Stuttering is Cool Book Review

I have mentioned Rossi's book, Stuttering is Cool, before on the blog -- but Nate just made a video review of the book that he wanted me to share!

You can find the book on etsy by following this link!

One of my Favorite Holiday Traditions

*Disclosure: This vlog was sponsored by Your Santa Story, who work with Santa to send out personalized videos for Christmas morning.  All opinions stated are my own.*

Review: Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic

Last night, we headed to the USAirways Center in Phoenix to watch Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic.

We love Disney, and we love these ice shows!  The skaters are amazing and we are entertained non-stop throughout the show.

The show started with Mickey & Minnie (of course!)  I love how sweet they always appear on stage.  I know it's a show - but they really are sweet to each other, and it makes me grin when they hold hands.  They do an awesome job of making you feel the gentle romance between them.

Not only are all of the skaters amazingly athletic and talented, but the costumes blow me away!   One of the popular numbers of the evening was the Aladdin / Genie number.  At one point, Aladdin and the Genie did simultaneous backflips!  That was Nate's favorite part of the show.

The costume designers successfully take animated characters and create costumes that capture that animated character into something that a skater can wear on the ice.  For instance, check out the sharks from the Finding Nemo number!

Aren't they amazing? I thought it was extremely clever to have the smaller shark's fin be the skater's head.

The Toy Story number was another favorite.  The toy soldiers routine  was high energy, funny, and flawlessly executed.  The soldiers are one of my favorites, and Lydia loved the song "You've Got A Friend in Me" for Woody & Buzz's number.

I didn't get any good shots of the princesses, but they were beautiful and amazing as well. Lydia liked that so many princesses appeared during the show (although she did miss Aurora and Rapunzel.)

It's so hard to choose a favorite number, so I encourage you to see the show yourself and be blown away!

The show is in Phoenix through this weekend (Apr 12-15, 2012) and discounted tickets are still available.  (Email me for the flyer to use at the box office, or use the code NALA on Ticketmaster.com)

Colin & Lydia were happy to give a video review of the show!  Check it out right here:

*Disclosure: I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.*

Moshi Monsters Bobble Bots Review

It's neat to be known as the neighborhood mom who gets all the cool toys to check out.  This time, we received a box of Moshi Monsters Bobble Bots and Bobble Bots play sets  to try out and share with our friends.  Many thanks to MomSelect and Moshi Monsters for letting us get an early look at these fun toys!

Colin compared them to Hexbugs -- because they move around randomly -- but they aren't as creepy as bugs. They're small, cute pegs with various colors and faces that wiggle around.

We opened up 3 of the stores and the kids thought it was neat that they could be all hooked together.  A border around the edges ensured that the Bobble Bots stayed on the street, and they wiggled in and out of the Ice-Scream! Store Playset, Gross-ery Store Playset and the Bizarre Bazaar Store Playset. I liked that each of the playsets included a Bobble Bot.

The kids just thought they were funny, and had a good time watching them and rearranging the accessories that came in the playsets.   I think they'd make cute Easter Basket toys.  I know the moms that were over liked them better than the Hexbugs, but the older boys preferred Hexbugs (mainly because of the gross-out feature).  The  younger kids definitely had fun and did a lot of free play with the small bots.

There is also an online component that is included with each toy.  My kids don't spend that much time online, so they haven't checked that out yet.  The sets all have codes that unlock content at www.moshimonsters.com.

As you'll hear in the video made by Colin and Lydia - the only downside is that they are a bit noisy.  Overall, all the kids that played gave these toys a "thumbs-up!"



You can find these toys at major retailers, as well as Amazon.com.

*Disclosure:  I received a variety of toys from MomSelect and Innovations First Labs to share with other families through a toy party and provide a review.  No additional compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are my own and my kids'. *

Volvo Cars Event

Top Gear (both the British & American versions) is a much-watched show in our house.  If you've ever spent any time with Nate, you know he loves cars and has since he was small.  So, when I had the opportunity to be part of a marketing event for Volvo cars, I immediately inquired if I could bring my entire family.

Luckily, they welcomed us all!

We arrived at one of the beautiful resorts in our area and were welcomed by a number of Volvo employees.  I learned that they had been in town for 2 weeks meeting with various press from all over.

We were able to listen to a number of people from Volvo tell us about their cars, their mission, and the things that make Volvo especially cool.  Nate was very interested in learning about the "torque curve" and seeing just how fast the Volvo race cars are able to go.  I'm not sure what was most interesting to him, but I know he really loved hearing from the men at PoleStar and learning about the cool things they developed and integrated into not just race cars, but all the cars Volvo sells.

After the informative talks, we were given the the chance to take a 60 mile test drive! Lydia and I hopped into a convertible -- the 2012 C70!  The top folds down completely into the trunk, and looks like a regular hard topped car.  I have to tell you that it was FUN to drive.  We had an absolutely gorgeous Arizona day to drive around town, and Lydia and I laughed and talked the entire way.

Bo & the boys took their test drive in a 2012 XC70 Crossover.  While Lydia and I took an urban drive, the boys went off-road for a bit in the XC70.  They had a fabulous time!  Nate called me at one time just to say "Mom, this is AWESOME!"  He was also thoroughly impressed with the torque.  (I really should have  him explain what that is . . . wait for a future post.)

It was great fun! We have always appreciated the safety reputation of Volvos, and were sad to let our 2000 wagon go last year.  The Volvo employees welcomed us, and seemed to enjoy talking with the boys.  We heard some of their stories, and really enjoyed our morning.

As we were driving  home, Colin said that he knew he would want to buy a Volvo when he's ready for a car.  Typical to Colin, his reason was because of all the safety features.  Nate replied, "I want one because they are so cool!  Did you feel that torque, dude?"  I think my boys encompass all that Volvo is trying to convey with their brand these days.

Nate made a video about the experience that I want to share.  Colin & Lydia also have videos in the works, so look for them in a future post.



If you have the chance, check out the new Volvos.  They are awesome cars!

*Note:  If you're a regular reader here, you know about Nate's stutter.  If you've come here from a search for Volvo, you may wonder about his stutter.  If you check the links to the right, you can see posts that talk more about his stutter and how he feels about it.  He loves the opportunity to talk and share his thoughts, and the fact that he sometimes struggles to speak never keeps him from talking.  We welcome comments, except those that are rude or cruel.*

*Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post.  All opinions and text are my own.*

The Snow Ball Digital Book Review

As a family, we are immersed in technology.   I love my iPhone, iPod, Kindle, iPad (and of course my laptop & desktop computers.)  That love is shared by all of my children.  I download more apps for them than myself, and I'm always on the lookout for fun and/or educational apps.

We recently downloaded an interactive book -- The Snow Ball, by David Steinberg and illustrated by Liz Conrad.  It's about polar bears playing in the snow, and is delightful!  Children can choose to read the book independently, or have the book read to them.  On each page, there are interactive features in the illustration that kids can touch and watch what happens.

Lydia really enjoyed the book, and has watched it multiple times on our iPad and her iPod.  She giggles at the polar bears throwing snowballs every time!

Here's a brief video of her playing with the interactive story book, The Snow Ball:



I was wondering how David Steinberg felt about this new media, and this is what he shared:

Interactive e-books will never take away from the joy of holding and reading a good old-fashioned book," said Steinberg, "but they add a whole new dimension into discovering and experiencing books.

The idea of an e-book app like 'The Snow Ball' is to give kids the chance to immerse themselves in the world of the book,  taking the time to discover all the surprises tucked away on each page.  From an educational standpoint, what an amazing way for emerging readers to navigate their own learning.  Kids can choose whether to follow along with the word highlights as the narrator reads to them, or use the read-myself mode to try it all by themselves. 

As an author, I have to say that I love having these new tools in my storytelling kit.  I'll never stop loving books, but I admit that I've grown a little crush on my iPad these days, too.

Along with the Snowball book, (retails for $1.99 in both iTunes and Android app stores) there is a fun, free Penguin game that has the kids sliding penguins around on the ice.  I synced the game to my boys' iPods, and they both noticed it and played with it.  They thought it was cute, but definitely aimed to the preschool market.

If you want to check out the book, here are the links to find it on iTunes and and the Android store.

Check out the free game at iTunes and the Android store.

Learn more about David Steinberg at his website.

*Disclosure:  I received an advance copy of the interactive book and the game, in exchange for my honest review.  No additional compensation or consideration was provided.*

Nate's Thoughts on Stuttering

Today, Nate & I attended the NSA sponsored Stuttering Youth Day event at ASU.  It just happened to coincide with International Stuttering Awareness Day!

We had a wonderful morning at the event (I'll share more in a couple days) and then headed over to a pumpkin patch so the kids get find pumpkins, and then to the Phoenix Food Truck Festival to finish up our long day.  I tell you all of this as a preface, so you know that he made this video after a long day!  He wanted to share his message, though, so here it is!

Star Wars Themed Cereals (giveaway!)

When I opened the box with these cereal boxes inside, Colin's first response was "Why are they sending you cereal?" But, when he pulled them out and caught a look at the Star Wars artwork on the back, he said "Ohhh, cool!!"

As you can see, when you get 3 of the specially marked boxes (available exclusively at Wal-Mart), you can have a neat panorama of Star Wars on your counter! You can also hear how disappointed the kids will be when you suggest that the boxes be put away in the pantry!

I am excited that I can send one of my readers their own special Star Wars Themed boxes, as well as a $35 gift card to Wal-Mart. My kids were very excited when the latest 9 disc, Blu-Ray release of Star Wars The Complete Saga that was first available for sale September 16.  They insisted that we put our gift card towards the purchase of a set for themselves. What do you think you will pick up with yours if you win?


If you would like a chance to win these neat boxes of cereal and a Wal-Mart gift card, please enter my giveaway by CLICKING HERE and filling out the form with the necessary information.  You'll need the information listed below to fill it in properly.  (You can also click on the link in the right column to read my giveaway rules)


GIVEAWAY NAME: Star Wars
MANDATORY QUESTION: What will you pick up with the gift card if you are chosen?

The giveaway ends October 26, 2011.  The winner will be chosen by entering the number of entries into random.org.  Good Luck!

ETA:  Winner has been selected and contacted.  Thanks for reading!! 


*Disclosure: The cereal, gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.*

Review: Soap Time (giveaway!)

I love that we get to try out some of the coolest new things that come on the market!

SoapTime® is a soap system that entertains kids and helps them wash their hands long enough to scrub away germs.  Different shaped soaps fit on the base, and when you press the dispenser, the base lights up and sings a song or shares a fun fact.  It's active for about 20 seconds, which is how long we're encouraged to wash our hands to get rid of germs.  Each soap bottle has a different theme with different songs and facts.

This system has been in our bathroom for a week or so now, and every once in a while I still hear a giggle when the kids wash their hands.  I also like it because it's a lot harder for them to just swish their hands under the running water for a second. 

Lydia was happy to do a video review, so here it is!


Thanks to Mom Select and SoapTime, I have a set of SoapTime® to share with one of my readers!  As always, please CLICK HERE to fill out my giveaway form.  The information you need to fill out the form is:

Giveaway Name: SoapTime®
Mandatory Question: How do you encourage regular hand washing?

Good Luck!  I will choose a winner on October 3, 2011.

Lydia wants me to tell you all that she forgot to say that the soap also smells really good!

You can learn more about the system at their website.  You can find the system at Bed, Bath & Beyond right now, and it should be available at more stores soon.

*Disclosure: I received SoapTime® from Mom Select and SoapTime in order to facilitate a review.  They also provided the giveaway product for one of my readers.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Review: Ice Cream Zhu Zhu Pets

Did you know that Ronald Reagan declared July "National Ice Cream Month" back in 1984?  I confess that I love ice cream and so does my family!  The kids were excited when these adorable new Zhu Zhu pets landed on our doorstep, thanks to Cepia and Mom Select.  Not only were the new pets adorable with their bright colors and patterns, but the ice cream shop was precious!  My favorite was the ice cream truck, complete with a hat for the Zhu Zhu driver. 

(Secret time:  When my boys were little, I always told them the ice cream truck was a "music truck" and said how wonderful it was that they drove around sharing music in the evenings.  In my defense, the ice cream trucks that drive in our area are not as cute as the Zhu Zhu one, nor as normal-looking as the ones I remember from childhood.  It's an old, beat up van that looks pretty creepy.)

All the kids had fun playing with this new set, and Lydia had a few preschool friends over one afternoon to try them out as well.  They all declare them cute and fun.  They had the fun a while back, but my kidney problems delayed the review.  Here's Lydia's video review:



You can find them at all major retailers, including Amazon. They would make a great gift for a summer birthday child, or for anyone who loves ice cream!


Disclosure: I received the ice cream set and Zhu Zhu pets from Mom Select and Cepia to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.

Video Ridemakerz Review

A couple days ago I posted a review of Ridemakerz!  The kids wanted to do a video review as well, so here it is!  Don't forget their Father's Day Promotion -- Buy one custom car & get another for free!  This promotion is good this weekend, July 18 & 19, 2011 at all their stores.




*Disclosure: I was invited to visit the shop and my children customized their cars, thanks to the generosity of Ridemakerz, in order to facilitate this review.  Many thanks to Ridemakerz for giving us the opportunity to visit and play!*

Review: Princess Zhu Zhu Pets

 Lydia's birthday was April 29 -- which coincided this year with a royal wedding in Great Britain! Thanks to Mom Select and Cepia, we had the chance to play with the latest Zhu Zhu Pets -- which include a princess & a prince as well as a Princess Castle, a Princess Ballroom and a Princess Carriage!

The pets are pink and purple and are adorable!  The castle and other pieces are pink & white and very detailed.  The carriage got the most play in our house, but the dance floor was a close second.

The pink pet is Magical Zhu Zhu Princess Snowcup and the purple one is Prince Dashington.  Pink and purple happen to be Lydia's favorite colors -- so they were quick friends.  We also got a few costumes, which fit any of the Zhu Zhu pets.  They were adorable and included a princess dress.

Lydia had a friend over a few days after her birthday and they had a great time playing with the pieces.  It was her friend's first exposure to Zhu Zhu Pets and she was delighted with the noisy hamsters!

My son, Colin, did the work of setting up the castle and other pieces.  He also quickly realized that any of the Zhu Zhu pets could play in this set, and added a few for extra characters. Colin and Lydia took some time to make a video review of the set and shared their thoughts --



Zhu Zhu Pets are made by Cepia, Inc. and are available at major retailers, including Amazon.com.  My kids have enjoyed playing with the pets since we were first introduced to them -- and we are always on the lookout for new characters and playsets.  This set definitely appeals more to the girls -- but Colin didn't mind playing with Lydia!


*Disclosure: I received pets and playsets from Mom Select and Cepia to help facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was provided.  All video belongs to me.*

National Stuttering Awareness Week - Spoken Words

For National Stuttering Awareness Week, Nate wanted to make a video. For while I can write all the words I want -- the true picture of someone who stutters must include their spoken word.

Here's Nate talking about his stutter, giving advice to people who meet those who stutter, his take on the school year, his great 3rd grade teacher and our summer plans.

Review: DaGeDar

Recently, we received a box of new toys that are being released in the Phoenix market this month!  DaGeDar are from Cepia, Inc. (the same company that makes Zhu Zhu Pets) and are expected to be a new summer sensation!

My boys were excited before we even opened the box.  LOL!  Once the box was open, they were interested in the balls and the track, but I told them we had to wait until a few friends came over before they could play.  I wanted to see how easy it was to play with no prior knowledge.

Finally, this weekend, 2 of their best buddies came over and they ripped open the packaging and got to playing.  From the laughter that came from the living room, I would say they were a hit.  It's a simple premise -- the balls (which are all uniquely decorated) roll and race through a track.

My boys took them into the bathroom and had them rolling around in the tub and the sink as well as on the track that is built for them.

I asked them to talk about these new toys -- and this is what they said:



You can find the toys at select Phoenix area Wal-Mart and Toys R Us stores. The price ranges from $4.99 to $19.99 and are appropriate for ages 5+.  I'm sure they'll be available nationwide in a  few months.

Just don't ask me how to pronounce the name -- because I don't know!

*Disclosure: I received a package of toys to share with my boys and their friends from Mommy Parties and Cepia, Inc.  No further compensation was provided.  All thoughts and opinions are our own.*

Her Last Day of Being Three

Unlike my boys, she can't wait to turn four tomorrow!  I remember each boy feeling nervous about turning four, but Lydia is ready to face the next year head on!

Review: Bob Books Reading Magic App (iPad and iPod Touch)

Bob Books was one of the tools I used to help my boys learn to read. I remember thinking they were ridiculously simple, but then realizing that was what made them amazing.  Both boys quickly mastered the small words and short sentences, which gave them almost-instant satisfaction and a confidence boost.

I fully expected to make them available for Lydia, and already have a few sets on the shelves ready for her. When I was contacted about the Reading Magic app they recently released, I was excited to try it out!  There is an app available for the iPod Touch and iPhone, as well as one for the iPad.  We tried both out, and the video shows Lydia using our iPad and the Reading Magic app.



As you can see, she enjoys it!  I was surprised at how quickly she picked it up.  I really liked the fact that you can change the settings so that when they are matching the letters to the word, you can choose from actual letters, or the phonic sounds.  Since she is so comfortable with her letters, we set it for phonics.

She thinks the change from black and white to color is interesting, and laughs at how the characters jiggle on the screen.  I like that they kept the same simple line drawings and backgrounds -- but added the color as tasks are completed in the app.


This gets a 5 star, thumbs-up score!

I'm really excited that I can share a code with one of my readers so they can try it out. Let me know if you want to try the app on the iPad or the iPhone or iPod Touch.  They are 2 different downloads, but the app works almost exactly the same on each platform.

To enter the giveaway, click HERE to jump to the giveaway form.  Before you click, take note of the giveaway name and mandatory question so you can fill in the blanks on the form.  Also, be sure that you have an iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone to install the app. (Link to my giveaway rules can be found to the right)

Giveaway Name: Reading Magic
Mandatory Question: On which device will you install Reading Magic?

This giveaway will end on January 7, 2011.  Good Luck!!

*Disclosure: I received 2 codes to download the Reading Magic app for the iPod Touch and the iPad.  I also will receive a code to give to one of my readers.  No additional compensation was provided.  All opinions and thoughts are my own and Lydia's.*

Review: Roman Town

The boys invited a few friends over a couple weeks ago and had a blast playing a new computer game, Roman Town. The game sets up the kids as archeologists and gives them the chance to participate in a dig and learn about artifacts.  The boys (ages 8 - 13) all had a good time playing the game and discovering new things.

The game was easy to navigate and the kids didn't need any prompting and very little help playing it.  They ran into some frustrations when asked to fill in a report, but the older kids stepped in and got the report completed so they could go on and uncover more artifacts.  There were plenty of opportunities to learn more about the things they discovered and they had fun playing for quite a while!




Mommy Parties, who sponsored the party along with Roman Town's creators (dig-itgames.com), sent along a fun package including not only copies of the game, but also water bottles and hats for the kids.  The kids got a kick out of the hats, which they don't have much opportunity to wear in Arizona, and all the water bottles got used that day.

The boys had fun playing in the dirt in our backyard after playing on the computer and did a little discovery of their own.  They had a fun afternoon, and played hard.

My boys have played the game a few times since the party.  I wish there was a download option as well as a CD option because my boys' netbooks don't have CD drives and I would've liked to load the game on their machines.

I love that Roman Town was educational as well as fun for the kids!  Definitely a game to consider for your kids.

Review: Toy Story 3 Action Links Toy

sWhen a huge box landed on our doorstep a while ago, my boys were eager to see what was inside.  When they saw the Toy Story 3 Action Link toys, they were thrilled and couldn't wait to get their hands on the toys.  They were not so thrilled when I told them they had to wait until we could schedule a party.

So, you can imagine their excitement when the party date finally arrived. We had a few boys over to set up and test out these new toys and they received resounding positive reviews!  The kids had a great time setting up the different sets and loved how they could all fit together, or be played with separately.  They were able to play with a number of the sets, as well as share a couple of the sets with friends and also Toy Story 3 buddy packs of the action figures.



These toys were a big hit, and got a thumbs up from everyone who played with them! 

Disclosure: I received a party pack of toys and party ideas from Mommy Parties.  No additional compensation was provided, but my kids were super-thrilled to be included in another awesome party!

Review: Tony Hawk: Shred

We have been playing Tony Hawk: Shred for a week or so and have had a great time.  We received a bundle with the game and controller for our Wii and I think it has become Nate's favorite Wii game!

The focus of the game is to ride skateboards or snowboards in a variety of settings with a few different characters. The bundle came with a skateboard controller that lies on the floor.  All the controls are handled on the skateboard by leaning your body left or right, or lifting the board up from the front or back.  The kids quickly caught on to the controls, but I confess that my bum ankle means that I have a difficult time balancing on the board. Using the board controller definitely requires good balance!

Nate (8yo) has started figuring out more tricks, and even Lydia (3yo) has gone through the training portion and plays the game (although she cheats a bit on how she uses the controller by standing off the board and using her foot to tip it up or down.)  Colin (10yo) prefers the snowboarding game vs. skateboarding, but I think that's just a personal preference because his brother prefers skateboarding.

I shot this video last week (when I was in the middle of a rotten cold that ruined my voice, so excuse my raspy speech.)





We just started rating video games on a 5 star basis, and the boys both gave this one 5 stars.   It would be a blast to find this game under the Christmas tree this year!  I know we'll have tons of fun with it.

Tony Hawk: Shred is available for Wii, XBox 360, and PlayStation 3. 

*Disclosure: I received the Tony Hawk: Shred bundle for Wii to facilitate this review.  No compensation was provided.  All opinions, thoughts, words and video are my own.*

Review: Tap and Teach: The Story of Noah's Ark for Nintendo DS

Lydia (3yo) had a chance to try out a game for Nintendo DS -- Tap and Teach: The Story of Noah's Ark.  It's a new release from South Peak Interactive for kids ages 3 - 6.  Lydia is my little tech-baby, comfortable using her own iPod, our iPad and a few other video games. Until now, we didn't have any DS games that were appropriate for her, so she was excited when I let her use my pink DS to try this one out.

The game has a narration of the Noah's Ark story, which she enjoyed (all my kids love audiobooks), but her favorite part is the coloring pages.  The game also has a few games included to help with reading and music, but she mostly played with the coloring pages and the narrated story.

The graphics are well-done and the game is easy for a 3yo to navigate (granted she's been navigating video games and apps for over a year, but I still think it's easy to navigate.)  I shot a video of her playing with it recently, and I can tell you that it's a big hit.  I look forward to seeing what other titles they add to this series!

(And, I know that's not a pink DS in this video.  That was on the charger, so she was using her Dad's.)




*Disclosure: I received an advance copy of the Nintendo DS game, Noah's Ark to facilitate this review.  No additional compensation was received.*