Friday, May 25, 2018

@GoliathGamesUS Review

We love games!

The First Game Goliath Games sent us is Googly Eyes - The Family Game of Wacky Vision

It's a fun game for sure! This is the game I liked watching my kids play the most. 


Lenses:

It comes with glasses where you can switch the lens in and out of. They are easy to switch in and out after a few practices.


There are 3 sets of lenses. Each set of lenses are different with how you see. One you can see fairly well, but things are blurry, another is even more blurry and the other is so blurry you can hardly see.

Isaak's eyes are big already, so it cracked me up with each set of lenses he put on. He just looks so cute and funny!



Game:

This game is more fun with additional players. I should have gotten it out at Isaak's birthday party. Teams work great! Is a drawing game. The more players on a team, the more people to guess a drawing.

Players take turns drawing different things with their switched lenses. The first team to reach Finish wins. For 4-16 players, ages 7 and up. We played with just taking turns.

Game Contents:
  • Colorful Game Board 
  • Tablet Timer 
  • 162 Challenge Cards 
  • 1 Die 
  • 1 Pair of Glasses 
  • 3 Changeable Lenses: Easy, Medium & Difficult

 


The Second Game Goliath Games sent us is Mastermind For Kids - Codemaker Vs. Codebreaker

I couldn't find a direct link on their site for this game. It is in a lot of retail stores. 

This game was Isaak's first choice to play! 



Game:

Use matching, logic and destructive reasoning skills to locate the jungle animals in this challenging Mastermind For Kids game from Pressman Toy, an awesome opportunity for a truly tense duel. For 2 participants Age: 6 years & up.


Game Contents:
  • Plastic base featuring Rocky Mountain Tray
  • 72 Jungle Animal Pieces Spanning 6 Varieties of Colors
  • 15 Red Scoring Pegs 
  • 15 White Scoring Pegs 
  • Game instructions 


This game had the least fighting going on. Have I even mentioned that my boys have some of the same interests, but they are 2 1/2 years apart. There is power struggles, and somethings one child can do better than the other. It helped that this game was in fact for 2 players.


The Third Game Goliath Games sent us is Build or Boom - Build it Fast Then Make Theirs Blast

This was Mica's first choice to play! 


Game:

The big boss is looking for the best builders! In my house the best builder is Mica.

Build your structure quickly yet carefully on your platform according to the card chosen. Mica was steady, and Isaak would go too fast, only to have it crash down.

Once it's built SMASH your boomer to send your opponent’s structure tumbling.

Ages 4 and up. Helps build STEM skills such as analytical thinking and shape recognition. Doesn’t need batteries!




Game Contents: 

  • 4 Boards 
  • 4 Blocks 
  • 4 Triangles 
  • 4 Arches 
  • 4 Cones 
  • 4 I-Beams 
  • 4 Barrels 
  • 2 Builders 
  • 30 Blueprint Cards 
  • 2 Platforms 
  • 2 Boomers 
  • 2 Air Hoses 
  • 1 Card Holder Complete Instructions




Which game do you think you'd like to play the most?

Disclaimer: Goliath sent me these 3 games to help with this review. They in no way influenced what I wrote, or my opinions.

Ways to Keep Your Child's Brain Sharp

Parents, especially young age moms, are always on the lookout for some effective ways to keep their child’s brain active and sharp. It is a ‘need of the hour’ article because children today are getting excessively exposed to technologies and networks and it becomes mandatory for parents to find creative ways to engage their child’s brain. There is really not any specific secret formula for sharpening the children’s brain, but we can arrive at certain possible options which could work in a better way. There are several brain-stimulating activities that boost the mind of the kids, and they all work wonder during the first ten years of birth.

Bid bye to gadgets

When talking about stimulating brains, in the first place the technology and the gadgets have to be removed away so that the brain gets free. Naturally, only after evacuating the insignificant things off their mind, we can fill it with constructive choices. This may sound ambiguous to many parents, but it is indeed possible to pull off gadgets from their children, at least to a great extent, if not completely.
The only thing to ensure is to get children engaged in activities that amuse them more than what gadgets do to them. It may be a big deal for parents to find such activities, but it is obligatory to sharpen the brain. Well, focusing on soft skill activities and origami can help to build a strong concentration as well as a mental focus for the growing children. For instance, you can explore Origami Way so as to get some exciting origami diagrams for your kids.

Brian sharpening Foods

In addition to giving amusing activities for kids to sharpen their brain, it is significant to ensure that parents are giving right foods to their children. Though emphasised n number of times elsewhere, this still needs a repeated mention that says no to junk foods, as they make kids brain blunt and health at high risk. Healthy food options such as eggs, nuts and seeds, fruits, milk and yoghurt certainly help to keep the child’s brain sharper.

Good news for the children and parents is that even dark chocolates help to keep the kids’ brain active. Even some natural herbs help in activating the brain cells in young children, which can be taken under proper medical guidance.

Sports activate brain cells

Sports activities such as swimming, karate and brain gym programs profoundly help in activating the kid’s brain and to maintain a good mental and physical health. Outdoor activities are highly reduced these days, but it really helps the children to be energetic all day long. Sports also helps in good appetite and sound sleep for the children, which indirectly gives good mental health for the growing kids. Highly physically active kids seem to be sharper in academics also.


Reading sharpens brain

Reading is such a blessing for children to keep their brain and their emotions active and sharper. Parents must inculcate the habit of reading in children at a very young age and make it a practice at home. Reading is entirely different from academics, which many children today do not understand. The more the kids’ read, the more, the wiser they become. Every parent has a great responsibility in bringing the culture of reading in their children. This is such a great treat for kids’ brain.

Everything is simple and easily implementable, however high patience and perseverance is required to execute a new habit in children.


Goat's Milk #Soap Review

For washing our hands we usually use liquid soap. For washing our bodies in the shower we use bar soap. I love bar soap so much! It just that I can't see my boys coming in from outside to wash their dirty hands, and having muddy yuckiness left on the bar. I like bar soap much more because it has less chemicals in it.

What soap do you prefer: Bar or Liquid? 

I got a bar of Goat Milk Soap to review. I'm in love with how soft if makes my skin feel!


Where to Get it:

https://elitecreed.com/product/goat-milk-soap

Cost:

$6, which is a great cost in my mind!

What's in it to Make My Skin so Soft:

  • Saponified Organic Coconut Oil
  • Olive Oil
  • Castor Oil
  • Shea Butter
  • Goat's Milk 


What They Left Out That's Harmful to the Skin:

  • No Sulfates 
  • No Phthalates 
  • No Parabens 
  • No Synthetic Colors 
  • No Petroleum
I never have understood why we (the US) has to put so much color into this. Don't get me wrong I love color (I teach Color Theory), but it doesn't make the product better to be say bright pink.

Sulfates bother my skin, so I try and stay away from them.


What I Think:

I love how this soap makes my skin feel! Have you ever used a soap that dries your skin out? That's not this soap! It helps with things like eczema and psoriasis. Although I do think many skin problems have to be helped from inside the body as well. When my kids had eczema probiotics helped! Some people need diet changes as well.

Disclaimer: I got this product for a discounted price in exchange for an honest review. I only review things I think will benefit my readers, and family. This post has my honest opinion.


Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Mama's #jewelry for #mothersday #anyday

I know it's after Mother's Day, but I got something special for the day. It's a Mother's Ring. I've wanted one for awhile, but Travis is always too busy to make one. It does take time! 

I decided to go with NANA Princess Mother's Ring. 

 

Stones: It comes with 1 to 6 birthstones. I got 1 Peridot (Mica's August Birthday) and  1 Emerald (Isaak's May Birthday). The cost is the same as you go up to 6 stones. It is cheaper to get imitation stones, which I did get. 

Metal: Sterling Silver, 10k or 14k White, Yellow or Rose. I like White Gold best, second up is Yellow Gold, and my third choice would be Rose Gold. Each metal does make the cost of the different. What metal would you choose? 

Since we're on a medical budget (my surgeries and Mica's surgery) we've been watching what we spend. For now I get a sterling silver ring. Later on I'll get a white gold ring. 

Cost: It really depends on the kind of metal you choose, and if the stones are imitation, or not. If you go on the lower end the ring is $79, and if you pick the real stones for 6 stones and yellow gold for the metal the cost keeps going up.



I'm happy with it. It's kind of cool that both my boys have stones in the green family. The boys like that I got it as well. Isaak's asked to look at it up close. Mica's asked to take it off to try it on. I'm fairly cautious, but so are they. Isaak puts on and takes off my earrings all the time. He's so careful! 

When I'm not wearing my Mother's Ring it sits here:



Have you ever bought a Mother's Day Ring? 





Mama's Jewelry: 

Mama's Jewelry has been designing rings and pendants for moms for 30 years, and we have no intention of slowing down! Our company is committed to creating exceptional mothers pendants, rings and earrings at affordable prices.

A key benefit to shopping with us is our fast turnaround times. As soon as we receive your order, our CAD technicians and certified jewelers get to work designing and building your custom item. All of our processes follow strict quality control measures. Everything that comes from us has our seal of approval. If we wouldn't give it to our loved ones, we won't send it to you!

Most orders for mothers rings and pendants are able to be sent out within 3 to 5 days, reaching you about a week later. If you're shopping at the last minute, Mama's Jewelry will take care of you and ensure that you get a custom made item that looks like it took months to make! For More Information Visit: https://mamasjewelry.com/

Save:

Mother's Day Special Offer - Save $10 Off already low prices. (minimum purchase $59) @MamasJewelry has been designing rings for moms for 30 years committed to creating exceptional mothers pendants, rings and earrings at affordable prices. Visit: https://mamasjewelry.com/

Disclaimer: I got a Mother's Day ring to write this follow up post. This company did not influence me on what to write.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

WW: May Birthdays {Linky}

We celebrated May birthdays at my house on Mother's Day. It was busy! My nephew Evan turned 13, my son Isaak turned 10, and my nephew Edison turned 4.

Isaak was excited to get some $1 bills. He thinks he's rich when he gets $20.


We gave my nephew Evan a harmonica. He plays the flute, so I think he can figure this out.


We gave my nephew Edison a Plasma Car I won. My sister thought it was pretty fun. Edison liked the box, while it was being set up.



What have you been up to?




Sunday, May 20, 2018

PersonalizedArt.com Mens Toiletry Bag Review #FathersDay

I always struggle with Father's Day, and don't know what to get my husband and my Dad. They are not the typical guys that eat, sleep and drink sports. They don't drink alcohol. They don't even go fishing. I really don't picture either of them wearing a Dad t-shirt. It's not that they don't enjoy being a Dad, it's just not their style to wear sayings on their shirts.

In the past I've gotten them garden tools, plants, and art materials. We've also gone out for breakfast, instead of getting a gift.

What I Got This Year:

When I found the company PersonalizedArt.com, I was indeed a happy person. They have great personalized things on their site. I really like their Mens Toiletry Bags!


Features:

Material: It's 100% leather - I know Travis in particular loves leather. He's gone to a place in town just to buy leather for things.

Size: 9"x4"x4" - It's great for camping, short trips, long trips, and staycations.

Liner: It has a water resistant nylon lining - Great for if it gets water in it from toothbrushes, or razor.

For the Guy - This will work for anyone really. Even I like it! I had, "Apel" put on it, so possibly it can be one of those things that is handed down from Dad to a Son.

Free Engraving - You can put initials on the bag, a last name, or a first name.

Cost - $34, which isn't bad for it being leather and engraved.

Engraving: 

I do like how the engraving came out. They have 10 different fonts to pick from. I happened to get the font: Imperator. I love that they don't add a cost for the engraving.



Zipper: 

I like that the zipper isn't cheap plastic! It's a nice metal zipper! Everything is stitched really well too!


Other Things They Sell: 

Custom Puzzles, Mats, Glasses, Frames, Wooden Cutting Boards, Necklaces, Robes, Keychains, Mouse Pads, Calendars, Dog Collars, Journals, Watches, and much more!

What would you choose to get from PersonalizedArt.com?

Disclaimer: PersonalizedArt.com sent me this Mens Toiletry Bag for free to Review. They did not influence me on what to say. This is an honest review.


HSEOK Laptop Case | Sleeve Review

I bit the bullet, and bought my first laptop. It's a high end MacBook. I have to say I'm nervous to the next step, which is move my files from my work MacBook to my new MacBook. I love technology in some ways, and in other ways it's so overwhelming.

Do you feel that way at times with technology, or do you dive in like a kid opening a big present?

I am happy to share with you a laptop Case | Sleeve made by HSEOK. You can find it on Amazon for $15.99 on Prime.


Size:

15 to 15.6 Inch - The size I got to reivew
13 to 13.3 Inch



Colors:

  • Black - The color I got to review
  • Grey
  • Chevron Grey
  • Teal
What color would you pick? I wanted something that wouldn't be too girly incase the boys needed to use my laptop.



Perks:

I love that it's padded! I feel like black goes with just about anything.

It doesn't take up a lot of space.

It comes with another pouch, which can be used for the charger, a mouse, headphones, and other cords.

It doesn't cost a lot. I'm not saying I'm unwilling to pay more for a bag. This is a great padding for my laptop!

My boys have other HSEOK bags for a smaller laptop that they use for their Kindles. They like them a lot.


One Thing I Wish it Had:

I wish it had a handle. This is the only case that HSEOK had that would fit my laptop. They have other bags that have handles for a smaller laptop.

I'm thinking of keeping this in the padded sleeve, and get a messenger bag to put the sleeve in. Then it's extra padded.

I could keep this in a sleeve for home use, and a bag for taking it away on meetings and other things.

Do you have a laptop, or another device you use?

Disclaimer: I got this product to review for free from HSEOK. HSEOK did not tell me what to write. 

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com