• The Cure From The Dreaded “I’m BORED!!” Thank You Target!

    Smithsonian Mars Dig

    Sometimes doesn’t it feel like summer vacation won’t ever END!??!!?  You will continuly hear the “I’m BORED” whine. Like when will the kids finally go back to SCHOOL!!?!?!  Now, that really is a double-edged sword right there. I remember when my baby Zachary graduated from school and moved into his first apartment. That empty nest hit me HARD. I walked into Target intent on doing my shopping when I saw the Back To School sale had started. OHMYYYYYYYYGOSH!!! I totally broke down. We are talking THE UGLY CRY!! I was a solid mess. IN. THE. MIDDLE. OF. WALMART.  Let’s just say more than a few heads turned that day. I rushed out of the store, sat in my car, and sobbed. So…. do enjoy them while they are little. ALSO, take that first day of school and do something for YOU!!! Enjoy that peace and quiet. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Okay, so this post went on a weird turn there. What I really…

  • Fun Tips for Teaching Kids to Read!!

    Cute little girl reading Roxie the Doxie book

    Instilling a love of reading at a young age is imperative to a child’s growth and learning habits. There are many steps that can be taken when teaching kids to read. The following tips make learning to read fun and easy for every child. Engage Children with Words The more a child is exposed to language, the easier reading will become. This can mean anything from singing, talking, cuddling or playing. Any way a child can be engaged with words aids the learning process. A fun game to play involves shopping at the grocery store. Say something like, “we need apples, where are the apples?” The child will look around to find the apples, and this will help to broaden the vocabulary. You can then point these words out during reading sessions. Even walking down the street can be a time for engagement. Point out a man running, or a woman gardening, or any activity that is happening. Always use…

  • HEDBANZ The Quick Question Game! For KIDS!!!

    Hedbanz game

    I love giving FAMILY games at Christmas. A good game is a great bonding time for kids and parents. Something that is FUN and imaginative is even better! Let me tell you what! HEDBANZ is just that! FUN!! And challenging but not so hard that kids give up easily and don’t want to play anymore. How Old To Play HEDBANZ? The game is rated 7 and up; however 6-year-old is a whiz kid with this game. It is so fun to watch the way her mind works. It’s also very funny to watch her want to ‘stretch her legs’ when she can’t guess the card… ummmm hummm little cheater was checking her reflection in the fish tank. She’s so smart she doesn’t even guess the correct picture with the first guess. SNEAKY!!! Gotta watch this one closely; it’s also why we added the new rule you can’t get up until your turn is over or you automatically lose! What Is…

  • Make Your Own Gummies Kit GIVEAWAY!!

    This Giveaway Is Closed Check the sidebar at the right for my $50 Your Way Giveaway. I have a FUN review and giveaway today! This is from the Make Your Own Candy Kits from Glee Gum. The Grandkids and I had a blast with ‘Make Your Own Gummies Kit’. Everything you need is included in the kit. Even seaweed. Yes, these gummies are made using seaweed. This was such a great project and so much fun to make. The directions were easy to follow. I think I may have cooked the mixture a little too long because the gummie mix was too thick to use the molds. BUT, we made gummie squares and we were thrilled with the results. The sour mix is truly pucker up your kisser sour, then the sweet hits and YUMMMYYYY!! The box includes everything you need: sour mix, colored and flavored Fair Trade sugar, powdered seaweed, dried seaweed, molding starch, instructions, and the story of…

  • Top toys for 2013

    The holidays have now passed and it’s time to look forward to the New Year. For me, this means attending a whole load of children’s parties, gift in hand. It’s always a little difficult knowing what the latest ‘in thing’ with the kids is but after some research, I’ve managed to come up with some present ideas which should work all year round. Lego as always is a favourite with both boys and girls and still a firm favourite with me. With the likes of Lego city offering a number of themed Lego sets for big movies such as Star Wars and a number of other exciting and complex structures, it’s sure to keep the kids entertained for hours. Crayola Light Designer is much like a lamp which you can design your own pattern for. The three-dimensional surface looks great and allows the kids to get creative. Watch as their drawings come to life. The best thing about it is that…