Tuesday, June 30, 2009

TMI Tuesday


1. How many speeding tickets have you had? Accidents? I haven't got a speeding ticket yet and I couldn't possibly write the answer to the last part. Not because I have had many accidents but because I am superstitious.

2. Boxers, briefs or commando? It depends on the day, the tides and the sequence of the planets and such. To answer this question would mean one day, somehow I will have to show proof and you just never know which day it might be. *blush*


3. Have you ever had sex in your office or your place of employment? I have had something like sex but not actual sex if we are saying sex is penetration. Are we?

4. Do you or your so own a motorcycle? Do you ever ride one? Do you wear a helmet when you ride? No I do not own one but I have rode on the back of on. Not in a sexy, hog hugging kinda way but as a teenager taking an occasional ride around the back on her cousins fat boy Harley. He would never take me on his bike without a helmet. He's a cop and that would be a crime.

5. Ever been skinny dipping? Yes but it was in a pool and there was only one other person there. I am not sure if what I did was skinny dipping considering I wasn't actually skinny. I was actually quite curvy. So many I would call it curvy dipping.

Bonus: Ever been arrested? Turned someone in/had someone arrested? No, but I'm still young

Monday, June 29, 2009

Ruby Tuesday - Gems And Jewels of the Garden


Last week I took the kids to a local farm and took a bunch of photos of the flowers there. I love taking pictures of flowers and wish I had a macro lens to really get the detail.



The Jewels this Ruby Tuesday are of a necklace I strung last week. I wanted to see if I could do it. I really love the way it came out and the colors of the red look amazing!


Precious Moments Girls Club Pup, Book, & Online Access Code Giveaway



Hey everyone!

Summer is here and the kids are getting out of school for a hopefully, fun, safe summer.
Thanks to Mom Select I was able to review the second book in the Precious Girls Club series called Operation Kindness and one of two stuffed animals, as well as enter the Virtual world of Precious Moments Precious Girls Club.


If you are not familiar with the Precious Girls Club let me tell you about them. The Precious Girls Club is a wonderful, safe, online environment for your little girls to create their own characters (or "avatars"), decorate their rooms, explore our town, socialize, play games and even shop "virtually" using the points they earn on the site. PGC games reinforce such virtues as helpfulness, kindness, responsibility, loving and caring. In addition to points, many activities award "virtual" virtue charms. And, it's all fun!

Here is the front page of the website.


Online "chat" in Precious Girls Club is safe! PGC members can only communicate with other members. And, girls "talk" using sentences and questions pre-written by Precious Girls Club - no surprises!

PGC makes it easy for mothers to participate in their daughters' online activities. From your own page on our website, you can email from the "real" world to your daughter's "virtual laptop" in her Precious Girls Club room. So, when your child demonstrates "caring" in the real world, you can send her a congratulatory message and points toward an online "caring" charm. The parent's section even suggests ideas for helping your daughter earn her virtue charms at home or in her community. Precious Girls who earn all five virtue charms are awarded a pair of angel wings and the ability to fly - good for a limited-time and only online, of course!

In A Nutshell: Precious Girls Club is something we parents can stand behind. A company that supports teaching values, morals and being a good person is something that the mass media has stopped concerning themselves with. Most companies are appealing to the hip, funky styles that is fine too but there should be choices and with Precious Girls Club we have a choice. There is no reason to rush our children into growing up and I love that Precious Girls Club is all about the virtues I want for my daughter such as kindness, caring, modesty, truthfulness and the rest you can find here.

The website is so much fun and your daughter will love creating her room and meeting the characters of Precious Girls Club especially Katy.

Head over to their website for more information and to read chapter 1 of the Operation Kindness book.

As for the Giveaway I have the Precious Girls Club Book 2 Operation Kindness and the brown dog. It was a tough pick when I asked my daughter which one she wanted to keep and which one would go to a new home she was heartbroken. "Mommy, I don't want one of them to go." I explained that one would be going to a loving home and that we couldn't keep both, she was ok with that. We filmed a beautiful video about the animals and book and she said, she was hoping the dog would go to a good home and that you would take care of it but for some reason the video wasn't on the camera when I tried to load it onto the computer. I was bummed because it was adorable. Oh well, I digress...




Enter to win the Brown Pup & Operation Kindness Book!
Precious Moments has generously provided me with a Brown Pup and the second book, Operation Kindness, for one of my readers!

To Enter The Giveaway: You must be a subscriber or follower! Head over to Precious Moments Girls Club and tell me something you learned about the Precious Girls Club. (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified). (US Only! 18+ Years Only!)

Deadline: July 13, 2009 (midnight)
Do You Want More Entries?

1 Extra - Who would be getting the Book and Pup?

1 Extra - Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment).

1 Extra -
Add me to your blogroll

1 Extra -Add us to your technorati favorites

1 Extra - Follow me on Twitter

1 Extra - Tweet this and leave the URL link.

1 Extra- Post my button on your sidebar


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A winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified within 2 days. You will have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Manic Monday Meme Madness


This week we headed to a farm and spent a couple of hours. The kids love it because beside the animals and a wood train for them to climb on, there is a sand box to sit in. We have a sand box but it the kind you stand at and play. Kids love getting dirty.Play along with Mellow Yellow Monday by clicking here.
Whenever I see a batch of daisy I think of The Magic Garden.
Damn I loved that show when I was little. We miss you Paula & Carole.

For Blue Monday I am submitting my first batch of hand made jewelry. Blue is my favorite color so I noticed most of the jewelry I am designing, centers around the color blue.
Monday Crazy question : Likes Or Dislikes

1. what would you say is your biggest blessing ? My two beautiful babies.

2. do you shop on line...Home goods or personal items? Can you tell us what personal items you look for?? I do shop online but mostly it is virtual window shopping and it is no one thing.

3. Name a song from your past that you have always loved. what year was it recorded? Rhiannon & Sara by Stevie Nicks. Anything Fleetwood Mac makes me long for my childhood.

4. If you found out there was a pedophile living in your neighborhood, would you take any action or ignore the fact?? I would watch very closely. I wouldn't like it. Obviously if I know they are a pedophile they must be registered so I would tell everyone I know to be very aware. I don't believe in witch hunts. What kind of action can you take? Bang on their door with shovels and pitchforks, shouting devil words and thrusting up fists? We can't force anyone out of town but we can pay attention and know what they are up to all the time.

5. If you could live in any city In the USA...what would it be. I would like to live somewhere where there is no humidity and the slew of bugs I contend with.

6. what is the one city you wouldn't live in even if you were paid to!? I don't know enough about every city to say that there is a city that doesn't have a good section.
7. If you were strapped for cash would you ask a parent or sibling for money? Nope. Never.

8. what is your most favorite thing to do to relax when you are not working? These days, make jewelry it changes all the time.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sunday Stealing - The ABC Meme


Sunday Stealing:-

A – An advantage you have – I can juggle a ton of things at one time.

B – Blue or brown eyes – Hazel

C – Chore you hate – Cleaning the bathroom

D – Dad’s name – Robert/Bobby

E – Essential start of your day – Coffee

F – Favorite color – Blue

G – Greatest thing you’ve ever done that made you feel really good – Nursing my babies until they were ready to be done.

H – Habit you have – Bitting my nails.

I – Issue you hate that the world tries to make you pursue – Too many to think about

J – Job title – Mom, wife, friend, accountant, chef, teacher, doctor, dentist, chauffeur, personal assistant, blogger, reviewer.

K – Kohls or Target – Target. You can get a lot more for your buck.

L – Living arrangements – With my husband and children

M – Music you like – All kinds

N - Nicknames – Ree, hun, mom, chick, ria, ree-ree, grandma, chickleta (sp?)

O – Overnight hospital stay – My appendix op and my cesareans

P – Pet Peeve – Being on time

Q – Quote that you like most – Collaboration not competition

R – Right or left handed – right

S – Siblings – two sisters

T – Time you wake up – when the kids wake (about 6:00 a.m.).

U – Underwear – sometimes

V – Vegetable you dislike – Lima beans

W – What makes you run late – my kids

X – X-rays you’ve had – appendix, neck, back, knee

Y – Yummy food you make – sausage and peppers, better than sex cake, oh everything I do ok in the kitchen.

Z – Zoo animal – monkeys

Self Portrait Sunday #6


Come on, admit it, you look through your photo albums or computer folders and see very few photos of yourself. Maybe it is because, like me, you are usually behind the camera. Or maybe, it's because you never feel you look good in photos so you tell everyone, "don't take any of me."

Join me, putting up your self portrait shots every Sunday. There is only one rule. Link back to me so I can come visit you. I would really love seeing some participants so come and play.
I tried to grab a quick picture today. This week went so fast I hardly had time to think about my SPS. In case anyone joins me, I wanted to make sure I got a post up. If you decide to join me thank you. I can't wait to see your lovely face.

Maria

I Love Saturday



At the farm last week, I feel in love with this baby calf. She isn't that young anymore but look at those sweet eyes. She is kept in a very tiny pen so I doubt she has much of a future although I am trying not to think about that. Isn't she sweet?



Saturday 9: I Want You Back

1. Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson died? I was in my bedroom looking for my land line because at the same moment my cell phone was going off. My girlfriend was calling with a text message that read OMG Michael Jackson died. When I answered my land line all I could think about is I need to find information and don't have time for this call. We had a brief conversation while I scanned the news channels. It wasn't until Fox News confirmed at 6:30 p.m. that I actually believed it.

2. How do you think that he will be remembered? As a sad, disturbed, misunderstood, interesting genius.

3. What was your favorite Jackson tune? Man in the Mirror


and Smooth Criminal

4. Did you watch the original Charlie’s Angels? Oh yes. If you grew up in the 70's you watched Charlies Angels, had the dolls, the posters, wanted to be an angel and had Farrah hair or wanted it.

5. Did someone you know have that poster of Farrah? Quite a few people. I don't think there was a single boy under the age of 25 that didn't have that poster back then.

6. Did you consider her battle with cancer heroic? I don't know that it was heroic but anyone battling cancer is a hero but I believe it is an individual journey and no one can understand what you are going through.

7. Were you a fan of The Tonight Show Starring Johnnie Carson? No, I knew of it but never watched. I was never a late night talk show fan. I got my news during the a.m. Howard Stern run.

8. Did you like Ed McMahon on the show? See answer #7. However I was sad that he passed away.

9. What else will you remember McMahon for? The Jerry Lewis Telethon (he was a cohost) and Star Search.

Want to join in? Go here to learn how and to view the weekly list Small Talk Six topics for 2009.
Today’s topic is “if you had magical sunglasses, name 6 things you would like to see with them.” You can answer this with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, 6 photos, 6 videos, etc . . .

1. I would love to see my mother at various stages of her life. She passed away when I was 12 and seeing her going through her every day life would be a dream.

2. I would like to be on the set of New Moon or Eclipse to see what is really going on there. Being a fly on Rob Pattinson's wall would be a wonderful fantasy. Maybe seeing him in his every day life will allow me to move onto another obsession.


3. If my glasses were really magical and I could see anywhere, I would like to see what it is like in Heaven or even if there is a heaven.

4. Seeing the past play out as a movie before my eyes would answer some of my questions. Was there a God, Jesus, Ark, Garden of Eden?

5. It would be nice to see my sisters and I growing up. Playing together as children and all of our wonderful summers of riding our bikes, playing man hunt, swimming in creeks and just being together.

6. Seeing the birth of my children from a different prospective would be the icing on the cake. I would love to relive their first breaths in the world.

Friday, June 26, 2009

I Need Time Management How about You???

Re: Blog Friendly PRWhen did life get so crazy. Now that the summer is here and the kids are off I really need to manage my time better. Between product and book reviews, social networking, blogging, mothering, my kids summer activities, my own activities and life I really need to be organized.

I had a chance to talk to Bonnie Joy Dewkett a professional organizer, author, motivational speaker and owner of The Joyful Organizer about some tips for organizing my life. Maybe these tips will help you.

Here is what she suggested:

Take Back Your Time with These Simple Tips

  • Clean off your desk completely and start from scratch. Throw away:
    • Unsorted mail (keep the bills)
    • Catalogs you will never order from
    • Duplicate items
    • Copies of something that you have an original of elsewhere
    • Old or unread reading material
    • Internet printouts
o Start your day accomplishing the things that are urgent or left from the night before. If it doesn’t need to get done right away, don’t do it.

o Use your best time, when you are most alert to tackle large tasks. These tasks are usually the tasks we all avoid such as starting a new project, writing a letter, preparing a report etc. However, it is these tasks that make the biggest impact in your day, career and life.

o Use the afternoon hours when you are tired and sleepy to tackle small tasks like returning quick emails and filing paperwork.

o Get your kids involved in time management as early as possible. Ask them how long they believe tasks will take. If they are incorrect, discuss with them how to better estimate the time needed for tasks.

o Set a timer. Use a time for just about every task you do. Sitting down at the computer "to pay bills" can be a three hour process by the time you have checked your email, bought a new scarf, and checked tomorrow's weather. Setting a time will simply keep you on task and give you a clear understanding of how much time you are spending on any give task.

o Start planning summer reading now! IF your kids have summer reading ask them how they want to divide the reading up over time. Develop a plan today. If they are reading chapters, have them create and insert bookmarks at points in the book they can easily read to in a day. This will give them a stopping point without having to look at the clock.

o Don't lose your school routine during the summer months. Although tempting, allowing kids to sleep in every day just makes it harder to get back into the routine of school in the fall.

o If you are overwhelmed by the amount of things you have to do, try this trick. Purchase a basket or container that is about the size of a breadbox. At the beginning of your established work time fill the basket with items that need your attention. (Bills, books, permission slips, broken items, etc). Work until you have emptied the basket. Chances are you will work faster and more efficiently when the end of your work is clearly established. Don't leave items in the basket from day to day and don't add to the basket while you are working.

Check out Bonnie's website here and read her June newsletter that also has some helpful tips.

Bonnie has a ton of services available. Here are just a few.

  • Relocation/moving
  • Photos/scrapbooking
  • Closet and garage system installation
She is available for phone and email coaching services. If you are interested in finding out more about this, please fill out her webform here.
My favorite part of her website is the before and after photos. It is amazing to see such drastic changes and always gives me hope because well, my place is never as bad as the before photos.

Check out Bonnie's blog for some more great tips and pictures.
A giveaway courtesy of Bonnie from The Joyful Organizer coming soon. Check back often.

Thank God It's Friday

It has been so cloudy and rainy for the past four weeks. We get out when we can and take advantage of any moments of sunshine and blue skies.



1. She had a great sense of humor

2. My daughter and guardian angel is by my side, always.

3. I know this: Life has everything to do with you!

4. Please be still.

5. These words apply to me: mother, friend, wife, blogger, women, person, human, sincere, dreamer, and child.

6. For a few moments today the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making some jewelry tomorrow my plans include visiting with my sister-in-law and Sunday, I want to see some decent weather.

1. Where do you get most of your information about current local events? I read the local paper.

2. Where do you get most of your information about current national and international events? Fox & ABC News I get alerts through email all day.
3. Who in your family always is most likely to know what’s up with everyone else in your family? Me. I believe I am the only one keeping up with and talking to everyone. Odd family thing.

4. Who at work (or school) always seems to know what’s going on? I don't work or go to school so N/A

5. What other kinds of news do you try to keep up-to-date on and where do you get it? I keep up with Twilight, Rob Pattinson news. I can find my information on a thousand online sources.

Thanks for participating, and have a happily uneventful weekend!




Breakfast

What is your favorite part of the summertime? I think it is getting to spend more time outdoors and to do more family orientated things.


Lunch
How was this week different than others? The kids graduation from school. I got to watch my son perform. My husband and I met up with a friend at the spur of the moment, and 3 famous celebrities died.


Dinner
What did you think of Michael Jackson? I thought he was sad and misunderstood. I also thought he was fascinating but so bizarre.


Midnight Snack
What do you have planned for this weekend? I have my sister in law stopping by to spend some time with my kids. They don't get to see much family so I am always happy when they are able to be with family. I grew up with all my cousins as did my husband's family. There were plenty of people to count on and be with. Loads of fond memories. My children don't have that.


Recipe for the Week (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for this week?) Giving things up to make your life easier isn't a bad thing it is the necessary thing and you should have no guilt over it. My schedule had just gotten quite crazy and I had to let certain things go. I knew it was right and didn't spend much time deliberating on it. Just go for it.

Ecostore Winner Announced


Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

23

Timestamp: 2009-06-26 18:44:14 UTC

The winner of the Ecostore Giveaway is....

Carol

Congratulations! You will not be disappointed. I will only use their laundry detergent for my son and no other. I love their products.

More New On The Fairy God Mother Academy

Sunday I told you about a new book series coming out in August called The Fairy Godmother Academy.

Here is the latest and greatest information about the book and the website.

I am so excited about the website and the books. The website looks amazing. There is so much to do:
  • Design your own outfits
  • Create your own talisman
  • Add your voice to the million girl choir
  • Meet the characters of the book
As I get more information, I will pass it along.

Mommy Docs Discuss Summer Safety


Summer is here and safety is a top priority as we get into the hot, beach or pool weather. We love the summer in our lake community and spend a lot of time outdoors. This means there is much more cleaning that HAS to take place indoors. I have more laundry, more vacuuming, more mopping and more shower cleaning. Yikes. I am tired just talking about it.

To save money, more and more families are taking day trips over the summer but most of us, are opting for staying at home for vacations or (buzz word of the day) a staycation. Get it? Cute right?

According to a recent Clorox survey, over 60 percent of the Moms surveyed reported an increase in cleaning around the house as their families now spend more time at home.
Mom Central got together with the MommyDocs and came up with a list of Five Tips for Summer Staycations to keep your family safe and your house cleaner during the summer months this year.
Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don't forget to check that your child's hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don't forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.

Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!

Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don't have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don't forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria.
For more summer safety tips check out the mommydocs here

Side note: Don't you just love their logo of the band aid and the stereoscope?

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Twilight Boutique And Bella & Edwards Meadow Ring


Twilight fans have a got a ring for you. Tamar of of Twilight Boutique would like to bestow a very generous offer to my readers.


The ring above is called Bella & Edwards Meadow Ring C. Pretty right? This is the one being offered as a giveaway.

However, if you love her jewelry you can head over to Twilight Boutique and purchase one of her other exquisite items for 10% less just by mentioning my blog. On top of that, when you purchase from Tamar she offers a $5.00 credit for any future purchase made in her store.

I think the Twilight Victorian Edward Only necklace is my personal favorite.


Giveaway Directions:

Enter The Giveaway: You must be a subscriber or a follower! Visit Twilight Boutique and then come back and tell me your personal favorite beside the two I have listed here. (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified). (US Only!)

Deadline: July 10, 2009 (midnight)

Do You Want More Entries?

2 Extra - Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment).

1 Extra - Favorite Twilight Boutique on Etsy

5 Extra - Make a purchase from Twilight Boutique

1 Extra -
Add me to your blogroll

1 Extra - Follow me on Twitter

1 Extra - Tweet this and leave the URL link.

1 Extra- Post my button on your sidebar

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A winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified within 2 days. You will have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen.


Thursday Memes Are Tons of Photos

Thursday Challenge asked for photos of Summer.

This week was my children's last days at school before summer vacation. I was lucky enough to snap this hug, between three of the girls in class. Two, will be off to Kindergarten next year and the one in the middle will not see them. They look so cute as they huddled and hugged.


I think this photo says a thousand words because it can have so many interpretations. Is she tired? Does she have a headache? Did something over there upset her? Nope, actually she was just telling me to look at the duck and was about to wipe her hair out of her eyes.

For Thematic Photographic Thursday head over to Carmi to play along with the Cloudy Theme. This is one of my favorite photos from last month. I love the clouds and the angle.




1. Someone knocks at your door. You answer it. It's a kid from the local school selling candy bars for a fundraiser. Do you buy one? I usually say I don't have cash because well, I never have cash. I am an debit card shopper. If kids start walking around with little debit swippers I'm screwed.

2. The end of the world is tomorrow and you are out of milk - do you go buy some? Yup only not a gallon, maybe just a half. My kids love their milk at night and I need it for my coffee too. What would the end of the world be like without my damn coffee? I shudder to think.

3. Have you ever picked up the phone and called someone that you hadn't talked to in years? I am famous for this. I haven't done this in a long time but sometimes on down time (hahahahaa, like that exists anymore), I would grab my phone book, close my eyes and point. Whomever I landed on got a call.

4. Whats on your computer desktop background? This picture of Rob Pattinson. I change it bi-weekly but it is always Rob!


5. What was the very first movie you saw in a movie theater? Oh geez..I have no idea...that was years ago. Sad to say and I wish I knew.

6. If you had to take a 10th grade science test, do you think you would pass? Oh geez. I would definitely fail. Now I really want to take one so I could see for sure.

7. Describe heaven. Ok, cue curtains...heaven is blue and white. People are polite and loving. Everyone is a friend and ....oh that sounds so boring. Everyone looks like Rob Pattinson and wants to spend eternity making me happy. Yeah, now that is more like it.

8. Has a place that you lived ever been infested with some sort of insect or rodent? I used to live with a boyfriend in Newark. He was my first live-in (there were 3-discuss amongst yourself). His family lived in a filthy apartment downstairs. We paid monthly for the whole apartment house to be sprayed but it never worked. Roaches are disgusting creatures.

9. When you were a youngin', did you hide in the clothes racks at department stores? Never.

10. Is there anything in your vehicle that is broken? I don't know what it is but my engine light has been on for over 5 months.

11. What is something in your house that people would be surprise to find? Probably that I have a lot of Wicca type books and herbs that I used to use before children. I dabbled in Rune and Tarot cards and that I have a coffin pocketbook that I adore.

12. Do you agree with the death penalty? Yes. In fact there are a few people that I would pull the switch on myself.

13. Whats your favorite type of bear? One in a cage or very far away from me.

14. Where was the last place you went? I took the kids to the park this morning.

15. What if that person knocking at your door earlier was an adult selling candy bars... would you buy one? I would tell them the same thing. Well, if HE was cute, I might find some change.

Schools Out But An Idle Mind As They Say....*GIVEAWAY*



Hey everyone!

Summer is here and the kids are getting out of school for a hopefully, fun, safe summer.

In my house like a lot of my friends homes, we continue to promote school, learning, explorer and fun activities to keep the kids motivated.

I remember when I was a kid, summer came and it was awesome but by the end of July I was bored. My sisters and I sat around looking for our mom to give us things to do. Kids love routine and they love learning.

Interactive Book Webscene (IBW)
takes learning and twists it into a fun, interactive lesson that kids will love.

My son was able to review a KA Reader book entitled Coming Home. We read the story together then went online to the webscene to watch it play out. The characters are cute, funny and colorful and my son enjoyed putting faces to the characters we were reading about in the book. I loved the word patterns used in each lesson and the themes used throughout the lesson.

My daughter and I worked on one of the Busy Preschooler books called Celebration of Letters A and B. What I love most about this type of lesson is that your child wants to learn. We have held "mommy school" for years now. Mostly we work on worksheets, counting, colors and hand play together and my kids expect and want to do it. But some of my friends wait until the end of the summer and want the kids to do some work to get them back into school groove. Kids aren't happy which leads to mom not being happy. With IBW you set the child up and they don't even know they are learning.

We particularly loved the ABC Trace. My daughter had a great time "painting the letter".

I really appreciated that beside a lesson plan there was a visual lesson to go along. Most children are very visual and this helps to push the point home while remaining fun and interactive.

Each lesson book is in English and in Spanish, easy to use and full of opportunities to promote school readiness.

IBW titles use a new storytelling process that combines an actual print book with the interactivity of online animations. Here’s how it works: you read a chapter. At the end of the chapter, you find a weblink. When you go online to the weblink, you find an animation or other multimedia called a webscene that’s part of the story. After you view the webscene, you go back to the book to read another chapter, find another weblink and so on. There are seven or more webscenes included with every IBW book.

The Interactive Book-Webscene makes learning fun and costs about the price of a video game for your kids. Why not pass up one of those video games and get them something that invests in their future?

IBW also has a way for you to share the wealth and introduce this system to others. There is a way for you to earn extra money by hosting an event or selling IBW books. Go here for all the details.

The powers that be over at the Interactive Book Webscene have generously offered to let one of my readers choose between one of two IBW products:

The Busy Preschooler's Guide to Learning
-or-
Three (3) KA Readers

Enter The Giveaway: You must be a subscriber or a follower! Leave me a comment letting me what you think of IBW (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified). (US Only!)

Deadline: July 8, 2009 (midnight)

Do You Want More Entries?

1 Extra - Blog about this contest and link back to me (provide the link in the comment).

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Wordless Wednesday - The Flower & ABC Wednesday

ABC Wednesday round 4 is almost at the end with the letter "W". Come play along.

W is Weathered = At a local farm this week I took yet another picture of this truck on the property. I am sure this truck had a very red apple on it one day but the weather and wear and tear of farm life has made it a very dull, white piece of steel.

And Wagon. This photo is 3 years old. My kids look so little here. This picture breaks my heart. It went so damn fast.




1.) To you, what makes the perfect body the perfect body? No hanging fat, some definition and nice curves. On a women, curves are what make her a women and on a man, I love definition. No flat playing fields.

2.) What part of your body do you obsess about the most? My thighs. I wish they were firmer.

3.) What makes a house a warm, welcoming, comfortable home? Clean, smells good, has loads of personality. Color and texture.

4.) What fabric feels sexiest against bare skin? I like to feel satin and silk against my skin but leather feels good too.

5.) What is the lamest lie you have heard in the last month? "It wasn't me, not me, uh huh." My kids say this at least 10 times a day.

6.) What always makes you feel better when you're upset? Hugs. Give me hugs and I am a happy women.