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An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky DVD Review

~ This review was made possible by American Girl ~

“Nine-year old Saige is excited about the new school year until she discovers that art?her favorite class?has been cut. On top of that, her best friend, Tessa, is spending more and more time with another girl. For support, Saige turns to her grandma Mimi (Seymour), a well-known artist and horsewoman, who encourages her to take action and inspire her community in a fund-raising effort to start an after-school art program. Heartwarming, empowering, and fun, it’s a movie for every girl who has ever dreamed big.”

My girls were beyond excited when American Girl, Saige Paints the Sky DVD showed up in our mailbox. They were jumping up and down, screaming “I can’t believe it,” and making a list of friends who they would invite over for the special viewing. My girls (and I) love everything about American Girl and we get so excited every year when they announce the new American Girl of the Year. This year we were thrilled because the girls’ Aunt and Uncle live in Albuquerque, New Mexico and we have been to the Ballon Festival.

Some of our favorite parts (spoiler alert): Saige’s Grandma, Mimi, made it to the parade to see Saige ride! Saige takes the place of Mimi in the parade, when Mimi gets injured. Saige is very nervous about riding in front of all the people who will be at the parade. She does not like being in the “spotlight” and performing in front of crowds. She learns to focus on the tasks, not the crowd, and is able to ride in the parade and waive the streamers!

We all LOVED the concert the girls put on to raise money to keep the art program at school. They combine both talents, art and music. We felt a special connection to the event since my kids do something similar at their school. For my kids, the 5th and 6th graders create “Rock the Arts,” bringing art and music together! It is a great community event. Saige and her friends put on a great concert/fundraiser!

To be honest with you, there wasn’t a part we didn’t like. Like all American Girl movies, Saige Paints the Sky is fantastic with great messages throughout the movie. Some of the messages are friendship, using your talent (and others), courage, empowerment, and believing in yourself. All things I want my girls to possess.

Saige Paints the Sky, releasing on DVD and Blu-Ray on July 2 and airing Saturday, July 13, at 8/7C on NBC, stars Jane Seymour as the beloved Grandma Mimi and introduces Sidney Fullmer as Saige, a talented artist with a passion for horses, in this modern-day story about finding one’s voice.

I just can’t say enough positive things about the latest American Girl movie. Another great movie for the young girls all over the world. I am so happy to have Saige Paints the Sky as part of my family’s DVD collection. Make sure you check out the trailer below.

Connect

You can connect with American Girl online, Facebook and YouTube.

Buy It

You can purchase Saige Paints the Sky on July 2nd (or pre-order now) at Amazon for $19.98 (DVD) or $26.98 (DVD, Blu-Ray, Digital Download combo pack).

I received a sample product for this review. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.

Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement Review

Blog· Review

~ This review was made possible by apteka natural ~

Are you stressed? No, that was not a trick question! I know I am very stressed. It seems like I am always just getting over one situation and another kicks in full blast. Of course like most people, I have different stress depending on where I am…..work, home, financial, extended family, kids’ school/ extracurricular activities, etc. We all have it, but the real question is, how do we all deal with the stress in our lives. Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement can help ease the stress in your life.

“Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement contains the remarkable Zembrin (Sceletium tortuosum extract), a South African ingredient with more than 300 years of documented indigenous use. It has been clinically studied for safety and efficacy. Also, it has self-affirmed GRAS status (Generally Regarded as Safe). “

I know that during the 30 days that I took Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement, my stress level seemed more manageable to me. I seemed to be in a more positive mood (vs. negative mood) and didn’t let the stress impact my energy. I was also more focused. I am not sure if that was due to the Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement or the fact that it helped reduced the effects of my stress, so I was able to focus on tasks that needed to be done. Either way, my stress was manageable, my mood was improved and I was able to focus on getting my work done!

Sceletium tortuosum has been used to reduce stress and tension, promote calm, support a positive mood, and promote a general sense of well being. Apteka Naturel believes in the power of organic products in providing the best that nature has to offer. The natural products are carefully hand picked by the Apteka Naturel team. Some of the side benefits noted include:

Mood enhancement
Lessen fatigue
Aids in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, and depression
PMS stress reduction
Increased energy and endurance
Enhance cognitive abilities
Improved mental focus and clarity
Promoting restful sleep

I know Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement helped with my work stress, but how did it help with all my other stress? I wish you could ask my family! My yelling at everyone decreased significantly. I was able to talk to my kids calmly, which seemed rare before Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement. I swear I use to come in the door yelling – lets go, we are late; is your homework done; pick up your mess; etc. I can’t tell you how nice it was to come home and ask my kids questions, help them get ready for whatever event we were off too, and direct them to pick up their stuff. Our house is so much more enjoyable for everyone when I am not yelling!

If you are stressed, and I am sure you are, consider trying Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement. I am sure you will be as pleased (and less stressed) as I.

Connect

You can connect with Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement online at the company’s website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

Buy It

You can buy Tranquility Naturel Unique Anti-Stress Support Dietary Supplement online for $45.95 for 30 capsules.

I received a sample product for this review. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.

Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Say Up Late Book Review

Blog· Review

~This review was made possible by Bedtime Math~

Bedtime Math, BEDTIME MATH: A Fun Excuse To Stay Up Late

by Laura Overdeck and Jim Paillot

Macmillan Children’s

June 25, 2013

ages 3-8

$14.99

Bedtime Math is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to make nightly math problems as common as the bedtime story. Founded by mother of three Laura Overdeck, a trained astrophysicist who launched the program to encourage her own children’s interest in math, Bedtime Math’s nightly nationwide subscriber list tops 30,000 and its social media presence on Facebook and Twitter has grown exponentially. More information about Bedtime Math can be found online at www.bedtimemath.org. In addition to its upcoming book, the first of three to be published by Macmillan, the organization has received national attention for its work from The New York Times, TIME magazine, and on NPR in the past year.

Big Sis is now 4.5 years old and starts Pre-K in August and she has had zero interest in math. I mean she could care less about adding one plus one. One thing that Big Sis loves is books at bedtime. She never goes to sleep without one of us reading to her before bed (melts my librarian heart). So what better way to get her interested in math than a book dedicated to little math stories before bed.

The book is nicely made and the pictures are fun and exciting. I am including a picture of one of the small stories and the accompanying math questions on the page next to it.

The math questions are separated by age/skill level. Big Sis was definitely on Wee ones.

I really like that it does this because that means this book will be great to read to my kids for years to come. After they have mastered the wee ones we will just move on to the next set of questions to keep things fresh and interesting.

Big Sis was not really into the book at first. After reading a couple of them she started getting into it. I would say she is a reluctant math reader but it is definitely growing on her. This is the perfect way for her to get interested in math by blending it with her love for reading! This is definitely the most fun math book I have ever read!

What better way to get kids excited than going out to read in your pajamas! Unfortunately none are happening near me but I love the idea behind it!

On a related note: In honor of the book launch, bookstores, museums and libraries nationwide will host Bedtime Math National Pajama Party Week events from June 24-29, giving families a chance to take part in the national movement to make math fun, relevant, and an enjoyable part of everyday life. These free, family-friendly events are aimed at children ages 3-8 year and their parents, and will include a variety of math-inspired games and activities. Children are encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas and be ready to play.

Make sure to sign up for their email newsletter that will give you a daily math problem to solve. I think them getting their own new question every day gives them something exciting to look forward too!

Connect:

You can connect with Bedtime Math on Facebook, and/or @BedtimeMath on Twitter!

Buy It!

You can buy Bedtime Math on Amazon for $10.11.

I received a sample product for this review. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.

Carson Optical: iPhone Magnifier Lenses

Blog· Review· Tech

~Post made possible by Carson Optical~

Carson Optical is known for product
innovation, exceptional customer service and value. Carson is a leading
supplier of consumer optics for all ages. Carson branded products
include a wide range of Binoculars, Magnifiers, Microscopes and related
optical accessories. The people at Carson are marketing specialists,
offering outstanding packaging and strong advertising and editorial
support. Their line of products was created with the end user in mind.
Contact them toll-free: 1-800-9-OPTICS or visit their web site at www.carsonoptical.com or e-mail us at [email protected].

I am one of those people that love all things high tech and anything to do with technical gadgets. That is why I was super excited to try out these magnifiers for my iPhone 5.

The ML-515, LensMag? from Carson Optical are a 2-pack of high powered magnet magnifiers for the iPhone 5?. Included in each 2-pack is a 10x and 15x magnet magnifier. Simply remove the case from your iPhone 5 and place the desired high powered magnet magnifer over the camera. The LensMag? will now act as a macro lens. No glue or additional pieces needed…the LensMag? magnetically holds onto your iPhone 5 directly. See and capture detail you never thought possible with your iPhone 5 and the LensMag?. Great for kids & educational exploration!

I then watched the super quick video on how to use them.

After it easily stuck to my iPhone 5 with a magnet I went to work taking some pictures.

Here is the picture of a flower in my front yard without the Carson Magnifier lens.

Here is the picture using the magnifier.

That is amazingly close! You can see dirt particles on the pistil!

Or check out one of these spiders from my back yard.

My hand was slightly skaky today or the images would have been even clearer. Just every time I went to take these amazingly clear pictures I would flinch the slightest bit and it would get blurry. Taking a picture of a dollar bill or coin would be much easier as you could do this sitting down at a table.

These are fun and easy to use lenses to put on your iPhone 5 to take some super close up photos. I already have some great ideas on using it to take science pictures with my girls one day…think Science Projects.

Connect:

You can connect with Carson Optical on Facebook.

Buy It!

You can buy the ML 515 LensMag for MSR $19.You can use their Where to Buy locator to find their products on a website or store near you. Currently available on Amazon for $11.19.

I received a sample product for this review. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.

Urban Quest – Orlando

Blog· Review

~Post made possible by Urban Quest~

Imagine participating in a mini Amazing Race while on vacation to a new city (or even as a tourist in your hometown), sparking new experiences and learning opportunities you?ve never before had on vacation. That’s what the creators of UrbanQuest accomplished with their unique product that puts away the iPods and Nintendos and brings friends and family together to engage, learn and have a whole lot of fun. Through instructions, puzzles and a set of clues, families explore a section of the city, finding hidden gems along the way, before discovering a mystery restaurant at the end of the race they?ve chosen in advance based only on cuisine and price point.

Here are some facts about UrbanQuest:

Designed after the Amazing Race, but doesn?t have to be a race if you want to take your time.
Available in 35 North American cities (US and Canada), with more coming soon
Takes about 2 hours to complete, with 1 to 3 miles of walking (realistic for kids)
Perfect for family vacations, business trips, long-time locals looking for hidden finds at home, even an adventurous date.
Set up a competitive race with friends
Corporate and team building quests available
Quests
can be done independently, or make it more interesting with your smart
phone and interact with the UrbanQuest website to beat the clock
All UrbanQuests are available at www.UrbanQuest.com
UrbanQuest.com features ongoing puzzles, games and badges to unlock
Coming soon ? Mobile App

Husband and I made a date out of
it and went on an Urban Quest here in Orlando. We brought along our
problem solving skills and our love for all things
competitive/puzzles/games and went about to have a good time together.

Here some photos of our quest that all took place in the area of Loch Haven Park.

Using the clues you find the answers to questions. My husband is far too good at things like this and was super quick at finding the answers. When you are all done you use the answers to put into a key to get a phrase that you put into the website that directs to your food destination.

For the full-on experience, you can sign up on the website once you get your
quest. From there you can log in and set up your quest as a race against the
clock. It works like this, you log on and choose what kind of restaurant you’d
like to eat at based simply on the cuisine offerings and the general cost (low
cost is $, high cost is $$$$). You let the site know what time you’ll start
your quest. The website will then make your reservation at your mystery
restaurant within a couple of hours of the time you start the quest, giving you
only that long to complete the quest. As you go through the Quest, you’ll see
on your PDF there are places to fill in the answers to clues. Once you’ve found
all the clues, you use the answer key to determine the final code. Pull out
your smartphone, get onto the UrbanQuest website and log in. Type in your final
code and it will reveal the name and address of your restaurant (which isn’t
far from your finishing point).

I love the idea of getting together with friends and doing these Urban Quests. The one here in Orlando is short (took us around 40 minutes) and can easily be done with children. I am especially excited to see when their app comes out because I love the idea of being able to do this on my phone. This would be great for visiting other cities on vacation as well because it can give you a fun activity to do with a mystery restaurant at the end!

Connect:

You can connect with Urban Quest on Facebook, and/or @UrbanQuestcom on Twitter!

Buy It!

You can purchase a quest for $19.99.

I received a sample product for this review. All opinions are my own and/or my family’s, take it or leave it. Click here to view my whole disclosure policy.

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