Monday, November 30, 2015

Educational Gift Ideas for the Holidays!

In some ways I dread the holidays…it’s just more stuff!  I don’t need anymore stuff in my house, do you?  This year I’m really trying to focus more on educational items.  Not just stuff that will cause more clutter!  I’ve also been searching for good deals on items.  Here is a great list of educational items, for all ages and they come at great prices!  This year my kids will be receiving blocks, books, games, and outdoor equipment!  I love to get them stuff that I know is helping build brain cells as well as enjoyable entertainment! 
  Educents Deals Toys Tegu Blocks - Give your kiddos the opportunity to defy gravity! These wooden blocks are embedded with magnets so that kids can build structures they have only dreamed of!
Magformers Challenger Set - With this 112-Piece magnetic building set, kids ages 6 to 12 imaginations are guaranteed to run wild! This is a great gift to give to siblings to share. It can also be a generous addition to a classroom or after-school program!
Frozen Puzzle Pack - Winter is the time of year to celebrate the very popular Disney movie, Frozen! Keep the Frozen fun going after the movie is over with these four Frozen puzzles.
Veggie Tales Floor Puzzle - Little ones can put together this fun floor puzzle with their favorite Veggie Tales characters! This 3-foot puzzle will keep your little learners thinking and laughing as the faces of Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber begin to appear piece by piece. Educents Art Deals Coloring Books for Everyone - Coloring is not just for kids anymore, it's for everyone - making this a great gift for an entire family! These six coloring books are filled with mesmerizing designs. Gift these coloring books to a family, classroom, or split up the books to give to six artists who you love!
Frozen Etch a Sketch Jr. - The classic and creative tool we all grew up with has been updated with your child's favorite characters from Disney's Frozen. Elsa and Olaf can watch your little one draw on the Etch a Sketch as they are inspired by their favorite Disney movie. Then Elsa's magical snow will wipe the canvas clean, ready for another masterpiece.
Holiday Coloring Book Freebie - If you’re looking for a low-cost way to say “thinking of you,” this coloring book is as easy to give as 1-2-3. Just download it for free, print it, and add a nice card to your envelope. Educents-Science-Deals Slimy Squishy Polymer Set - Give the gift of science exploration! This fun, hands-on experiment only requires water, adult supervision, and creativity! What a fun way for kids and parents or older siblings to learn together!
Science Experiment Subscription - Science experiments require a lot of planning. Let the scientific FUN come to you with a 1-year subscription to the award-winning Young Scientist Club! Educents Books
Life of Fred Beginning Reader Set - Children who are learning to read will love listening to mom, dad, grandma, older brother, or anyone else read the Life of Fred stories aloud! Read these silly stories together and learn basic concepts about math, the English language, colors, and science!
Berenstain Bears Books - Read these books over the holidays to encourage family values like cleaning up, the joy of giving, saying “I’m sorry,” and more! The book bundle includes Thanksgiving and Christmas stories too!
A set of The Velveteen Rabbit, Corduroy, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and other classic books! Add these classic titles to your little one’s library, or distribute the books to a handful of little ones who love to read!

What are you shopping for this holiday season? The gift of learning a new language? Picking up a new talent like playing a musical instruments or stargazing? Discover amazing gift ideas that promote education on Educents!

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links.

Restaurant.com #CyberMonday Sale! #ad @Restaurant_com

Disclaimer:  I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

$3 DEALS TODAY!

Restaurant.com Delivers the "Better than Best" Cyber Monday Sale

For families who want to avoid the hours of cooking and clean-up this holiday season, Restaurant.com delivers $3 for $25 Certificates with Promo Code: CYBER today only! Find places to meet, eat and be merry from 22,000 restaurants nationwide.

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And if you’re traveling, feel free to take Restaurant.com on the road with you. Their mobile app makes a primary travel companion! Search for eateries by zip code and simply use the certificate from your phone at the restaurant.

Hurry – this "Better than Best" $3 Cyber Monday Sale won’t last. Restaurant.com is the trusted and valued source for connecting restaurants and diners nationwide. This offer ends Monday, November 30 at 11:59 pm CT.

**The perfect gift for someone who likes to eat out, travels a lot or a great way to get some date nights planned!** 

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Disclaimer:  I received a Restaurant.com gift card for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.

Friday, November 27, 2015

14 Educational Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Okay, we don’t actually ‘do’ Santa….but, my kids have these Ginormous stockings that I always feel pressured to fill up!  I’m trying really hard not to spend a fortune filling them year and I’d also prefer not to have all the ‘junk’ around the house that tends to come with them.  I’m putting less stuff in this year, and I’d like it to be useful, educational stuff (including most of their gifts!).  I have enough clutter around, who needs more?  NOT I!

This is a great list of some DIY, as well as inexpensive educational stocking stuffer ideas!  Hope you find it helpful!

educational stocking stuffer ideas

Personalized Letter from Santa

Gone are the days of trying to write in “Santa’s handwriting.” Educents has made it so easy to make your child feel special and loved by Santa! The personalized letter comes straight to your front door from the North Pole in a beautiful red envelope, and highlights your child’s exciting accomplishments this year. The letter also includes some fun Santa-approved activities for you and your kiddo to spend some sweet holiday time together, like a recipe for Mrs. Claus’ Famous Cookies, two snowflake craft templates, a packet of reindeer food (glitter!) and a sheet of festive stickers. This special letter will make for an imaginative and exciting addition to the very top of our Christmas stockings this year!
4_2_20 This letter will make for an imaginative start to any Christmas morning, but there’s more pressure now to keep the fun going! Here are some other easy stocking stuffers to keep the magic going for your kiddos this year!


Educational Stocking Stuffer Ideas

1. FREE DIY Crystal Christmas Tree Experiment - An opportunity to spend more time together as a family is one of the best gifts you can give! These directions for a DIY salt-crystal Christmas tree can get the whole family involved and teach everyone something new!
2. DIY Push Light Planets - Create these amazing lights for your kiddo's bedroom. Each light is decorated to represent one of the planets. To encourage planet recognition, even paint the names of the planets onto each pushable light! Push Light Planets
3. Show Me the Kwan - Looking for a great, fun game for the whole family to play after all the presents have been opened? This clever and upbeat word game gets kids excited about vocabulary, word construction and more and is the perfect size for a stocking!
4. Matching Games for Little Learners - These handmade wooden matching games from Mama May I are a very sweet stocking stuffer for little learners. Choose from Zoo, Trucks, Vegetables, Space and more ! mama_may_i_make_a_match_dino1_large_9117
5. The Familia Craft Kit - This craft kit has all the tools for your kiddos to decoupage little wooden peg dolls to create their own story or to include in a new adventure! They come in a slim tube that’s easy to fit in a stocking!
6. DIY Domino Set - This homemade domino set is one you and your family can play for years to come. To make this set special for the holidays, use green and red puff paint! DIY Domino Set 7. DIY Pop-Up Alphabet Sponges - This simple gift is a low-cost way to make baby's bath time fun and educational! Cut sponges into the shapes of alphabet letters and numbers.
8. DigiPuppets - This adorable animal finger puppet acts as a touchscreen-sensitive stylus for phones and tablets. Use them on their own to keep kids engaged with digital learning tools, or head to the app store to download DigiPuppet’s educational games. digipuppets_zipusageforzulily2_5db6 9. Just Add Milk Science & Art Kit - This kit is filled with fun science and art projects you can do along with some at home ingredients, and it’s just the size of a milk carton! If your child is lactose-intolerant, don’t worry, the experiments work with non-dairy milk as well!
10. DIY Telling Time Clock Pillow - Crafty family members can take a few hours to create this comfortable accessory for kiddos learning to tell time!DIY Telling Time Clock pillow 11. Clever Catch Math Balls - These inflatable balls make math-learning fun with active games you can play with 2 or more people. Just keep it deflated, and this blow-up Clever Catch is ready for the stocking! Choose from: Numbers 0-25, Money, Multiplication, Addition, or Subtraction.
12. DIY Hopscotch Mat - Here's a fun game you can make yourself, roll up into a Christmas stocking, and then play on Christmas Day and many, MANY days after that!
13. DIY Bongo Rice Shakers - Use some household materials to make shakable, musical instruments for little ones to use while Christmas caroling on Christmas Day! DIY Stocking Stuffer Instrument Looking for more ways to make your Christmas stockings and holiday gifts extra special this year? Head to Educents' Give the Gift of Education page for more ideas, tips, steals and deals!

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post and contains some affiliate links.  Thank you.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Book Review & #Giveaway I’m Happy for You (Sort Of…Not Really) by Kay Wills Wyma #FLYBY

Im happy for you review

For this review I got to check out I’m Happy for You (Sort Of…Not Really) by Kay Wills Wyma.

About I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really)

Our cultural obsession with comparison is undercutting relationships and sapping contentment. With disarming candor and humor, Kay Wills Wyma explores how to trade comparison for compassion and rediscover what life is all about.

It’s easy to get caught in the comparison games we play with our appearances, our kids, and our homes. Kay reminds exhausted families about tried and true remedies from the pressures of competitive living.

Pinteresting

In her warm, relatable style, Kay confronts the comparison epidemic raging in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our social-media feeds, offering remedies along the way.

With candor and humor, I’m Happy For You (Sort Of…Not Really) explores the troubling effects of living in an excessively competitive culture—and reveals simple yet effective ways to escape the comparison trap.

Fat Thoughts

About the Author

Kay Wills Wyma is a blogger, mother of five, and the author of Cleaning House through which she has appeared on The TODAY Show, CNN, Glenn Beck, The New York Times, Focus on the Family, and more. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, she held positions at the White House, the Staubach Company, and Bank of America. Kay lives in the Dallas area with her husband, Jon, and their family.

Join Kay and her family as she’s started to #HydrateForTheHolidays on her blog posts to learn how to recapture contentment and joy, especially in Nov. & Dec.!!  She’ll be sharing thoughts throughout the season!

Thoughts from Kay...

Tired of performing? Feeling weighed down by the pressure to be Pinteresting? Does your friend’s wardrobe, body, marriage, paycheck, vacation plans, or photoshoot-worthy home décor leave you wishing your life looked more like that?

You’re not alone.

With its focus on smarter, faster, thinner, and ever-better, our cultural obsession with comparison is undercutting relationships and sapping contentment. Our friends become our audience (or judges), and our titles, activities, even kids become part of our brand. Factor in social media’s constant reminder of what everyone else is doing, and no wonder we feel drained, discontent, and isolated. 

Thankfully, we don’t have to live this way!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

My Thoughts…

I see comparison stealing joy all the time, and sometimes I even let it steal my joy!  This was a great reminder on how we need to stop comparing ourselves to others.  In the world of social media these days, it has become far to easy to get involved in the mommy wars, to try to one up each other or feel down when we don’t quite measure up to someone else (in our own minds).  Kay uses humor to make light of this growing problem.  If you find yourself being caught in the comparison trap, I highly recommend this book!

SOCIAL • CORNER (LINKS TO USE ON YOUR BLOG POST)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE - keep up with the #HydrateForTheHolidays topics here & see interviews, etc

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

AMAZON

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.  US & Canada Only.

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Monday, November 23, 2015

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales!

Preview



Black Friday at Kiwi Crate
KIWICRATE



$5 and FREE SHIPPING for the first month with code BLKFRI15, ends 11/27 at 11:59PT
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!And don't forget to check in on Friday,Up to 70% off on all CDs!www.MaestroClassics.com

and more at……

 

CYBER WEEKEND SALES EVENT! Save 25% Off ALL STOCK ITEMS & Get Free Shipping On Stock Orders Over $49 Using Code: CYBERM25 At DiscountSchoolSupply.com! Click Here!

 


The Critical Thinking Co – Subscribe to their newsletter to receive a 20% off and FREE Shipping coupon code good through 12/1! 

Sonlight – Up to $100 off of select items for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales!
Join in on the fun of our first ever “Slightly Scuffed and Bent 50% off Sale.”  That’s correct, Beginning November 30th, and continuing through December 6th, all slightly scuffed or bent Essentials in Writing combos and workbooks will be 50% off their original price.


 Take 30% off shoes, jewelry, watches, and more for women, men, kids, and baby. Enter the promo code 30BLACKFRI at checkout for a discount on eligible items sold and shipped by Amazon.com. Select styles. Restrictions apply.
BlackFriday-Ticket-Square

Register for their emails to receive day of sale ads, up to 70% off items Friday and Monday, some ONE DAY ONLY sales!


Pandia Press is having a Black Friday Sale, you can get secret info by following them on Periscope too!  Click here to visit Pandia Press.



HappyThanksgiving

YWAM Publishing
Black Friday Four Audiobooks Special - Save 50% off retail prices and FREE shipping Louis Zamperini: Redemption (audiobook CD) Corrie ten Boom: Keeper of the Angels' Den (audiobook CD) Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems (audiobook CD) George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans (audiobook CD) Retail: $87.96 - Sale price: $44.00 (Search Web15 on the website to find this deal) Cyber Monday
Christian Heroes: Then & Now -- 5-Book Medical Missionary Gift Set This 5-book gift set includes: Wilfred Grenfell: Fisher of Men Ida Scudder: Healing Bodies, Touching Hearts Paul Brand: Helping Hands Klaus Dieter-John: Hope in the Land of the Incas Ben Carson: A Chance at Life Heroes for Young Readers -- Special Cyber Monday Set (5 books) This 5-book set includes: Adoniram Judson: A Grand Purpose
C.S. Lewis: The Man Who Gave Us Narnia
Mary Slessor: Courage in Africa
Hudson Taylor: Friend of China
Bethany Hamilton: Riding the Waves AND AUDIOBOOK: CHRISTIAN HEROES: THEN & NOW Lillian Trasher: The Greatest Wonder in Egypt PLUS FREE SHIPPING! Free book rate shipping when you purchase this Cyber Monday Special.
Just use the Special Offer Code CYBER15 during the check-out process. Free shipping will not display until Step 4 - Payment Info page.  Free shipping code only valid when this complete Cyber Monday special is purchased.  A $117 value for only $47CLICK HERE for this great offer!  MELISSA & DOUGThanksgivingThanksgiving FREE SHIPPING USE CODE FREESHIP

LITTLE PASSPORTS

60% off the first month of any subscription PLUS 10% off any non-subscription items


Forever
Starting at 5 pm ET Thursday, EVERYTHING in the Forever store will be 30% off! Goes through Tuesday at 11:59 pm ET. Code SAVE30

Cricut
The Best Machine for DIY Projects
11/27 - 11/29: Don't Miss Black Friday Sales at Cricut!
11/27 - 11/29: Find More Cartridges for $14.99 and Under Than Ever Before at Cricut!
11/27 - 11/29: Get Up to $50 Off Machine Bundles at Cricut!
11/27 Only: One Day Only Sale! Get the Cricut Explore One Machine for Just $149!
11/27 - 11/29: Shop Clearance Sale on the Original Cricut Explore (While Supplies Last)
11/27 - 11/29: Shop Cricut Clearance, Starting at Just 99 Cents!
Now - 11/30: Get 10% off on Cricut.com with code DOORBUSTERS
Now - 11/30: Get 35% off Digital at Cricut with code 35DIGITAL
Now - 11/30: Get free shipping on all orders at Cricut with code FREESHIPNOV

Hands of a Child
All eBooks at www.handsofachild.com
are on sale
for ONLY $3.00!
Friday 11/27- Monday 11/30

Black Friday Sale  red white and blue

Black Friday Sale graphic ES
http://www.veritaspress.com/selfpaced/index.php
Not only do you SAVE $100 on every Self-Paced course*, but Veritas Press will donate a Self-Paced Bible course through VeritasBible.com for every course you purchase to children affected by the ministry of Richmond Wandera, a friend of Veritas and representative of Compassion International.

20% off 

on your single sharpeners orders only.

Thanks for being our loyal customer. We hope you enjoy our Thanksgiving discount. USE COUPON CODE TURKEY2015 at checkout. EXP. 29-11-15 



Disclaimer:  Some of these links are affiliate links, all sales I have shared are products I have used, either for reviews and/or personal use.  I only promote products II believe in.  Look under REVIEWS to see reviews I have posted on listed products.


























Recipe: Pork Chops with Oregano-Dijon Sauce @emeals

Pork Chops Paleo Recipe

Ingredients:

6 (6oz) bone-in pork chops (or chicken breasts, I used boneless pork chops….the thick ones from Costco).
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 cups organic chicken broth
2 Tbsp arrowroot (or tapioca starch)
3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard (or brown mustard)
3 Tbsp coconut milk
2 tsp dried oregano

Directions:

Sprinkle pork chops with garlic salt and pepper.  Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pork chops, and cook 4 minutes per side or until done.  (Since I used thick chops, I browned all sides and put in oven at 400F until done).  Remove from the skillet  and keep warm.  Whisk together chicken broth and arrowroot; add to skillet.  Bring to a boil, and cook 4 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly.  Whisk in mustard and remaining ingredients.  Cook 4 to 5 minutes or until sauce is thickened.  Serve sauce over pork shops.

Pictured Side Dish:  Pan-Steamed Asparagus with Mushrooms

You can get this recipe and many other Paleo friendly recipes from emeals! Other plan options are also available.

Delicious, Stress-Free Paleo Meals

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Book Review: Our America… History Series, The Pilgrim Adventure & The Civil War Adventure

Our America Review

I had the opportunity to take a look at 2 of the Our America Series books from Funtastic Unit Studies.  We read The Pilgrim Adventure and The Civil War Adventure (first and last of the series) as a read aloud to our children (ages 9, 6, 5).   

My kids really enjoyed these historical stories.  These are REAL books, that tell historical events, but in an interesting way!  The main characters Finn & Ginny travel throughout time and the events are told as they experience them.  My kids really enjoyed the books and asked for them daily (in the case we forgot).   It is possible to read the books alone, outside of the series…but there are some events from the first that come together in the last book. 

There are also FREE Activity guides available to use with these books to incorporate hands on learning as well!  Activity guides are in PDF.

The books are recommended for ages 10+, but my younger children enjoyed them (as mentioned).  My 9 year old was also able to read them on his own (but he reads at about a 6th grade level). 

These books are available on Amazon in print or Kindle formats.

They are a great way to liven up US history and make it enjoyable and interesting!  Kids learn best when they are having fun!

You can read my Funtastic Unit Studies Science Curriculum Review also!

Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Review: Professor Murphy’s Emporium of Entertainment; Wooden Puzzle @Parragonbooks

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Professor Murphy’s Emporium of Entertainment; Wooden Puzzle would make a great stocking stuffer or small gift for the problem solver in your life! 

My kids have had a fun time tinkering around with this puzzle set.  It’s only $10.99! 

The package contains 12 puzzle pieces and a book of challenges.  It’s recommended for 6+, it’s fun for all ages!

Disclaimer:  I received this book free from Parragon Publishing in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to give an honest review, nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.  This post contains affiliate links.