! Enter for a chance to win a 1-month membership to Wiglington & Wenks http://bit.ly/dIHbPD  Pls RT

8. Bookmark American Muslim Mom on your browser or your favorite bookmarking site. You can use one of the share buttons below.

9. Share this post with your favorite social networking site, like yahoo buzz, stumbleupon, etc. You can use one of the share buttons below as well.

10. Link to us on your homepage with our bottom on the right side-bar, or use the following text link for your blogroll:

<a href=”http://americanmuslimmom.com” title=”American Muslim Mom Blog” target=”_blank”>American Muslim Mom Blog</a>

11. NEW: Follow American Muslim Mom on Google Connect.

12. Follow American Muslim Mom on Linked In.

13. Review and rate American Muslim Mom.

14. We’d like to you stay a while. Please read, comment and share your insights to our latest articles. Read and comment on one or all of the this week’s blogposts, and comment below for each action taken.

• Most Beautiful Masajid (Mosques) in the World
• Adoption is Permissible in Islam with Acceptable Guidelines
• How to Apply Your Definite Major Purpose to Your Blog’s Success
• Muslim Kids Video – A is for Allah by Yusuf Islam

• The Game of LIFE – Reviews by Kids for Kids
• How I Make Money Blogging – Must-Have Tools and Steps To Take
• Muslim Consumers are Young, Innovative, Well-Connected and Extremely Loyal too

15. NEW: Like Buick on Facebook through this exclusive link (Automatically enters you for a chance to win Brand New Buick & possibly $2000).

Determining a Winner

Each comment below designates an entry number. We will use And the Winner Is… plugin to pick a random winner from the total number of comments below. The winner will be contacted by email. If no response is received in 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. Confirmed winners will be announced on our Contest Winners Page, where you may refer  to at anytime.

Disclosure: We were provided one-month membership  free of charge to share our honest opinion and experiences. We were not influenced in anyway to share only positive remarks. After all, lying is haram (prohibited).

The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks – Review and Giveaway is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

My sisters and I enjoy The Game of LIFE because you learn things that can really happen in life like losing your job and how to handle and take care of a lot of money (The Game of LIFE uses thousand dollar bills). To start off in The Game of LIFE you need to choose if you want to “go to college” or “start your career”. Also, throughout the game you have a choice to return to college when it says “return to school” or “go on with life”. There are many more choices in The Game of LIFE just like there are many choices you need to make in life. In life you get married, have kids and become a grandparent well this also happens in The Game of LIFE.

Mama’s Notes

Interestingly, Hasbro has change the life choices in the The Game of Life since we were younger. So, playing this game with different choices, pertinent to life today, is totally different then when we were kids. Then, again Life was totally different as kids (period).

We’re a big board game family, so we’d love if you share your favorite games with us below. Thanks!

The Game of LIFE – Reviews by Kids for Kids is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

My sisters and I love playing  JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness sports edition on our Wii console. In Get Moving Family Fitness sports edition there are many fun games like dodgeball, basketball, baseball, biking, running, boxing, football, volleyball, step arobics and much more! In this game you do not use your Wii Mii you create and use a Jumpee just like the characters on Jumpstart’s website. When you play you could play in different views such as the Beach, Bug View, Castle, Egypt, Farm, Jungle, Volcano and some more. You could play solo or multi-player and you can also compete head to head with your family and friends.  There are some games that are intended to be used with the Wii Balance Board but it is not required to play!

There is just one thing that gets a little annoying sometimes; it is when Brooke Burke talks a lot. But, hey that’s the unique part. ;D

Alright, so do you want to win a new Wii game to play with your family? Well, all you have to do is follow what the rules say.

Contest Rules:

* Comment below letting us know which sport you’d like to try first if you were to win the JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness Wii game, and why. USA residents.

1. Follow  us on Twitter (@ponnsabra).

2. Become an American Muslim Mom Fan on Facebook.

3. Become a JumpStart Fan on Facebook.

4. Join our RSS feed preferably through the email subscription having the same email address on the comment that you have in the RSS feed. To sign up with your RSS feed reader, click here; or click here to subscribe by email.

5. Sign-up for the American Muslim Mom eNewsletter in the right sidebar where we offer “Free  Ebooks & Goodies!”. Enter your first and last names and email address. We share special gifts, news and offers to this select email list.

6. You may write about our contest on your blog, inviting your readers to participate. Comment below with the link.

7. Tweet about this contest and comment below with the tweet link. You may tweet up to once a day, but don’t forget to comment below with the new tweet link.

Suggested tweet:

@ponnsabra I entered to win JumpStart Wii Get Moving Family Fitness Sports Ed in time for the New Year. You can 2 http://tinyurl.com/2etmd43

8. Bookmark American Muslim Mom on your browser or your favorite bookmarking site. You can use one of the share buttons below. Comment below with the link.

9. Share this post with your favorite social networking site, like yahoo buzz, stumbleupon, etc. You can use one of the share buttons below. Comment below with the link.

Contest deadline

12:00 Midnight Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, December 30, 2010.

Determining a Winner

Each comment below designates an entry number. We will use a True Random Number Generator to pick winner from the total number of entries below. The winner will be contacted by email. If no response is received in 72 hours, another winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: We were provided this game free of charge to share an honest review. We were not influenced in anyway to share only positive remarks. After all, lying is haram (prohibited).

JumpStart Wii Game Review & Giveaway is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Have you ever thought about having your own Book Club for girls? Well if you do want to create one, I found the perfect things to help you out. Since American Girls collection believes in reading and literature, I’m happy that they made this package available for free online, and does not make you read only their books.

AmericanGirls.com has a Book Club Kit that you can purchase. Or, you can print some of the pieces online for free, which includes :

• A Calender
• A Book Club Promise
• Bookmarks and some…
• Invites/Invitations

Insha’Allah, God willing, this will be somewhat helpful to you. =)

American Girls Helps Start a Book Club for Girls is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Kul Aam wa Antum bi Khair! (Wishing you happiness in the year) Eid Al-Adha has arrived so I have things to share with you.

Since it is Eid Al-Adha (the feast of the slaughter), I want to share with you the beautiful story of  Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail(peace be upon them).

I found a website with the story, and a video on the story in English, and  Arabic (video #2 in the left corner). The video of the the story of Ibrahim and Ismail is named “The Miracle of Slaughtering “.

If you know other websites about Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), please share them below.

Muslim Kids Story-Prophet Ibrahim’s Sacrifice is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

My Mom received an e-mail from one of her professional online groups, and my sisters and I found it very interesting.

Ask yourself , what will happen if we treat the Qur’an like treating our cell phones?

We’ll carry it with us wherever we go!
We’ll answer its calls, especially when it comes from the one we love!
We’ll flip and read its pages many times every day!
We’ll comeback for it if we forget to take it with us!
We’ll feel real bad when it falls down!
We’ll look at its messages with deep interest!
We’ll feel that we cannot live or go around without it!
We’ll give it to our love ones and friends with pride!
We’ ll use it during our travels!
We’ll use it anxiously when we get lost
It will be the first thing we use in times of emergency!
Is your Qur’an as dear to you as your cell phone is?

One last thing…you need to charge your phone every day, do you use your Qur’an to charge you every day???

Do you treat The Qur’an like your cell phone? is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Eid Al-Adhaa is so close, so I am posting two beautiful nasheeds .
The video below is in the voice of Misary Rashid Al-Afasey:

And this video is in the voice of all the Muslimeen in Hajj:

Translation:

It’s called Talbiyah

A recital of the following words by the pilgrim during Umra and Hajj:

Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek Laka, Labbaik. Innal Hamdah, Wan Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka

Translation: “Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners.”

The Talbiyah is a prayer as well as an assertion of the pilgrim’s conviction that he intends to perform Hajj only for the glory of Allah. The pilgrim starts the recital upon changing into the Ihram, and continues to recite it frequently throughout Hajj.

Labaik Allah huma Labaik-Nasheed is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Book Review for Muslim Kids by Muslim Kids

Title: Attack of the Turtle

Author: Drew Carlson

Illustrator: David A. Johnson
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5338-7
Number of Page: 149
Genre: Historical fiction
Kid Reviewer: The Sabra Girls
Reviewer’s Age: 6.5, 8.5, 9.5 years old

Date submitted:     2/2/2010
Reading Time: 1-4 days

Intended Audience:
Kid Reviewer: The Sabra Family
Age: 6 – 12 years old
Gender: Both

Rating: 5 of 5. Excellent.

Review:

6.5 year old girl:I liked this story because it is a historical fiction book and we live in Connecticut. When we coming home from Boston, MA we passed by all the towns in this book, like Old Saybrook and New London. Also, I’ve been to all the places in NY City too.

8.5 year old girl: By reading this book, it’s a fun way to learn history.

9.5 year old girl: I really liked this book because I usually don’t like history, but this book changed me. It discussed inventors, what happened during the Revolutionary War, and I liked the explanation between what was fact and what was fiction in the book.

Mama: Overall, this was an incredible book. Please read this book as a family, and enjoy opening a unit study in the Revolutionary War, inventors and inventions, and/or New England geography.

Interesting facts:

The Epilogue, American Turtle diagram and its description, Author’s notes and Bibliography are all must-read sections of this book. They were so funny and interesting that we look forward to going to the Submarine Museum in Groton to see the life-sized model of the American Turtle ourselves in the Spring, inshaAllah. We read the “Bushnell’s Submarine – The Best Kept Secret of the American Revolution” by Arthur S. Leftowitz the Uncorrected Proof to verify the historical and scientific information shared in “Attack of the Turtle”.

* We read this book as part of the 2010 Intermediate Nutmeg Nominee Book Club at the Hamden Public Library. Previously reviewed books in this category included:
- Drita, My Homegirl

We’d love for you to share your kid’s book reviews on AmericanMuslimMom.com Click here to complete a review form.

Kid’s Book Review – Attack fo the Turtle by Drew Carlson is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

Here’s a fast and easy-to-make, healthy, sweet, yummy and delicious dessert that me, my sisters, and parents been making for many years. It’s an easy recipe that I think I have it mostly  memorized (because nothing has to be exact.)

Banana and Strawberry Milkshake Recipe

Ingredients:

3 cups strawberries

2 medium-sized ripe bananas

1 cup sugar

2 cups milk

Directions:

Cut strawberries in half or quarters to approximately one-inch wedges or slices. Cut bananas into approximately ½ inch slices. Freeze the fruit until ready to prepare.

Whenever we bananas that are getting soft and ripe, or strawberries that are getting too ripe and juicy, we slice them up and freeze them in a container. Therefore, we’re always ready for these milkshakes.

When you’re ready to prepare and drink, put all the ingredients into a blender and puree to desired thickness.

This recipe makes 5 8-ounce glasses, that’s not to sweet, not to watery and not to thick.* But, you are welcome to make the necessary adjustments to the amount of any of the ingredients to suit your taste.

Serve with a straw & Enjoy!

We’d love to learn more recipes made by kids, so please share in the comments below!

Banana and Strawberry Milkshake Recipe – By Kids For Kids is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

You might of heard of JumpStart’s Software collection, but have you heard of JumpStart’s virtual world?

Well if you haven’t, you’re at the right place; because me and my sisters will share our tips, tricks, and reviews for one of our most favorite programs–JumpStart!

We have 11 JumpStart DVDs and have been fans for over 5 years. So, we are so excited they are online now!

Now, we will begin to “register” at JumpStart.com

How to Register in JumpStart Virtual World

• At the right top of JumpStart’s home-page it says “Welcome Guest”, under that it says “Login” and “Register”. Click on “Register”.

• Now you need one of your parents with you to help you sign-up and fill in:

* Parent’s First Name,
* Parent’s Last Name
* Parent’s E-mail,
* You need to confirm The E-mail,
* Password, and you need to confirm the Password
* Parent’s Birth Day, and
* Have them fill in the information for Child One-you can add more kids later.

• Then click “Finish and Play”.

• After you click “Finish and Play” a window will pop up and that is the one to make your Jumpeez a made-up name, and then you will create your Jumpeez (JumpStart’s character).

Labeled World Map of JumpStart

So you can find your way around more easily, below is the World Map of JumpStart labeled.

February Fun at JumpStart

If you register right now, we’re finding 35 hearts for this month’s scavenger hunt. Try to get as many as you can, before heading here for the answers:

• Main Street
• Downtown
• Speed Drome Finale

Note to Parent

We recommend that your children go to Storyland (ages 3-5), Adventureland (ages 5-8), Marineland (ages 5-8), or Futureland (ages 8-10) for some learning first, and then let them explore JumpStart and have fun.

Note from Mama: The kids have tons of fun in the learning lands too. So, free to recommend a certain amount of time in one of the learning lands before they play around JumpStart–that’s what I do.

Have fun as you play JumpStart and come back so we can share our experiences in the comments area below!

Disclosure: I was provided with a JumpStart membership at no cost by Knowledge Adventure in order to test the products’ abilities and give my own personal opinions on it. The opinions I have given are mine and may differ from others but were not influenced by the company or the free product provided.

JumpStart Virtual World – How to Register is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

A funny video shares a couple well-known ahadith about how we must treat our mothers:

1. The Prophet Muhammad said, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him: Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother (Ahmad, Nasai).
2. A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim).

Role of Parents in the Qu’ran

While the above ahadith are about mothers, below are a couple verses in the Qur’an about parents

Qur’an
And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.
(Surah Al-Isra, Chapter #17, Verse #23)

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.
(Surah Luqman, Chapter #31, Verse #14)

Please leave a comment below with your favorite nasheed and Muslim Kids videos, since we showcase a new one every Sunday. Then, check back each week to see when we post it!

Muslim Kids Video: The Easiest Way to Get into Paradise – Jennah – Heaven is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

This nasheed is called “I think my mum is amazing” which is part of the “Allah Knows” CD by Zain Bhikha.  It’s a beautiful video; but, very sad at the end You’ll just have to watch it to find out why for yourself.

We’d like to showcase the best nasheed and Muslim Kids videos on the web every Sunday. So, please leave a comment below with your favorite link and check back each week to see when we post it!

Muslim Kids Video – I think my mum is amazing by Zain Bhikha is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

• Wooden Comb – From Light Breeze, while supplies last.

• Aveeno - AVEENO® Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion.

• Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener – For US residents over the age of 18 years only.

Great Deal:

• Hasbro Games – $3.00 Toys-R-Us Mail in rebate. Deadline date: Sunday, January 31, 2010.
  

Freebie Friday – Aveeno, Snuggle Liquid Fabric Softener & Wooden Comb is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

This week’s Muslim Kids Video recommendation is “Upsy Daisy” from the “I Look, I See 2” by Yusuf Islam. We love the little Muslim Kids  from all around the world with their vividly colored native outfits. This is such a cute nasheed video. Enjoy!

We’d like to showcase the best nasheed and Muslim Kids videos on the web every Sunday. So, please leave a comment below with your favorite link and check back each week to see when we post it!

Muslim Kids Video – Upsy Daisy by Yusuf Islam is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog

American Girls started a collection of a online virtual world and the Innerstar University book series. These are not any regular books, in these books you are able to choose what happens next. My mom used to tell my sisters and I about books that her siblings, her and their friends used to read that you get to choose what happens next. For example, if you choose answer A, go to page 23, if you choose answer B to go to a different page.

These books also have codes that you can use online. Each book comes with a Star Code that gives you full access to the Innerstar U website for 14 days. All the books also come with a Secret code that opens the Secret Endings Door.

My mother bought my sisters and I each one book right before we left to travel overseas. We already read our books many times, and had a different ending every single time. It was great just to carry one book  to read when we were on the road, on the plane, and even in the airport.

Each one of the books are by different authors, so if you go to the library don’t say can you help me find the Innerstar U book collection by Alison Hart. The librarian will know that you want that series, but they are not all by Alison Hart.

All the Books in the Innerstar University collection:

Braving the Lake by Erin Falligant (We own)
A Girl’s Best Friend by Catherine Stine
Taking the Reins by Alison Hart (We own)
Fork in the Trail by Laurie Calkhoven (We own)

Two more books are coming out March 2011.

We hope you enjoy this book series as much as we are. Please share your thought and opinions below, especially if you read the one book we don’t own, A Girl’s Best Friend.

American Girl Innerstar University Books Review is a post from: American Muslim Mom Blog