Fun Facts About The US Flag

I would have written a completely different post about the US Flag and US Flag history if we weren't in the middle of such uncertain times. So, given our circumstances at the moment, I figured I could discuss different activities about the US Flag for kids to work on when they're home from school. 

Besides various worksheets, videos, coloring pages that are easily available for download, there are a number of online resources for homeschool curriculums that are free or discounted heavily for parents and teachers. (Due to the current situation, many businesses have stepped up to help to make sure parents can continue their child's education at home.) 

You can also create your own worksheets and puzzles with some facts about the flag. 

Fun Facts About The US Flag

Did you know that the flag actually has to be in bed at sunset each night? Not only that but the flag also needs to be awake at sunrise each and every morning! 

The designer of our current flag was a high school student who received a B- from his teacher for his project. 

Robert G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio, created the current design in 1958. President Dwight D. Eisenhower picked Robert's flag out of 1500 entries! 

6 American Flags have been planted on the moon. Neil Armstrong planted the first one on the moon in July of 1969 as part of the Apollo 11 mission.  Of the 6, only 1 has been removed. So there are 5 left standing. (The first one is no longer on the moon!) 

There have been 27 versions of the American Flag. There was a mistake made when North and South Dakota became states because some flag manufacturer's thought they would be combined into just 1 state. So, there was a version with 39 stars.

Vermont and Kentucky were states 14 and 15 and the flag changed from 13 stripes to 15 stripes. However, when there were more states added, there were discussions as to whether or not they would constantly add more stripes to each state. So, they decided to go back to just 13 stripes to represent the 13 colonies.

The US Flag that we have today is the very first flag to have lasted for 50 years. At one point, we had 17 different versions of the flag over a 50-year span!

There is just a time when burning the flag is acceptable. If the flag is damaged beyond repair, the US Flag Code does state that you can, in fact, burn it in order to dispose of it with dignity.

Just like a lot of us, the US Flag has a few nicknames! You have probably heard someone use one of those nicknames. One of the first nicknames was, "Old Glory". Another popular nickname a lot of people still use is, "Stars and Stripes".

The American Flag has been on quite a few trips! Not only has it been taken to the moon but, in 1909, Robert Peary traveled to the North Pole and took a flag that his wife had sewn and put it in the ice.
In 1963, Barry Bishop took a flag with him on his trip to the top of Mount Everest!

According to the US Flag Code, the flag should never be flown in bad weather. If it must be flown at nighttime, it must be illuminated.

History suggests that the colors of the flag were chosen because red represents valor, white represents liberty and purity and the color blue represents justice and loyalty.

The proper way to view the flag when it's on display is by facing the flag with your right hand over your heart. You've probably done this at school or right before a baseball game or a hockey game!
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On August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress that would designate every June 14th as  National Flag Day. Our current president, Donald J. Trump celebrates his birthday on June 14th too!

There are so many fun facts about the flag! This is just a short list but if you want to impress your friends (or your teaches!) check for more at your local library or online. If you're bored and looking for things to read about or learn about, you could also start memorizing the states and even include the order in which they became stars on the flag!

You could also check out Flags Unlimited for more fun facts and to purchase one of your very own!

Family Adventure PAWPARRAZI DVD Giveaway

Welcome to the Family Adventure PAWPARRAZI Giveaway!

2 winners

Host that put together this giveaway is SaraLee’s Deals Steals and Giveaways & Michigan Saving and More

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide giveaways.

Bargnhtress, Deliciously Savvy, Giveaway Gator, Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains, Java John Z’s, MarksvilleandMe, Michigan Saving and More, My Crafty Zoo, My Silly Little Gang, SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways, Tales From A Southern Mom

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This giveaway’s Sponsor is:

Lionsgate

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ YOU TUBE ~ INSTAGRAM

PawParazzi

Available on Amazon

See the review HERE or HERE.

A fast-rising Hollywood starlet learns that people are more important than possessions in PawParazzi, arriving on DVD, Digital, and On Demand March 19. The cushy life of Latte the Hollywood dog is turned upside down when her owner, superstar actress London Bridges, heads to the boonies to make a new film.

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THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from this sponsor in the last 12 months. This Giveaway is valid in the United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 4/2/19. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to SaraLee at s8r8l33 (at)yahoo(dot) com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment.If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email SaraLee at s8r8l33 (at)yahoo(dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them! Don’t forget to stop by for your daily bonus entries.

Enter below and Good Luck!

 

Entry-Form

 

Classroom Valentines (And Stickers Too!) At Minted.com

** This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I was compensated for this post. **

Enjoy FREE Priority Shipping on Classroom Valentine and Sticker Orders $35+ with code BEMINE2019 at Minted! 



 


Every time I think I have it all figured out, Minted comes back and surprises me with something they offer that I never would have thought of! I guess what I should do from now on is just go ahead and check out their site before I even think about doing anything else. I mean, sure, I'm probably not going to find beef jerky there or toilet paper. But, I can find journals, stationery, an endless supply of art, calendars, invitations, some of the most unique greeting cards for every occasion (and maybe some occasions you didn't even know existed!), pillows, and the list just keeps going and going.

Well, now, I find that they have Valentines for my kid's classrooms! Not just Valentines but stickers too! As with most everything at Minted.com, you can personalize your classroom Valentines and your stickers too!

Minted's Classroom Valentine's Cards are created by independent artists (Just like everything on Minted.com!) so, you'll be helping them with your purchase. I always loved that everything on this site is made by an independent artist because I prefer to shop small and shop often with local businesses. I feel that more of the money makes it into the right hands this way! Besides that, the quality is top-notch!

There are styles to fit every personality and age at Minted.com. Another cool thing about Minted is that when you find an artist that just totally "gets" you and you think, "Oh, wow, I have to buy more from this magical person who knows exactly what I like and knows what it's like to be me!" you can simply click on their name and VOILA! There is their photo, a bio, and an easy to search catalog of their other creations. You can even "heart" their page and share their page on your social networks.



While you're deciding which Classroom Valentines to order for your kiddos, be sure to check out Minted's Valentine Photo Cards! (You can save 15% on those right now too!) You'll want to send valentines to everybody on your Christmas card list, your entire neighborhood, you might even start going through the phone book to grab some more addresses because the cards are seriously that cool! (Does anyone even use a phone book anymore?)

So, did you find anything extra awesome at Minted? I'd be delighted to read any comments about your favorites! I'm really digging the kid's Classroom Valentines! I'm thinking about buying the cards that look like records and the "you're rad" stickers myself. My kids found quite a few they really like. So far, the "Floss like a boss" cards are winning! There are even cards for your older children who may be just way too cool for things like this. For instance, my 12-year-old daughter really thinks the card that reads, "Here's your annual piece of paper and candy" is like, the best thing ever! It fits her attitude and it is quite charming!

I think it's extra cool that they are very fairly priced and come with matching envelopes and you can personalize a lot of them! This will save a great deal of time on the night before Valentines Day! Especially if you're working with a bigger classroom or more than one classroom.

Enjoy 15% Off Valentine Photo Cards with code SENDLOVE19 at Minted!

** edited to add that while 1 or more codes may have expired, you will find a new discount/coupon code through these same links! Minted is pretty good at that kind of stuff! **

Tips For Helping Your Child Succeed In Education

                    Education is one of the major keys to success in life. During the formative years, a child is receiving new information that will shape their understanding of life in some of the most critical ways. In order to make sure that your child gets the education they need and deserve, it's wise to take it a few steps further than the classroom. Consider the following ways you can help your child succeed in their educational journey.

1. Develop a tradition of reading.
It's often stated that reading is fundamental. It's virtually impossible to make it through life without knowing how to read. Therefore, it's wise to encourage your child to learn to love reading. You can do this by reading with your child. Allow your child to pick out the books that interest them. It's also a good idea to read a bedtime story each night. When you read together, it becomes a habit that your child will look forward to.

2. Limit screen time.
Technology is an important part of living in today's society. However, you don't want to allow the television or the iPad to babysit your child. Instead, find different programs that stimulate the brain and encourage educational enrichment. Typing software is a great investment so that your child can improve their computer skills. You can limit your child's amount of screen time by installing a timer that goes shuts the software after a specific amount of time.

3. Be relentless when it comes to exposure.
A child needs to be exposed to different experiences and activities. When you present a child with different options and experiences, this increases their chances of learning their interests, hobbies and future career endeavors. Enroll your child in different types of programs, camps and after-school activities. It's also a good idea to make sure that your child gets a well-rounded social life experience. This includes visits to the children's theaters, local libraries and kid-friendly museum exhibits.

As you work through these various tactics in order to improve your child's educational experience, understand that this will only enhance whatever your child learns in the classroom. When you do your job as a parent, you'll increase the likelihood of success for your child in the future.



             

Help! My Internet Is Down!

One of the most frightening things that happen these days, sadly, is when the internet goes down. Of course, it isn't an emergency but, it is terribly annoying when you have a gazillion bills to pay, emails to open and reply to, several blog posts, scheduled social media posts, grocery orders, homeschool lessons, and you need to put money on your school kid's lunch accounts and check their grades.

Unfortunately, we seem to rely on the internet a little too much. Although, a lot of places, including schools, make it difficult not to. I also rely on it as a full-time job so it is necessary to have reliable service.

Verizon cell phone data is available but for a pretty hefty price. We do have data on our plan but my husband uses the majority of this while driving truck. He needs it to access maps, check traffic situations, most of the brokers and companies he deals with use some sort of website for everything. So, the leftover data allowance isn't much.

I tried to salvage what I could so I could check in on social media accounts, catch a few Pokemon, and check in with my internet service provider to see what kind of progress was being made on the outage. We have been having outages quite a bit lately. Since last fall to be exact. So, I'm in the market for a new provider. We live in a very rural area so we don't have much to choose from. matter of fact, we have just 2 options. (We had just one option until about a year ago.)

The kids have been a little annoyed due to not having access to certain games, apps, Youtube, and Instagram accounts, (Our 10-year-old was recently allowed to create an Instagram.) Apparently, this was only for her to follow One Direction and everybody in One Direction and post pictures of none other than, One Direction. She does manage to fit in a few minutes a day to message a couple of her friends, though! But when they start asking things like, "What are we supposed to do?" (Actually, it's more like, "WAT are we supposed to doooooowhohoooo?") I start to think that maybe they're on to much.

We do have times they are allowed to be online and there are "no screen times" each day and at meals. But, if they seriously can't find something to do with their time when the internet is down, it makes me think I should cut that time in half yet again. I mean, after all, I found plenty to do when I was a kid without internet!

Times are different and most kids have learning apps and even their schools have different websites and accounts to log onto. They read books on their tablets nowadays and can even play video games. They can chat with friends who live far away or just across town. This all got me thinking of each individual activity that is done online and what could replace it offline?

It is very hard to replace everything since it seems to be so hard to find a house phone that isn't being used as just a fax. I haven't even seen a pay phone in years! Letter writing is nice but we can't mail to an @ symbol. We need a physical address. (Pen pals are being worked on, though!) Video games can be played on a console or in the form of board games, card games, or any of the other several games we have. (We love board games and cards at our house!) Books and research, well, I am not particularly fond of eBooks so we have an extensive, physical library inside the house. Research is done often online since I haven't purchased a new set of encyclopedias in many years. There are plenty of toys here, plenty of crafts, we all love to bake and cook so we have that too! (If the weather was nicer outside, they'd be out there digging holes and drawing with sidewalk chalk.) I decided to add more things to our "power is out" or "the internet is out" bins.

We have a toy bench filled to the brim with board games and cards. There are some crafts in there as well. Then there is a massive bin filled with googly eyes, paper, crayons, colored pencils, various pipe cleaners, pom poms, paints, foam stickers, fabric paints, everything and anything that can be used to occupy kids of all ages. My favorite would be the drawer in the end table that has every set of Rory's Story Cubes ever created, tons of National Geographic books and Mad Libs and a few Farmers Almanacs. Believe it or not, that is the most used drawer in the whole house.

Even when the internet is up and running, the most fun times at our house are family time. Whether that is just watching movies, baking cookies, or playing games, it really doesn't matter.

What are some fun things you do when the power is out or you don't have WiFi?

The Growing Popularity Of Cornhole

When the creators of cornhole created the game, they couldn't have predicted that it was going to become as popular as it has. The game is simple. It involves two teams tossing 6x6" bean bags at a board with a hole in it about 20 feet away. Players get 3 points for getting the bag in the hole and 1 point for landing it on the board. The first team to 21 wins. 

Cornhole certainly is one of the most popular leisure games in America, especially in the midwest. Drive by any barbecue or tailgate party and you will see the game being played. The game is so popular that there is now an arcade game version made by the same company that created Golden Tee. Now, fans of the game can even play it inside. 

Why is it popular? 

It is curious that the game is so widely played. It's not really an original idea. Some version of it has been played for centuries. Nevertheless, the sport has captured the attention of the American leisure game enthusiast. I think there are a few reasons for this. 

It's Easy to Learn and Play

Cornhole doesn't require a lot of athletic talent. This makes it fun because anyone can play. It's fun whether you're playing socially or competing. Anyone can be good at the game regardless of their age. 

The social aspect of cornhole is also important. You can easily hold a conversation during a match. This is why it is so popular at parties. Of course, there are very serious players that compete in nationally. Last year, they even held a tournament at Soldier Field in Chicago. 

Equipment 

If you are really into the game and like to host parties, get your own cornhole set. There are a lot of companies like Custom Corn Toss that sell official cornhole boards. The games are made from top-quality durable materials and will last for years. If you are one of those people that leaves stuff like this outside, don't worry. They are completely weather resistant. 

Another cool thing you can do is get a customer cornhole game. Add a little flair to your set by getting your favorite college sports team's logo painted on it. You can even get two rivals teams painted on them and have competitions on game day. Your imagination is the only limitation when it comes to creating a custom cornhole set. 

Super Wubble Ball Review AND A Giveaway!

** We received a free product and payment in return for our honest review and promoting this giveaway and the Super Wubble Ball. All opinions are my own. **


I'm sure you had to have seen a commercial or an ad online for a Wubble Ball in the past few years. My kids ask for them a LOT and they have had a few so far. Of course sometimes they pop and sometimes they last for a bit and provide fun for parties, sleepovers, or just a week outside with an enormous, inflated ball that provides hours of giggles. It's so lovely to find a toy that offers so much fun without needing a charger or a screen!

Now, I probably wouldn't say that this is ok for little ones to do but, this is my 13 year old and I couldn't stop cracking up at this so I had to take a pic. The Super Wubble Ball is totally fun for all ages. I'm 42 and had a hard time sharing it after I found how much fun it was to dribble and kick around the house! 

My youngest had a blast, playing drums and giggling so much he was literally falling on the floor! 

So, I mentioned that sometimes Wubble Balls might pop. This is usually when they are thrown towards or on something that might, well, pop the ball. It isn't going to last forever but you will find that there is a lifetime replacement guarantee on select Wubble Balls, including the new Super Wubble Ball! You can find more on their website and it requires just the cost of shipping, ($6.99) and the valve from the Wubble Ball you need replaced. I haven't used this guarantee just yet but, I do have one to send in and will update on the process in the near future! 

We have had the Super Wubble, inflated and deflated, several times throughout the past week and it has definitely been played with! It is still 100% intact! This is the longest and hardest that we have had one last however, the 2 we lost were due to being popped on something which wasn't necessarily the Wubble Ball's fault. The Super Wubble Ball is much sturdier and has proven itself at our house already! 

We put our Super Wubble Ball through some strenuous tests and so far, it has passed, 100%. It has been kicked, hit, smashed, jumped on, jumped in, squeezed, pinched, flung, kicked some more, used as a chair, a bed, a pillow, bounced off the wall, bounced off each other, and used as drums and it still inflates nicely! I do expect it to have a hole at some point, only because you aren't going to have as much fun with it if you are always worried about it popping! (and you're REALLY going to want to play with this until your heart is content! Or uh, your kids will want to... I'm not necessarily worried about it if it does get a snag or a small hole because they include a patch kit which will cover small to medium sized holes or even just a snag in the top layer. After that, I will simply send it back to be replaced! 

This is our 13 year old again, using the Super Wubble as a bean bag "ish" chair. He claims it is really comfy and that he could sleep on it but, I don't know! 

He was trying his best to get as much weight on it as possible and even tried to put his weight on a small section, just to test the strength. It still didn't pop or even scratch the surface! 

This is our youngest and even he couldn't pinch and squeeze it enough to harm it! So, after a week and after our tests, I think it's fair to say that they really outdid themselves with the Super Wubble Ball! Wubble Ball did make the Super Wubble from their very own top secret, "Xpandium" which is 4 times stronger and more tear resistant then the original Wubble Ball. 

Here are some tips that my kids and I put together:

You will need 4 AA batteries for the pump that is included with your Super Wubble, We tried other Wubble pumps but those didn't fit. Which is fine because you have a new one in the box! 

You won't receive a tape measure in the box like other ones, so, either use a different tape measure or one from a previous box. You want to be sure to blow this one up to it's recommended size. 

Common sense is needed to help make sure you don't have to say goodbye to your Wubble Ball! It's probably not a great idea to play with puppies, dogs, even cats! It's also probably not a great idea to play and bounce it towards the stove while something is cooking. Use common sense, provide an open space, and either join in with playtime or get a few things done while the kids are entertained. 

Don't forget, there is a lifetime replacement guarantee and a patch kit! Use those first before throwing yours away and being down. 

Don't forget to enter down below for a chance to win your own Super Wubble Ball! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sky-Vu Drive In Theater #GratzPA Giveaway

This is the post for our local giveaway for the pair of adult tickets, 2 medium drinks, and 2 medium popcorns, for the Sky Vu Drive In Theater in Gratz! Please only enter if you are local and plan on going to the drive in :) I am using my blog to post the giveaway app for this prize!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

I Wish I Had These Scented Markers When I Was A Kid!

"This post was sponsored by Mr. Sketch® as part of a sampling activation for Crowdtap. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review."

I remember scented markers from when I was a little kid. (A long time ago, like back in the 70's and 80's!) and I remember the whole class being super ecstatic, every time our teacher pulled the scented markers out. They smelled so much like chocolate, and chemicals, and omg! You could smell the black marker from a mile away! Sometimes, if you were close enough and it was being used a lot, your eyes would water. But, we didn't care! Because, it was scented markers! They were almost as cool as scratch and sniff stickers! So, I was more then pleased when I smelled these markers. They certainly don't have that gross eye watering, chemical scent to them at all. Actually, they smell very similar to what the package lists them as smelling like.

My kids love these markers and they use them a great deal! They work well, smell good, they actually are washable, and the colors are bold and bright! I'm not a fan of banana scent. I would have preferred lemon, but, the banana scented marker is my 5 year old son's very favorite one! My favorites are the cinnamon (brown) and blueberry (the darker, brighter blue.)

I intend on grabbing a bigger pack and having them on hand for birthday gift add ons, prizes for parties, and for my own kids, so when they run out (they will at some point.), they can open another pack. I think these go well for rainy day arts and crafts, gifts, just regular artwork days when your kids want to draw and color for hours and hours, (seems like this is everyday!) and of course, my 9 year old daughter just has to use them to color coordinate her journals, book covers, notebooks, and anything else that needs a splash of bright color and a fruity or candy scent.

Oh yeah, if you check the back of the pack, you will see this really awesome label!! It reads, "Assembled in the USA!" This seems to be so rare these days and whenever I do see a label similar to this, I'm a fan for life.

Glo Wubble Bubble Ball

* We received a Glo Wubble and compensation in return for our review. All opinions are our own. *

We tried a Wubble Ball a few months ago and had the most fun ever with that toy! Unfortunately, yes, it popped, BUT, I sent in for the warranty that The Amazing Wubble Bubble Ball offers and sure enough, they will replace your Wubble Bubble Ball. All you have to do is pay for shipping!! That isn't so bad, considering, shipping is just $6.99 and you do receive a brand new Wubble Ball or Glo Wubble. (Depending on which one you need replaced!) and yes, indeed, this is a lifetime replacement warranty, so, no worries there!

The fact that this toy brings so much entertainment and so much fun, even if it only lasts for a few days of outdoor play or a few months if you are careful, is reason enough for us to include this product in our gift guide and continue to play, buy, and recommend this product and all of their other fun Wubble Balls!

You can find a lot of really sweet deals on all of the Wubble Balls right now and they are perfect to have on hand for parties, picnics, last minute gift ideas, birthday gifts for neighbor kids and friends. (You know, those last minute invites and presents you have about an hour to figure out!?) Everybody who has played at our house when we have a Wubble Ball, bugs and bugs every time they come over, "Could we please get the Wubble Ball out?" My 12 year old is able to use the pump (Yes, the pump is included with this one!) and get it ready for play! Not only does it get all of the kids outside and active, it allows me to get some things done. That alone makes this product worth it to me!

Between all of the shrieks and laughs and yelps outside, (or downstairs in the play area, if it's raining.), the kids are having fun, taking turns, playing dodgeball, volleyball, or whatever new game they make up and all of those squealing kids will play for as long as you let them! This is one of my favorite benefits of the Wubble Balls! They get off of the video games, televisions, computer screens and cell phones and they play and play. Oh and get along while they play! (I can't stress enough how important it is to me that my children do spend quality time together, getting along!) I know, sometimes it seems like it is totally impossible!

What do your kids do for fun together? I don't know any kid who wouldn't want a gigantic ball to throw around at each other, especially a glow in the dark one!! Plus, it makes for good times for the grown ups too!!

Beads For Every Occasion

I never put much thought into it until just recently when it occurred to me, (or my 8 year old daughter started her bead obsession.), that beads aren't just for making those little friendship safety pins we used to make in school. There are actually a lot of crafts and absolutely gorgeous things you can do with beads!

I consider myself a "DIY'er" however, I am limited to creating recipes, candle making, homemade beauty products, cheesemaking and my new fascination, mason jars and doilies and lots of pretty paints! I can't sew, (I know, weird huh?) My husband is in charge of fixing any buttons or hems or holes and I don't really want to learn at this point. I don't have the time, nor do I have the patience to even thread the needle. Sometimes, I think about all of the cute bags and things I could make if I only knew how to sew but then I get the needle and thread out and I'm ready to scream in about 5 minutes!

I stumbled across this website, that sells mill hill beads and after finding that beads just aren't the same anymore. (This is a good thing!) I think I may have to start a collection of different beads! I know my youngest daughter would go crazy over being able to make some beaded bracelets and design her own handbags, pencil cases, even bead dazzle a shirt or 2!

Now, if you are already a bead expert, don't laugh at me. When I think of beads, I just think of the typical, solid color beads that I used to buy by the bagful as a kid so I could make those totally rad safety pins to clip onto my backpacks. I didn't realize there are antique beads, glass beads, frosted glass beads, wooden beads, different shaped beads, I am completely shocked at the variety available!

If you are a newbie like me, you can start out with some kits and even try some wooden bead crafts first. I have been finding a lot of kid friendly and newbie friendly, bead crafts on Pinterest and on several craft blogs. I may be able to graduate to something really fancy and maybe make some beaded sleeves for my collection of mason jars! What do you think?

Maybe, after threading some beads, I will get the hang of it and be able to thread that sewing needle. Then, maybe I can get to these stacks of mix matched fabric squares I bought and make some fairy tale, drawstring bags!

A Must Have For Sleepovers, Camping, And All Summer Long

These are the perfect addition for any slumber party! I am so happy I found an actual canister of 100 rather then having to grab a bunch of smaller packs and possibly running out. (Yes, the price is very nice to!)

We have been using these so often and you would think we would have run out by now but, we sometimes freeze some and reuse them. (This doesn't always work BUT it works sometimes.) It seems that the green and yellow work well for refreezing and I have no idea why. (If anybody knows why, please, fill me in!) I have 4 kids so, everything I buy or make, has to be a bit bigger or in excess of, so that everybody has their fair share. Plus, we always like to be sure we have enough for friends, guests, play dates and spontaneous princess parties!



 


This 100 pack of glow bracelets (or glow sticks if you don't want to use the included attachments), come in a nifty canister and are very reasonably priced! So far, we only had a couple of duds and that is expected. I actually expected more, since if I buy a 10 pack, I usually have a couple that don't work, at least.

The color selection inside the can also made the girls shriek with delight! Yes, there are pinks and purples and the boys were happy with orange and green. (The typical glow stick colors.) They sometimes end up making necklaces or glow stick circles to throw around the backyard and much to my surprise, these actually worked and stayed together quite well!

This is a product I would purchase again. Especially since we host several parties, sleepovers and have neighborhood kids over a lot. These make great party favors, they are perfect and inexpensive enough to hand out to friend's and neighbor kids and they make fun special treats for movie nights or sleep in the living room night.









I would also recommend these to anybody who needs extra prizes, treats for classrooms, your kid's sports teams, your community center, teachers, day cares, anything where kids are involved, these will certainly bring smiles to their faces!

I also use these for chore rewards, in our, "Behavior Bucks Store" (This is where the kids can buy items with their "behavior bucks" that they earned each  month.). We make our own "Healthy Happy Meals" and the kids love these because they have their favorite snacks, healthy foods and  a small prize inside. These work well for those too!

I think another fun use for these would be for games after dark, in the warmer months. Hide and seek maybe? I know you can come up with something! I would also love suggestions! Please comment with your ideas for family fun with glow sticks!

IMAX Theaters Presents How to Train Your Dragon 2

Starting this Friday, June 13th, the second chapter of DreamWorks Animation's beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise is soaring to all IMAX theatres domestically in select engagements.
 The IMAX 3D release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®, creating a unique environment that will make audiences feel as though they are flying alongside heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon, Toothless.
 Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T.J. Miller, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig reprise their respective voice roles, joined this time by Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett, Djimon Honsou and Kit Harington.
 If you would like more information about How to Train Your Dragon 2, please visit Dreamworks Animation's official website here!
You can also click here to check IMAX Theater locations and local showtimes.



**Disclosure** The information in this post has been provided by IMAX.

Sports Illustrated for KIds ( Super Cool Christmas Gift!)

My kids absolutely love receiving mail. Most of the time, there isn't much mail for them, since they are kids, lol. But they even love to open up the junk mail and paging through all of the catalogs we get every day.
Once every few months, they do each receive a Lego magazine, and that is by far, their favorite day ever.
One thing that is very important to me, especially these days, is the lack of exercise, outdoor play, and reading. It seems this is a problem with kids these days, and parents who tend to think their children should just sit and watch television or play video games, and they aren't outside as much, or playing in team sports. This is one of the biggest problems I believe children have, and I wish rather then sitting in front of computers and tv's, they would be using their imaginations, and playing like we used to when we were kids.
Of course there isn't anything wrong with tv and video games and computers sometimes, but these things should be only some of the time, and not all day every day.
Sports Illustrated for Kids, is an excellent gift for your kids, for many reasons.
I love how this magazine takes our kids favorite team players, and promote being active, playing together as a team, and of course, reading.
It takes all the cool stuff kids like, their favorite teams, role models, players, and has interesting articles our little ones love.
Not to mention, their website, is also a fun place for kids to hang out and rea more about their favorite sports teams and players!
There are usually contests, my kids love the caption contests! Photos, games and a lot more.
You can also find them on Facebook! 
They are offering a subscription for only $19.95! This is for print and tablet.
Sports Illustrated for Kids has received the highest honors from The Association of Educational Publishers and Parents Choice Awards.
This will make an awesome stocking stuffer for your kids, grandkids, or any sports fans on your Christmas list.

Chalk City® Activity Kit Review and Giveaway!!

This is one of the most creative and most useful outdoor toys me and the little ones have seen in a long time!
We had the privilege of reviewing the Chalk City outdoor activity set, and the kids are still having a blast with this toy!
The kit comes with enough chalk to last for quite some time, which comes in handy. We were pretty impressed with the contents of this kit and everything is very well made and will stand up to a few little kiddos arguing over who uses what, lol!
The Chalk City Activity Kit includes:
1 Road Maker® Holds two pieces of sidewalk chalk and creates roadways or courses for kids to run or ride around on their favorite riding toy.
3 Road Sign Stencils: Between the Road Maker® chalk lines, kids can learn the rules of the road with the Stop Sign, Turn Left/Right, and Straight Ahead Stencils
3 Obstacle Course Stencils: Between the Road Maker® chalk lines, kids can enhance their outdoor physically active play time with the Jumping Jacks, Spin Left/Right, Hop Both Feet/Left Foot/Right Foot Stencils
20 pieces of Sidewalk Chalk
1 Activity Booklet Offers a variety of additional games and cities to enhance the Chalk City toy experience

Unfortunately when we received this in the mail, we were in the middle of a few days of rain, so we had to keep this hidden after the kids opened it, because they wanted to start in the laundry room, and on the walls!!
Finally, after about 5 days of rain, the kids woke up and immediately saw the sky was clear, the sun was out, and this was the very 1st thing they wanted to do! Luckily, we have a big cement slab in the middle of the yard, and the size was just right for them to create their own little city.

Aaron and Genevive each made different parts of their chalk city, complete with driveaways, neighborhoods, and Aaron even had a farm in his little town. Genevive had a few stores and a house with a mailbox, and they would take turns with Deegan, and drive back and forth to visit each other.
It was very neat to watch the little wheels in their brains, turning and moving like crazy, and how their little towns operated. Aaron traded Genevive, produce from his farm, for some postage stamps and snacks at her store, lol, and they also had a gas station and a school and Genevive had so much fun drawing some of her friends houses so she could go visit them.

Of course after a while, the lines started getting crossed and the streets were intersecting, but it rained again that evening so they were able to start all over again the very next morning!
As a parent, I am thrilled with this product! I love finding new ways for my children to express themselves, and I especially love when they are learning when they don't even know it! Chalk City will provide hours and hours of fun for your little ones, and maybe even mom and dad!
It is so nice to get them away from the Tv and video games, (we try to do that as often as possible!!) But, they beg to get out the door to play with their city and their chalk. Deegan is 2, so of course he is a little limited as to what he can do with stencils and things, but he is learning. Genevive is 5 and she was perfectly able to use the stencils, and Road maker. This product is very user friendly.
My husband and I had fun sitting on the porch, watching them create their city, and playing together, AND getting along! It was amazing to see how much the kids pick up on, and how they worked together to make something very neat and fun for them to play with. They shared, and brainstormed, and discussed different parts of their towns, and really, they didn't miss a thing! They had stores, a post office, Aaron's farm, lol, a school, and everything a little town needs to get by. I believe that was the best part for us. To watch them behave and work together and shock us with all they actually know about the world around them.
You can check out Chalk City's website here, and enter your zip code to see where you can buy this awesome kit!!
Chalk City is also on Facebook!

GIVEAWAY!!
Enter for your chance to win a Chalk City® Activity Kit for your favorite little ones!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Putty Buddy Met My Kids Expectations (and Mine)

We received an order of Ruby Red Putty Buddy in the mail, and the kids tore the package open asap!! They went crazy and I kept thinking, really?? LOL! Kids love all kinds of crazy things, and things that seem so dull to us, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, (well, ok, I do like bubble wrap too;) But I often wonder what in the world and how in the world, do some of these companies stay above water?
Well, Putty Buddy is one of those things I thought of course the kids will like it, but what does this guy think he's doing? I have been proven wrong, by the reaction from my kids, all 3 of the youngest ones, (2,5, and now 9), and I am very pleased with how much time I have freed up by this little container of Ruby Red Putty Buddy!

Genevive, of course always makes hearts out of everything, and she especially liked the color and how easy it was for her to shape it without any help from a brother or mom or dad!

Aaron, always likes to make people and monsters and animals, and his little brother is always so proud of Aaron's creations. He thinks he is super cool:)

This stuff is quite interesting and very versatile! They were able to do and make everything that it claims to do, bounce, stretch, mold, it is pretty much endless, and really does provide hours of entertainment!
The kids were thrilled to get this in the mail, and they were anxiously awaiting it's arrival! They had already watched the videos on the website and were freaking out about how cool it was!
Putty Buddy comes in 2 colors, (and I can assure you, it does not stain a thing!!) Groovy Green or Ruby Red.
The price is reasonable, especially when you are going to grab more then one.
1 cost $9.99
2 for $15.99
OR you can grab 3 for $19.99! (that is the best deal, you buy 2 and get 1 free!!)
You can check them out on Facebook here!!
I would love to read any comments from our friends!! Did you order any? What did your kids think?
I am aware that there are a lot of recipes out there to make our own homemade gobbly putty playdoh clay gak slime stuff, lol, but I like this price and the deals, and as much as we love making our own of everything, I have to say that the cost of ingredients is about the same if not more. Plus, I really never had any come out quite as nice as this stuff. So, this is one of those things we would rather buy then create on our own!
Plus, we love to support small business!! I think it would be cool to have maybe a couple new colors added in the near future;) HINT HINT!!

Tundra Finds her Howler by Marc Rumaner

The pictures in this book are just so vibrant and colorful, and we just sat here and admired them for quite some time!! The kids loved the pictures of all of the animals, not to mention the story is very sweet!
Tundra tries to get some help from some other animals to ask where her howler is, and they can't seem to help since they are not Alaskan Malamutes, like Tundra. She wants so much to sing with her friends, but can't, and she tries and tries and tries, and doesn't give up! ( valuable lesson for children of all ages!!)
That's what I like best about books like this, is what my children gain and learn from it. Tundra teaches them to not give up and to keep trying! You will succeed when you keep at it and have faith.
It is especially neat because children catch on very quickly when the lesson is taught through a book with gorgeous pictures, and cute animals. More so, then if I would just give a speech:) (of course you should always still be positive and teach your kids, but when you find a genuine good book like, Tundra Finds her Howler, you should use the story along with it! It is thanks to stories like this that we can build character, not only in our children, but in ourselves.
I especially love when my children, have no clue they are learning, and they enjoyed the story, the pictures, and were so proud of Tundra at the end! My 2 year old just loves animals, especially doggies, lol, so he was very thrilled to see these pictures and giggled at the animal sounds! Our 5 year old loved the pictures, and making the animal noises herself, and even tried to help Tundra along the way! Even our big boy, who is almost 9, was fascinated by the pictures and certainly got the lesson at the end. Genevive, (the 5 year old), was trying to fix a ring she loves that broke the other day, and her big brother reminded her of the story, helped her with the ring, and together they fixed it! He said, "Oh Genevive, don't give up hope! You will find a way to fix this! remember Tundra found a way, so can you!" It was so adorable, (of course they don't always get along!) But, every now and then they have these moments where they work together, and help each other, and I have to say, it has always been after reading a story like this one.
I would recommend this book for all children! You will not be disappointed, especially with the ending and the pictures!

If you want to see more of Tundra, (by the way, Tundra is real, and actually Marc's dog!) She has a brother named, Igloo, and they have all kinds of adorable pictures on their site!! , you can visit them at www.igloominations.com!!


** We received a copy of this book in return for our honest review **

A Quest for Good Manners by Karin Lefranc

I have 4 children, and they are so similar to Rosalind and her pet dragon, Sparkler.(I think a lot of children are;)
That's one reason this book was so special! It made my little ones laugh at the beginning, because they do the same, and hear the same as the characters did!
We really enjoyed reading this book, and the kids of course, were all full of manners immediately afterwards! (Yes, I have to read it often, but luckily, Aaron, he is 8, loves to read out loud too!)
The illustrations are charming, and the book itself is especially neat. The kids love the cover, and even the way the words are on the pages. (We loved the please, thank you and your welcome parts.)
By the middle of the book, Genevive, (she is 5), was able to understand before I read it, what they should have done or said, and we were super proud that she was learning some manners!

I really love the cute story and how simple the author makes the lesson of manners that some of us parents have a hard time with. Of course, at least in our family, the kids are great in public, but when it comes to respecting each other and being kind and considerate at home, it doesn't last to long. But, all in all, so far, we have had a wonderful response with this book and even Deegan,(he's 2), knows that when this book comes off the shelf, it is please and thank you time!

We had so much fun reading, and I personally had a lot of fun seeing the children actually be kind and considerate to each other. (Even if just for the day;) But, everytime we read it, they go on their own journey and are kind and have manners here at home!

I recommend this to all little princes and princesses, and any parent or grandparent who may be getting tired of repeatedly asking, well, begging, for their little ones to have some manners!
You can buy this book on Amazon!

You can also check out A Quest for Good Manners on Facebook!!

** We received a copy of this book in return for our honest review **

FREE Children's eBooks Today on Amazon!!

Make sure and grab these quick, as the rice could change at any time.
If you don't have a Kindle, you can always download the Kindle for PC directly from Amazon!

250 Bath and Body Recipes eBook Review AND Roadrunner Digital eBook Giveaway!!

If you are a friend of mine, (I like to say friend, rather then "follower", or "fan"), or ok, a reader;) then you probably have seen me go absolutely crazy about this very cool website and digital eBook store, RoadrunnerDigital!
I do love to read and to learn, and so do my little ones, and Roadrunner Digital has an awesome variety of books to choose from. So far, I grabbed recipe books, books that help with internet marketing, social networking, understanding SEO, how to make lip balm and lip gloss, (which is one of the summer activities, Genevive, and I will be doing together;), and this super sweet book, 250 Bath and Body Recipes!!
This is chock full of some easy to make recipes for all kinds of things that we pay way to much for at the store! Homemade bath and body products are also much better for you then the products we buy at the store, pus, we know what is going in them!
This is also a fun thing to do with your little ones, which is what Genevive and I are starting together. We are trying to have our own thing, since Genevive's oldest sister, Bethany, (Our 1st little princess:), is out on her own now, and then she has these 2 terribly annoying but so adorable, brothers, lol! I figured, if mommy and Genevive have our own special things to do, then mommy and Deegan, and mommy and Aaron, the kids feel much more important and are a lot happier! They, and I, can look forward to our own special time together.
Of course, we do things as a family, but with 4 kids, and now a granddaughter on the way, it is important to make sure that each of them has their own thing. Their dad always gets to do the fun stuff with them, (or so it seems), since daddy's always have them outside when they cut the grass or work on cars or 4 wheelers, and watch the cool stuff on TV. (What's TV, right??) lol;)
But anyway, back to this fun book and giveaway!!
You can find most all of these ingredients in your house, the grocery store, and a pharmacy! You can make anything from powders, to cleansers to masques!! Anything that will save money, and be better for my family, is always going to be my first choice. I am sure it is yours too!! Plus, you get the added benefit, which is, you have something fun to do with children, grandchildren, a neighbor, your mom, friends, you can have a much needed girls night out and hang out and bake cookies, (or just eat them;), and try the recipes in this eBook!
You can win your own copy, (this is valued at $27), and it is an instant download, so as soon as you reply to the winner notification email, you can download it asap!!
You can enter here!!
Leave comments below and let us know what eBook you would like to see next as a prize!! You will earn a couple extra entries this way and the more entries, the more prizes!!
You can check out Roadrunner Digital here, and leave the title of what you would love to own, below!!