Wordless Wednesday -- Gift

Review: 1-800-Specs

I have worn glasses (or contacts) since I was 6 years old.  I can't see much of anything without corrective lenses, so there's never an option of leaving them behind.  As I've gotten older, I find myself needing bifocals in order to continue reading. 

My last pair of glasses was the least expensive I could buy at the local eyeglass place and I think they set me back about $300 because of the high prescription and the need for bifocals.  They also weren't very attractive.  Okay, I didn't like them at all.

I wear contacts most of the time, but I have a hard time reading with them.  I have planned for a while to replace my glasses with a nicer pair.

I was offered the opportunity to try out 1-800-Specs.com recently and jumped at the chance!  I found a copy of my last eye prescription  so that I could place my order. (I always ask for a copy so I can get the best prices on contacts and glasses.  Did you know that your eye doctor has to give you a copy if you ask?  Those prescriptions belong to you!)

There are lots of choices on their site, even when I narrowed it down to glasses that I could get progressive lenses.  I went back a few different times over a couple days to try and decide which pair I wanted to try. I finally narrowed it down to the pair you see above and entered my information.   I've ordered glasses online before, and knew that the hardest part was figuring out your PD (pupillary distance).  If you google it, there are plenty of sites that help you determine yours, or you can ask your eye doctor to measure it and tell you the number.  That number is never included with your prescription.

The ordering process was easy.  I entered my frame choice, my prescription and my shipping/billing information.  Two weeks later, the glasses were in my mailbox.  I took them out, tried them on, adjusted the nose piece, put them back on and was very happy!  They are so much cuter than my old pair, and I can see out of them perfectly.  I ordered progressive lenses and was a little worried about seeing -- but I didn't need to worry.

If you need glasses, I would check out 1-800-Specs and look at all the frames they offer!  I was very happy with how easy it was to use their site and how quickly my glasses arrived. The quality is better than my last pair of glasses purchased locally, are so much cuter, and cost more than 2/3 less!  Since 3 out of 5 of us currently wear glasses, I know I'll be ordering again!  It's much easier on our budget than local choices.


*Disclosure: In exchange for my honest review, I received a pair of prescription eyeglasses from 1-800-specs.com.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Wordless Wednesday - Halloween Hijinx

Review: Hexbugs

We were lucky enough to host a HEXBUGS party, thanks to HEXBUG and Mommy Parties.  I shared the kids' review video last week, and we shared the goodies with friends on Halloween.

I put together some fun goody bags that included Halloween soda, Halloween Pez containers, chocolate lollipops, and of course the new, limited edition, Hexbug Nano Glow-in-the-Dark Micro-Robotic Creatures.  I heard shouts of "All right!" when the boys saw the HEXBUGS in their bags of treats!

In addition to the little bugs -- which you can see the youngest of the crowd had a great time racing around on a tray -- we also had Nano Glow in the Dark Habitat / Race Tracks.  These tracks glowed in the dark really well ( but  didn't photograph well for me) and the kids had a great time watching their bugs whizz around the tracks.  I think this set of bugs is even faster than the last ones we had!

While most of the adults find them a bit creepy, the kids all squeal in delight about the HEXBUGS.  They are definitely a fun toy, and one that all the kids we shared them with agreed are FUN!

You can find them at major retailers, including Target, Radio Shack and Amazon.
*Disclosure: I received an awesome Halloween Party Pack, full of awesome toys, thanks to Mommy Parties and HEXBUGS. No additional compensation was provided.  All opinions are my own.*

NaNoWriMo for Youth! (Local Event in Chandler AZ)

About a month ago, my sister asked me if I was going to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this year.  I said I wasn't sure, and then she asked if I knew there was a youth program as well.  I wasn't aware of that, so I looked into it (well, okay, she sent me the link and I clicked and started reading.)

The website has tons of great information, including an 126 page workbook that is free to download.  It also has writing prompts, and kids can create accounts to keep track of their word counts online and connect with other writers.

I thought it would be fun for Colin, and maybe Nate.  The more I thought about it, I thought it would be fun to get a group of kids together to work on novels in November.  Colin worked at Gangplank this summer on a journalism camp, so I contacted the director and asked if she had anything planned.  She replied that she didn't, but she'd be happy to provide the space if I would help get the word out and organize it. Of course, I said I would.

Our kick-off event is this Saturday, and we plan to meet again mid-way and then at the end to have a celebration.  I have no idea how many kids will show up, but I'm hoping for at least 10 (and shooting for at least 30).  I shared the information with Colin and Nate's teachers, as well as online, and now here on my blog. 

The event is all about writing.  The kids will set word count goals, and if they meet their goal by the end of the month, they have the opportunity to have their books published.  Adults are expected to write 50,000 words in November, but the youth will set goals between 1,000 and 20,000 probably. 

I'm hoping to find a few sponsors to provide prizes, but I'm holding off searching very hard until I have an idea of how many kids are participating.   I think it will be a great learning experience and I'm excited to read the stories that come out of this project.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year?  What about your kids?  If you're local with young ones, contact me directly for more information about our Saturday event! 

Cereal & Justice League Giveaway!

Do your kids love cereal AND comic books?  Then I have some wonderful news for you!  In select General Mills cereals, you will find one of four collectable DC Super Hero comic books inside, as well as a fun hero mask on the back! 

Participating cereals include Cinnamon Toast Crunch (17 oz.), Lucky Charms (16 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios (17 oz.), Trix (14.8 oz.), Golden Grahams (16 oz.), Reese’s Puffs(18 oz.) and Cocoa Puffs (16.5 oz.).  You will find them at most grocery stores.

I have a set of comics, plus a box of cereal AND a Green Lantern figurine to give away to one of my readers!  My sons were so excited when this box arrived and all 3 of my kids pored over the comic books immediately.

If you want a chance to win this great giveaway, CLICK HERE to pop over to my Giveaway Form (comments left on this post WILL NOT be included in the drawing).  Once there, use this information to fill in the blanks:

GIVEAWAY NAME: Justice League
MANDATORY QUESTION: Who is your favorite superhero?

I will draw the winner next Friday, November 25, 2011.  Good Luck!!


*Disclosure: Product, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills and DC ENTERTAINMENT through MyBlogSpark.*

Review: Zombie Hexbugs for Halloween

Thanks to HEXBUGS and MommyParties, we got an awesome box full of creepy hexbugs to share with some of the boys' friends!  They are getting together on Halloween, but I wanted to share this video in case you were looking for a fun gift for kids this Halloween.

The Zombie HEXBUGS glow in the dark and are a limited edition.  They are packaged in coffin-shaped boxes and they are perfect for Halloween.  They also have glow in the dark HEXBUGS from the Nano Galileo collection and even glow in the dark habitat sets.

I'll be sharing more pictures in a few days, but here is the video review the 3 kids put together!




*Disclosure: We received a package full of HEXBUGS to share with our local friends in exchange for providing a review on this blog.  No additional compensation was provided.*

Tell Me Thursday - Speed Racer

Lydia was zooming around the track at LegoLand during our last vacation. She had a great time! Colin also enjoyed LegoLand, but Nate was a bit bored by the kiddie rides. He is more of a daredevil.

We wanted to go to LegoLand this year, because I was afraid if we waited any longer, the boys would be too old. I think I managed to make it at the perfect time. Colin & Lydia would both return, but Nate has no desire to do so. Colin was impressed with all the Lego sculptures, and Lydia liked all the rides.  I think it's a great park for kids ages 3 - 8 (preferably with some awesome discounts/coupons because it was pricy!)

Wordless Wednesday - Speed Racer

Review: LeapFrog Toys

Since my boys were little, we've been purchasing LeapFrog products.  We have been fans of the DVDs, and their educational products for at least 9 years. When we were offered the chance to share some of the latest products with local friends, I couldn't wait for the box to arrive.

We received a LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet that Lydia couldn't wait to get out of the packaging.  It took about 30 minutes to get it set up via my computer.  We already had an account set up at their site and on my computer because we have a few toys already that incorporate online features.  If we didn't have that already, it would have taken about 15 more minutes.  I think that's important to know for anybody planning to purchase one for a child, because it's something that should be done before giving it to the child, if at all possible.

Once it was set up, Lydia immediately began playing with it.  She has used our iPads and iPhones since she was 2, so the concept of a touch screen and navigating apps is pretty easy for her. She began laughing in delight and was thrilled to play with games that were definitely perfect for her.  We took it on a road trip, and she played with it during our trip and has continued to keep her interest. There are a number of games available for purchase via the website and retail stores. One of Lydia's favorite games right now is a cooking game, that goes along with all the cooking shows we watch on TV.

In the box, we also received a LeapFrog TAG Reading System and a set of books, as well as aLeapFrog Tag World Map. I gathered up the toys and headed off to her child care center to let the kids in her class play and observe what they did.  All the kids were immediately excited by the Explorer, but the map was a big hit when they realized they had to take turns. We also own the US Map and another LeapFrog TAG Reading System, so I took those along to give the kids more things to play with.

They needed only a little guidance in learning how to play with the toys.  The toys held their interest the entire time and they were disappointed when I had to pack up and leave.  It was a definite success. I have always recommended LeapFrog toys, and I am amazed at how well they continue providing high quality, educational toys that kids truly enjoy.

If you're looking for toys this holiday season for the preschool / early elementary kids, I can't recommend LeapFrog toys highly enough.

Lydia did a video review of the LeapPad Explorer.  (She was a bit tired when doing this review, because it's been crazy busy around here lately.)



*Disclosure: I received a party box of LeapFrog toys and activities in exchange for reviewing the products and sharing with local friends and my readers. No additional compensation was provided. Products were provided by LeapFrog and MomSelect.*