Seriously–it would be fun and unique!  I’d do it myself, but we’re celebrating 12 years in August, and I’m not willing to restart the meter!

I went looking today for snowmobile birthday party ideas, snowmobile cake instructions, or something along those lines in the spirit of yesterday’s post.  I didn’t have a heck of a lot of luck there, so I’ll have to keep trying with that (or make it up myself).  But I did come up with a cool snowmobile wedding cake topper!

  Here’s a screenshot of the website, showing the cake topper.

Actually if you go and scroll down, you’ll see a few different options (this is a custom-order handblown snowmobile wedding cake topper, so you can order what you like).  One of the options is just the glass sled, so there could be some options there…but at this price, it’s not something I’m doing for a 5 year old’s birthday…

See the topper here: Snowmobile Cake Topper.  And if you do have a snowmobile themed wedding, you must make sure to email me some pictures!

Come back again and see if the SledChix blog has any other great snowmobile party ideas.  Better yet–subscribe and be among the first to know! (Click on SUBSCRIBE above).

Since it’s warm and raining here, and not very inspiring for a snowmobiler, I thought I’d take the opportunity to outreach to you all to support a couple of worthy causes.

 The two causes I’m highlighting today are both the efforts of friends of mine, both for services that support deserving peoples.  You can check each out with the links that I give you and see that they are real, worthwhile organizations.  You can also learn more about the people involved on their sponsor websites.

 March for Babies

The first is a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, an organization most of us are familiar with.  The link I’m giving you is to support a march later this month in which the Luukko family, close friends of ours, will be participating.  They are looking for sponsors for their walk.  Any small amount will help and the money will go directly to the March of Dimes to support research for infants and premature babies, and to prevent birth defects, prematurity and more.

 The Luukko’s know too well the trials parents go through when babies are born too early; their twin sons were born at just over 24 weeks gestation and have overcome unbelievable odds to become the vibrant, active four year old boys they are today.  The Luukko’s walk to support the foundation that contributed so heavily to the research that made life possible for their sons.

Read more about the boys and donate through the MOD secure donation portal here (Paypal is accepted, too).

A Deserving Young Man

I know I won’t do justice to this next young man, whose life and family cannot be summarized in a few paragraphs. 

This is an appeal to help a very friendly, warm, happy young man whom I’ve known since childhood.  He is the mentally retarded brother of a close family friend who up until a year and a half ago was lovingly and devotedly cared for by his mother and father in his home–the only home he ever knew.  His name is Scott and he is now 39 years old.

Scott had a very trying year last year.  He lost both his parents in a span of months and had to be moved into a residential home.  The adjustment and grieving period were very difficult on Scott, especially trying as emotionally he is near equal to a six year old.  He went through all the various stages of grief and ultimately came to be quite comfortable in his new home, where he lives with seven other “brothers” in a family-like atmosphere, cared for by devoted staff.

Scott is marching too, his cause to support the organization that makes his home and lifestyle possible.  He has two sites set up, one to support the vocational program of his parent organization and another to support the residential program.  Scott has set some lofty fundraising goals for himself, working to earn $3,000 for the residential program (to date, only reaching $210) and $1,000 for the vocational team (to date, only reaching $110).

Now, let me say a few things about Scott.  He has always been a very kind soul and a very active person.  He was a Boy Scout and thoroughly loves the outdoors.  His family always did the best they could for him and strove to give him access to as many ‘normal’ experiences as they could.  He is a man’s man and a person anyone here at SkinnyMoose or any other outdoor enthusiast would be proud to support.

Any donation at all to Scott’s cause would mean so much to him, and would make such a difference in this man’s life.  The best way I can explain this to you is to quote the email I received from my brother in law: “even a small (i.e. $5-10) donation would be appreciated by Scott. It is clear from the short time I have known him that he would be happy with Quantity of people who recognize his efforts, rather than Quantity of Dollars with his name next to it…….”

Even a $1 donation would do wonders for his spirit.  I would also like to add that Scott does not have a large family, so reaching his goals will require all the outside help he can get.  He’s touched the lives of many who know him, but has the ability to only access a few, so please support Scott if you can.

To learn more about Scott and to sponsor him, please use one of these links:

http://www.firstgiving.com/residentialteam

http://www.firstgiving.com/vocationalteam

If you’ve ever wanted to make a direct impact on the life of someone who really deserves it, this is your chance!  Thank you in advance to all of those who support either of these worthy causes, and please remember that even a dollar really will make a difference; in Scott’s case, more than you can know!!

As a followup to the post the other day about the Pink Ribbon Riders Event, I thought I’d let you know that you can order decals to support the riders, breast cancer, and people with breast cancer or survivors of breast cancer.

From the Pink Ribbon Riders Website:

*****

Decals
You can donate $6.00 to the Pink Ribbon Riders and we will mail you Four (4) Pink Ribbon Riders decals, plus a NEW snowflake logo. Place them on your snowmobile, atv or car to show your support!

(Acutal size of decal is 6 and 1/2 inches long x 2 and 1/2 inches high)

(Actual size of decal is 3 and 1/2 inches long x 3 inches wide)

******

There is apparently no online ordering, but if you go to the site it tells you how to order these nice looking decals by mail for your sled, car, or anywhere else you want to put them.

The website also mentions clothing & apparel, but since the volunteers are currently strapped with managing the events they are not accepting mail orders for apparel right now (but maybe later?).  If you are near or attending an event you can get the clothes there.

The website gives complete directions for ordering and supporting the cause with a minimal purchase.  Go here to find out how to order decals:  http://www.pinkribbonriders.com/products.html

There is also info on the page pointing you towards an email address if you are interested in a flat donation (I think I’ll send both).

Great products, great cause, great sport…great combination!

Still shopping?  Who isn’t?

If you’ve got a young snowmobiling girl on your list, check out the RC snowmobile Bratz doll.  I think the official title is “Bratz Kidz Winter Vacation RC Snowmobile With Dana Doll”.

This is really and cute and one of the only snowmobile toys out there intended for girls.  Seems like word’s getting around that girls like their sleds!

Here’s a link to find one on the web:   Bratz Snowmobile Doll at eToys.  I’m told they are able to be found in stores like Target, Wal Mart, Toys r Us and others, so don’t feel you have to order online.  There are also plenty of online toy sellers selling this doll, so also don’t feel obligated to eToys.  I’m endorsing no one, just giving you a link so you can see the doll.

 As for me, I’ve already busted the budget on the Girl for this Christmas, and if I go further I’ll have to go further for all four.  Good thing she’s a February Birthday!  We’ll still be able to salvage this one.

I can tell you from experience, though, that if you have a girl in the range of 5-7 who loves snowmobiles, she’d love to get this gift.  If only I’d known sooner….

Merry Christmas Shopping!

Remember those awesome t-shirts from SledderWear.com?  Well, Kitty tells me there is still time to order and get them in time for Christmas!  Of course, you’ll have to pay for the premium shipping, but it will be worth it when you see the look on the face of the receiver!

This is the schedule cafepress has laid out for holiday shipping; it gives you time until Wednesday to order for Christmas:

 For delivery by Dec. 24, please order by 11:59 p.m. EST on:
Shipping Method

EconomySunday, December 9
StandardThursday, December 13
PremiumTuesday, December 18
ExpressWednesday, December 19
CanadaFriday, December 7
InternationalSaturday, December 8

So if you’re still stumped for snowmobile gifts for Christmas, head over and pick out a few tees!

I few days ago I wrote a post pointing you towards some great snowmobile t-shirts at cafepress.  In case you missed it, the original post if here.

The tees and shirts are found at a Cafepress shop (online only) at SledderWear.  The shop is owned by Berleen, aka Kitty, who also runs InsanityWear over there.  She’s got lots of fun stuff going on at both shops, but the snowmobile t-shirts and accessories are by far my favorite.

 Now For The Gift

Kitty stopped by the comments of that first post to say ‘Thanks’, and yesterday she visited again to offer up this coupon put out by Cafepress.  Kitty says feel free to pass it on, so here it is!  Use it to get $15 off any purchase over $50 –either at InsanityWear or SledderWear.

There is also a link to the coupon in the comments of the first post here about SledderWear Tees.

Kitty also said that she is happy to customize orders, so if you have a request, want to add a name, etc., etc., contact her through her control panel at SledderWear or InsanityWear.  Orders aren’t pressed until ordered, so that’s no problem for her.  Also keep in mind that you don’t have to just get her graphics on T-shirts; she can do these on just about anything from coffee mugs to mouse pads, Christmas cards….

I believe the coupon is only good until next Tuesday, November 27, so don’t wait too long.

So there it is, have fun with it and happy Christmas Shopping!

I always get a kick out of the things you’ll come up with when you use totally relevant search terms on the internet.

Trolling for something new on the progress of environmentally friendly snowmobiles, I entered ‘green snowmobiles in the news’.  Now, if I had come up with a search full of cats I could have understood that, but I never expected to find this: a link to ‘The Snot Spot’.

What is a Snot Spot? (Please do not answer that completely rhetorical question.)

The Snot Spot is a small piece of fleece that is designed to be worn over your thumb, finger, and upper hand so that you can wipe your dripping nose while out enjoying your favorite winter sport.  It is removable and washable, so you can use it again and again.  Nice mental picture, huh?  Believe it or not, this product is actually patented in the U.S.  That gives new meaning to the word ‘invention’.

I suppose this is entirely practical–we all know we’ve been there–but probably would have limited use on a sled unless you were at a rest stop.  There’s only one version I can think of that would be small enough to make its way into a snowmobile helmet, and we don’t really want to go there.

Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a good gag gift this Christmas, or maybe you can bring yourself down to the utter practicality of the product, feel free to head on over and check out the Snot Spot at its home site.  While you’re there, check out their media section, filled with fun pun-filled articles with quipping titles, like Just Say No To Green Sleeves.

I’ll be back later…I think I need a tissue.

Playing around after my last post, I found this site through CafePress.  I’m giving you the link last so you have to read my post. (Hey, I own it, I can do it :)!)

These are some of the cutest and funniest snowmobile t-shirts for kids I’ve ever seen.  I am definately adding these to my kids’ letters to Santa (right after I scratch out WebKinz and Bionicle # 473).  They’re the perfect accompaniment to their pre-Cristmas gift (see previous post), but really any snowmobile loving Mom, Aunt, Sister, or Grandmother is going to want to check these out!

Some of my favorites are:

• ‘This Ain’t My Daddy’s Sled’
• Steps to child development…crawl, walk, ride (with graphic-go see it!)
• Future Snowmobiler (gotta see it to appreciate it)

And my 2 all time favorites…

• When I grow up Mine’s Gonna Be Pink!

And the best I’ve ever seen - and so far I’ve only seen it here -

• My Mommy’s sled is faster than your Mommy’s sled!  – Daddy’s been done everywhere (including on this site a few times over) but I’ve never seen the Mommy version.

So where can you get these great kids snowmobile Tees and sweatshirts?  Go Here: http://www.cafepress.com/sledderwear/2444327

Happy Christmas shopping!

It’s official.  We finally did it.  We took the plunge and two new Polaris 4 stroke snowmobiles came home last week.  And I’m green with envy.

I wish I could say that one of those brand new 4 strokes was mine, but I didn’t make the list this year.  Neither did my husband.  Just the kids.

Yes, we’re weak and we couldn’t hold out any longer.  We’ve been thinking about buying a 120 for the kids to bang around on for a few years, and this year it finally got the best of us.  Notice I said we were thinking about buying a 120.  But we brought home two.

I blame Polaris.  They just had to come out with that adorable pink flamed 120 for the girls.  What self respecting sled chick mother of 2 girly girls could refuse that?  Probably the majority, but I couldn’t.

Now, this isn’t quite as bad as it sounds.  We do have 4 kids–all under 8 (I know, I’ve heard it before…); 2 boys, 2 girls.  So we can justify the sled a little easier than most families.  We can even make something of an argument for 2 of them.  I mean, would you want to ride only once every 4 hours?!  And while you can make a girl ride a black sled, you can’t really sell the hot pink to the boys (although I fully expect to go out one day and find my rough and tumble four year old hitting the girls’ sled with a spray can after he’s ridden the track off his.  Those of you who know him know exactly what I mean).

I don’t consider these purchases to be entirely extravagant; but I guess I can’t attempt to justify them as a necessity.  We do love snowmobiling, though; it’s our one weakness (well, my one weakness; Bill has others).  The point being, anyway, that we plan to have sleds around until we can no longer take the aching of the cold in our joints.  And we want our kids to learn to ride, and enjoy it as much as we do.  So buying child-sized snowmobiles is the best way to start them off right on a machine they can handle, that minimizes the risk.  You just can’t do that on a full-sized snowmobile, even a smaller one.

So now we’re all 6 of us sitting here with forlorn faces watching out the window for snow.  The kids are choreographing their snowdances, and I’m digging out the snowpants.  It won’t be long now; at east we’ve finally achieved a few frosts.  We’re all geared up now.  All we’ve got left is to pray for snow!