Funny Friday - Anita Renfroe (Momisms)

So, today was one of those days when I felt like I was yelling at the kiddos constantly.  They are overtired and cranky from too many summer activities (and apparently I am too!).  I needed a good laugh and looked up one of my favorite comedians, Anita Renfroe, on YouTube.   While she has several videos I love (I'm sure you'll see more on future Fridays.), this one is a classic.  :o)

GeekDad = Fun For All, A Review

Now that I've given you all a glimpse of my geeky side (and you didn't boycott), you're going to be seeing more of it.  I truly am a geek at heart.  I love when my kids ask questions that I don't know the answers to.  I laugh at ridiculous math and science jokes.  I want to build a bat house with the girls to help control our insect population.  That is why, when I was given the chance to review GeekDad by Ken Denmead, I jumped at the chance. 

As soon as I received the book I quickly scanned through it.  I was immediately impressed with the variety of projects that you could undertake.  From preschool to high school, this book has something for everyone!  There are art projects, outdoor projects, building projects, and even projects for the environmental geek.  I was also thrilled that the author broke each project down by cost, difficulty, duration and reusability.  Nothing is more exciting for a geek than an easy to read reference table to save you time and energy.  Bearing in mind that Peanut and Pumpkin are only 6 and 4, I was somewhat limited in the projects I could do with my kids.   

The first project to catch my eye was the Windup Toy Finger Painting.  The main idea of this project is to paint the bottom of windup or battery powered toys so that they create your artwork as they travel around a piece of paper.  Searching through the house, we were able to find two cars and a Bumble Ball Jr.  (We also found a Zhu Zhu pet, but weren't sure how well that would wash up after a good paint job.)  Not wanting to go down to the crawl space to get the real paint, I deviated from the directions a bit by making my girls paint the wheels with watercolor paints rather than having cups or saucers with paint that they could dip the wheels into.  I think the final result may have been nicer if I'd make the extra effort to get the better paints.  Also, Ken suggests that you use levels, rulers, lumber, etc as barriers to constrain the toys.  I found that using a cardboard box worked really well too.

Overall, the kids had a really great time and enjoyed this project.  The paintings looked very nice, even more so after I framed them.  I will definitely do it again, perhaps with some new toys and better paints.  Our next project, however, is the Pirate Cartography.  I can't wait to see what adventure that will bring!

If you're asking yourself if you should get this book, here's my opinion:

• If you and your kids are geeks . . . Yes!  What a fun way to spend time with your kids doing projects that will be interesting to them and you.  You can encourage their geekiness and show off your own.
• If you or your kids are geeks . . . Yes! What a great way to connect.  You can start simple and work your way up to the more advanced projects.
• If neither you nor your kids are geeks . . . Yes!  I think many of these projects are fun for everyone, geek or not.  Besides, all kids should be well rounded.  You never know when it might be advantageous to be well-versed in geek.

After a quick search, I found that this book is available at my local library.  If you still aren't sure if it is a book you'd enjoy, check yours to see if you can preview it there first.  Personally, I think this is a book to own because the projects really do span several years.  If you decide to purchase it, you can find it on Amazon, or another great site, ThinkGeek.

*Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book for review purposes, but did not receive any other compensation.  I do not receive any benefits if you purchase any products from any stores that I mention in this or any other post (unless specified).   All opinions are my own.  Others may have different experiences.

Thankful Thursday - Simple Joys

My kiddos are still young and truly appreciate the simple things in life. . . from a sparkler on the 4th of July to the first snowfall.  Just this week when I was picking Pumpkin up from camp, she was just glowing.  She couldn't have been more proud of the pet rock she made and was carrying over to show off.   I am so thankful that they do appreciate the little things.  They can find joy in the most basic items, events, and occurrences.  Each day I am more amazed at what my children remind me of and teach me about.

Wordless Wednesday - The White Wooly Bears (I think) are Back!

One2One and the WNBA

As a One2One member, I often receive information about products, programs, discounts, and websites.  Currently One2One and the WNBA are offering discounted tickets to One2One members, family and friends.  This is a great opportunity to do something unique with your family at an affordable price.  Unfortunately, I don't live near a WNBA team, but you might.  If you do, check out the discounts available here.  The offers are good through the end of the regular season.

*Disclaimer:  By sharing this information with you, I am now eligible to win a $50 gift card from One2One.

Thermos - Twitter Party and Giveaway

I know you have heard of Thermos.  It is a name, that instead of being recognized simply as a brand, is synonymous with the products we love to keep our hot foods hot and our cold foods cold.  In case you haven't noticed, just because someone calls a container a Thermos doesn't mean it is.  Thermos containers really do keep your food and beverages at the appropriate temperature longer than any of the other brands I've used.  Thermos is great because it not only reminds us of our childhood, but also includes products that we can feel good about using for our children.  Thermos only makes products that are BPA-free, and allows you easy access to view their CPSIA compliance certificates for any of their products.

On Tuesday, August 10 from 2-3pm EDT,  @ThermosBrand will be having back-to-school discussion with leading product-safety and food-safety experts.  You can ask questions, provide tips about what matters to you and help prepare your family for a safe and healthy back-to-school season. Participate by using the #ThermosBTS hashtag and you will automatically be entered to win some of their newest lunch boxes and FUNtainer products.

In addition to winning by joining the twitter party, you also have a chance to win here.  Look at this adorable Littlest Pet Shop FUNtainer jar from the Thermos website.  You can enter to win this jar and the matching bottle in a few easy steps:

Mandatory Entry:  Browse the Thermos lunch products and tell me one SPECIFIC item that you would love to have for your child for back-to-school.  If this is not done, you will be ineligible to win.

Optional Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter.  Post your username in the comments.
2. Tweet about this giveaway using @rmgm and @ThermosBrand.  Post a link to your tweet here.  This can be done once daily.  
3. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect and post a comment with your username.
4. Like Thermos on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall stating that MomOnTheEdge sent you.  Leave me a comment with your Facebook Initials.

Details:

• Only open to US residents
• Winner will be chosen using random.org
• Giveaway ends 11:59pm ET on August 14, 2010
• Include your email address in your comment if it is not available on your profile page.  If an email address in not in the comment or on your profile page another winner will be chosen.   I will not contact you through Twitter or Facebook.
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
• Prizes will be sent directly from the sponsor.  I am not responsible for prizes that are lost or damaged during shipment.  If you win a prize and do not receive it, please let me know.

*Note:  This giveaway is sponsored by Thermos.  I did not receive any compensation in exchange for hosting this giveaway.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Others may have different experiences.

My waterslide quest continues . . .

For those of you that know me, you are well aware that I am rather frugal.  I don't like to spend money on myself, and only buy "treats" for the girls if they are on sale well below retail.  I love to find great deals on items that we'd love to have.  In 2006, I found a small 8x8 bounce house at our local KBToys when it was going out of business.  It only cost around $30 and has been worth that 10 times over.  In 2007 I found a PowerWheels Jeep Hurricane for my nephew for only $80 from Linens N Things.  In retrospect I should have gotten one for the girls too.   I love the after Christmas sales, the summer clearance sales, and just about any other bargain I can find.

For the past 3 years I've been searching and waiting for a great deal on a large inflatable water slide.  You can see here why I think we need one.  Unfortunately, I haven't had any luck yet.  Living in a small town, the stores we do have don't carry large amounts of inventory that they need to clear out.   We have to drive quite a distance to larger stores and by the time we get there, others have already purchased the items we were hoping to find.  I've recently decided that my best shot at a reasonable price might be to win one from a kind blogger like J Leigh Designz and a great company like BounceHousesNow.  If I do get lucky and win, I'd only have to pay the taxes on the slide. 

Please wish me luck.  I know I'll have my fingers and toes crossed until her giveaway ends on August 23.  You might even want to head over there yourself and try your luck.  If you win though, you have to at least invite us over to play.  This slide looks like so much fun!

*Disclaimer:  I wrote this post in order to get 2 extra entries into J Leigh Designz BounceHousesNow giveaway.

Ten Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe and Successful School Year

Twittermoms and Airwear are offering bloggers another opportunity to post about an important topic and possibly earn some prizes in the process.  With a new school year just around the corner, we all know that it is time to start thinking about back-to-school shopping.  In addition to preparing our kids with all the necessary supplies for school, we also need to remember to prepare them physically, mentally, and emotionally to ensure a healthy safe and successful school year.

1. Vision Screening - If you haven't taken your child recently, or if you've noticed a change in his/her ability to see objects either close up or at a distance, then you should be sure to take him/her to have a vision screening.  If a child can't see, it makes it very difficult to learn.
2. Hearing Screening - While my kiddos may choose not to listen to me, they can hear just fine.  Like vision, hearing is vital to being successful in school.
3. Yearly physical - Neither of my kiddos were born in August, but once they became preschoolers, we began to schedule their yearly physicals at back-to-school time.  I want to make sure they start the year strong and healthy.
4. Family Information - Before heading back to school, we make sure that the kids know all of our important family information.  Both girls know their names, addresses, phone numbers, our names, etc.  If they happen to need one of us while they are at school, they should be able to recite our phone numbers without a second thought. 
5. School Visit - Many children need to be prepared for what to expect when attend school.  If possible plan a school visit so that your child can see the school layout, their classroom, the bathrooms, etc.  
6. Secret Code Word - When I was very young, my parents gave me a secret code word that we were not to tell anyone.  That code word was a word that was special to our family, but no one else would ever guess.  Without that code word, we should not get into the car with or go home with anyone other than the person we had expected to pick us up.  We now have a secret code word for our girls too.
7. Daily Recap - When Peanut gets home from school, she rarely has anything to say about her day.  However, when we are saying prayers before bed, she seems to relax enough to tell me all the good and bad things that happened during the day.  We are sure to leave some extra time in planning bedtime so that we have the opportunity to discuss the daily happenings.  
8. Homework Routine - We try to stick to a routine all year long, even in the summer.  We think it is especially important during the school year though.  After school, the girls can have a snack and some short downtime.  However, before dinner we like to get all of our homework done.  This allows us to make sure the girls get to bed at a reasonable time each night. 
9. Early Bedtime - Even during the summer, our girls go to bed around 8:00pm.  I don't like to have to wake them up in the morning for school (they get cranky), so getting them to bed on time is very important.
10. Balanced Meals - Making sure Peanut and Pumpkin get the nutrients they need to be able to concentrate during school is very important.  We try to make sure they eat a healthy and balanced, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

In addition to these tips, I want to make sure you know about Airwear’s essay contest at www.LighterSaferGreener.com. Airwear and  Beth Aldrich are sponsoring an essay contest for consumers, encouraging parents and care-givers to share how they plan to help their kids live a healthy, safe and successful school year. Families can submit their thoughts by visiting LighterSaferGreener.com. One grand prize winner will be awarded $1,000, while 10 first prize winners will receive vouchers for Airwear lenses valued up to $400. On LighterSaferGreener.com can learn more about Airwear’s eco-friendly practices and view more of Aldrich’s tips to ensure kids have a healthy, safe and successful school year.






Safe, Healthy, Eco-friendly EyewearAirwear Back-to-school Eyewear 

 

*Disclaimer: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about.

Funny Friday - The Birds and the Bees (Threadless)

First, I just have to say that I am a threadless addict!  I absolutely LOVE their shirts.  Here is the next one on my long wish list from that site.

Cute, huh?  You can get one for yourself (or me!) here!

Thankful Thursday - The First Tiny Tomato

Coming from a family of farmers, but not much of a gardener myself, I was thrilled to see the first tiny tomato growing on my plant. The gorgeous yellow flowers behind it indicate that more are soon to follow. Not everyone is as lucky as I am to have a small garden where I can grow cucumbers and tomatoes. Not everyone knows the delicious difference between eating a tomato from the grocery store and one picked and immediately eaten, still warm from the sun.  I am thankful for this tiny tomato and each one to follow. I appreciate the space to grow them, the time spent with my children planting and watering them, and the taste that I can already imagine (which is making my mouth water)!