WW: Duct Tape Room {Linky}

We ventured out of our home to go to two gallery closings. With gallery openings and closing most of them you have to call to make appointments to go to them. We ended up having the spaces to our selves. Certainly distancing! We still wore masks. 

This one was pretty cool. The artist's name is Nick Miller from Omaha, Nebraska. He built the entire room out of Duct Tape. 

Cool, trippy, and fun!

Starting a New Job Tomorrow

Tomorrow I start my 4th job this year. That’s just crazy, considering I worked almost 20 years being a college instructor. Not crazy at all considering Covid has closed businesses down, took people’s lives, and changed how we all do things. 

I finally got what I hope is a dream job. I’m both excited, and extremely nervous. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. They picked me, just like I picked them. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. Being the newbie, I know mistakes are made. 

I’ve snooped on the fabulous lady’s social media that hired me. She had a few posts about picking the right person to work at your company. I have to put faith in that she knew who she was picking, when she picked me. 

AIM Institute is downtown. I’m always uneasy about driving down there with all their one ways, hard to find parking, and I’m just not there a whole lot. Travis and I ventured out, and drove by my work. It’s close to where The Rose Theater and where I had jury duty at. 

I’ll be remote, for the most part. A blessing with covid, less money on gas, but farther away when I do go in. There is a bus shuttle that goes right by there, but with covid I don’t know that I want to take it. 

Here’s to new beginnings! What’s something new that you’ve started this year?

@stemlabkids Bertie the Balance Bot Review

I really like toys that kids can build themselves. Recently Isaak got Bertie the Balance Bot from STEM Lab Kids to review. 

I was thinking he'd want help building Bertie. NOPE! Isaak wanted to build Bertie the Balance Bot himself. I sat back, watched, and took pictures between each step. 

It took about an hour for the bot to be built. It was a good afternoon. Isaak didn't get too frustrated. He did make a mistake, but it was way at the end. All was good. 

Parts:

There weren't a lot of parts. 

• Wooden pieces that were pre die cut
• Plastic pieces
• Screws - the set included extras if needed
• A battery holder
• Batteries
• A mini screwdriver
• Stickers
• A manual 
• A file - I'm assuming was for the wooden pieces if needed 

Isaak got right to work!

The manual wasn't too hard to figure out. He only struggled with two areas. Considering this toy was made in China, I was wondering if the instructions would be hard to follow. They weren't. 

The wheels were first on the list to be built. Popping them out of their wooden background makes Isaak uneasy. He feels like he's going to break them. I suggested he use a kitchen knife to help him push the pieces out. Of course you wouldn't want to make this suggestion, for any kid younger than Isaak. I was watching him the whole time. 

Isaak liked that the instructions had visual photos, along with text. He's an artsy kid, so visuals help. 

Step 1: 

Sometimes Isaak and I take things a bit to literal. One of the first instructions was to insert the axle into the pulley. They mentioned to use a wooden piece to help push it in. In the visual they show a wooden piece pushing the axle. Isaak was looking for that exact wooden piece, but the piece didn't exist. It was just to assist with pushing the axle in. I suggested to Isaak he go use his hammer he had from Lowes Clinic. He got that, and tapped the axle into place. 

Step 2:

Isaak got to put the battery holder in. 

The Middle Steps: 

Forming the box wasn't too hard. Isaak didn't need any help.

Finishing the last cube like panel was hard, for Isaak. He got it. 

Finishing it up:

I always panic inside when kids get to this point. Like will it work? Did he do this all for nothing? I knew this was for a review, so it could have totally flopped.

Isaak messed up with the batteries. That's something I've done countless times. What can I say? He's my son. We were both thinking it was not going to work. I suggested he put the batteries in the other way. Boom it worked. 

Finishing Touches:

Isaak used the stickers to decorate Bertie. You could go as far as painting the bot if you wanted to. 

Positives: 

• It encourages STEM Learning = Science | Technology | Engineering | Math 
• There's problem solving skills that occur with this toy
• Kids make Bertie the Balance Bot themselves 

Negatives: 

• They left out "A" in STEM to be STEAM - A = Art - Bertie uses art with the stickers and kids designing it themselves - Being a former art instructor this is important to me 
• The batteries are not the best brand
• The toy its self was made in China

Overall I think it's fun to watch kids process through something. It was like watching Isaak's brain wheels move right along with Bertie's actual wheels. 

Disclaimer: I got this product for free in exchange for an honest review. 

WW: Thanksgiving Weekend

For Thanksgiving we had a Zoom meeting, with family that lives right here in the same town. Some might think that’s extreme. I tell ya if there’s something out there, one of my family members catches it. We’ve had Polio, Meningitis, Staph Infection, Chicken Pox, Shingles and more. I didn’t want to add Covid to the list. 

On Thanksgiving my brother in law wasn’t feeling good. He’s a firefighter. My sister soon felt ill to. They both tested positive, for Covid. I guess now we can add that to the ever growing list of things we’ve gotten. I’m thankful, we could meet through technology. I’m hopeful they don’t get it too bad. 

My niece had her hair way up in the Zoom meeting, so the next day I did the same. I was thinking - Gee I haven’t put my hair up this high in f.o.r.e.v.e.r. Reason...there’s a pandemic, and I find no need to get a hair cut. 

On Sunday we set the tree up. I sent the boys out, for an hour walk in the process. They were driving me batty. It’s the season. 

I hope all is well in your family.

Hobbies for Parents While Looking After the Kids at Home

As a parent, you are sometimes limited as to what you can do with your free time. When you need to be at home looking after the kids, you are restricted in terms of the hobbies that you can enjoy, but that is not to say that there aren’t fun and rewarding hobbies to enjoy in the home while looking after the kids. Everyone needs to have hobbies to enjoy in their free time for their own wellbeing, so if you are looking for fun new hobbies that you can do while also looking after the kids then here are a few ideas to get you started.

Cooking

Cooking is perhaps the best hobby because you will need to provide food for the family anyway, so you may as well turn this into an activity that you enjoy instead of making something quick and easy. Learning to cook can be an incredibly rewarding experience, plus you can also use it to improve the diet of your family and reduce your shopping bill. You could also encourage the kids to help as a fun family activity but also a highly practical skill to learn.

Yoga

Many parents get frustrated because they cannot fit exercise into their routine, which is understandable if you have to look after the kids and can’t go out to the gym or for a run. A great alternative is to try yoga at home because this can give you a good physical workout, plus it is good for your mental health too. You can find easy to follow guides online to get started or possibly even join an online class that can bring a social side to this hobby without the need to leave the home.

Casino Games

Casino games are a great hobby for busy parents because it is one that you can easily do on your phone while looking after the kids. There are all kinds of fun, colorful and engaging games to choose from, plus you can find a no deposit casino online that will allow you to get started without spending any money.

Gardening

Gardening is another excellent hobby for when you are looking after the kids because it allows you to make improvements to the home, you can be outside in the fresh air and it is a physically active hobby. It is also incredibly rewarding turning your backyard into a beautiful space full of color and life and there are ways that you can do this no matter how much space you have to work with.

These are just a few ideas that will hopefully give you some inspiration and help you to find a hobby that you enjoy and one which you can do while looking after the kids at home. It is a common grievance for parents that they do not have time for hobbies, but this is not strictly true as there are hobbies that you can enjoy while the kids are doing their homework or watching TV, which can benefit and improve your life in a few ways.

Piano Lessons in the Middle of a Pandemic

Lessonface is launching Piano Pass, a new daily class series of live online piano classes for all ages and all playing levels. Classes for adults and kids. 

The Piano Pass gives you daily access to over 20 live interactive piano classes each week, 80+ classes monthly. All with a live, in-real-time piano teacher. Each designed to energize and inspire you as you progress in your piano playing.

With the Piano Pass, students can attend as many live classes as they want, and feel confident by booking with the Lessonface guarantee. Enroll today and save. Regularly $39/mo. Start today and your first month is $14.99 for the first 30-days. Great teachers, great classes, guaranteed. Kids Pass are just $4.99 to start for the first 30-days. Regularly $19/mo.

For more information visit - https://www.lessonface.com/pianoclasses #onlinepianoclasses

I do plan on giving this to Isaak. I feel bad because he was doing well with piano lessons, then they were ripped away from him, when COVID struck. I'd really like to get him back into playing. Even if it's virtual. 

What's something you've gotten as a gift this year?

Disclaimer: I'm getting lessonface piano lessons, in exchange for an honest review. 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie? Yes Please

Travis grew some pumpkin pie pumpkins. I've been making a lot of pumpkin things:

• Soups
• Pies
• Crisps
• Smoothies

Recently I got HydroPea protein to review. Usually I add dried and ground kale to all my protein powders. I didn't do that this time. The reason is because the powder is pretty packed in the container. Possibly I will when it's down 1/2 way.

I used the HydroPea Protein Powder in a smoothie. We have one almost every morning. 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, for 4: 

• 2 scoops of HydroPea Protein Powder
• 1/4 cup pumpkin
• 4 frozen bananas 
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop of dried ground kale
• Whipped cream + a sprinkle of nutmeg for the topping

You can make the recipe above, or substitute things. I could see adding dates, pumpkin pie seasoning, ginger, or regular milk. You could even leave the kale out.

Truth: I hardly make the same exact smoothie more than once.

Another Truth: I liked this smoothie a lot!

The protein powder didn't make it taste chalky or gritty at all. I've had that happen with protein powders in the past. Not this one. 

About HydroPea Protein Powder:

• It has one ingredient - 100% pure raw yellow peas from Canada. 
• It contains no artificial flavors, or coloring. 
• It has no added sugar.
• There are 27 grams of protein. 
• There are 18 amino acids.
• Vegan? No problem, so is HydroPea.
• Gluten free? No problem, so is HydroPea.
• Watching your intake on GMOs? No problem, so is HydroPea is NON-GMO.

Where to get HydroPea Protein Powder:

You can pick it up on Amazon for $24.95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VFY9BTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I have to say that it will last a long while. 

Do you enjoy smoothies? What would you put in one? 

Disclaimer: I got this product for free to help with this review. The company did not tell me what to write. All opinions are my own. 

Crawligator #giftlist #holidays

I'm pretty excited to share this baby item with you. It's called a Crawligator. What better way to spend having tummy time, then on a fun toy?

My niece Margaret is getting a Crawligator from me. It will be interesting to see how it works for a child that has special needs. My main concern is the G-button port she has for taking in additional breast milk. How will it fit into the Crawligator? Maybe it will work just fine. My sister does give her tummy time. She is able to nurse, but has to supplement. 

You can see her port here:

Little Miss Margaret is getting a pink Crawligator, for Christmas. I hope I'm able to see this kind of smile on Christmas day. Even if it's through a Zoom meeting.

About the Crawligator:

Crawligator Tummy Time rolling Toy provides mobility for infants 6 to 12 months old. Margaret will be about 4 months old. This is something she'll have to grow into. 

JPMA Innovation Award Winner 2019 builds strength, develops gross motor skills and supports independence. 

Pediatric physical therapist recommended. 

Designed to move on a hard floor surface. Lucky for my sister, she has hard wood floors. Sleek contoured surface allows the child to rest comfortably on their stomach. 

MADE IN USA. Free Shipping on The Kiddy Crawler - Order Now for Free Shipping! Cost is $39.99.

Where to get the Crawligator:

https://www.thecrawligator.com/ 

It comes in different colors: Green and Pink

Disclaimer: I will get this product, for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Burrito Blanket Review

Lately with the weather change I’ve been so tired, when it gets dark out. Sometimes I wish people could have a slight hibernation. It wouldn’t last all winter. Just let me cuddle and sleep some! Do you get tired, when the weather switches? 

I can now cuddle up burrito, or taco style. I used to wrap the kids up like burritos when they were little. It would have been more cool if I actually had a burrito blanket, like I do now.

This burrito blanket is reversible. 

It’s certainly light weight and soft to the touch. 

It looks realistic enough. About the only downhill aspect is that it shows all the fold lines. 

Cost:

It's $29.99 with a 25% off clip coupon. Get it, while that coupon is there. 

Where to Get it:  

You can pick it up on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M3VFSS2,

Size:  

50"x60"

Big enough to cover an adult, fun enough for a child to an adult. 

Do you have a blanket that you love wrapping up in? I have to say that I like the one I got through Soft Surrounding the most, but it does get hot in the summer time.

Disclaimer: I got this product for free, or a discounted price to help with this review. All opinions are my own. The company did not tell me what to write. 

WW: Signs {Linky}

Right now I work at Williams Sonoma. It's in a high end shopping area. Soon I'll be bumping up my status, and will be working in the marketing department at a nonprofit that helps integrate technology into schools, and adults that need it. The signs at the high end shopping area have been cracking me up!

It started with the ParentSavvy sign. It was a site that had medical advice, in regards to children. How do I know? I used to write, for ParentSavvy. Why is is funny? Because their site has been gone, since 2017. They must have missed that memo. Possibly they never looked into getting advice. 

Yesterday I walked in there, and saw the the next sign elsewhere in the shopping area. I've seen it before, and had an internal giggle. When I think of blowouts, they are diaper blowouts. I can just picture classy women enjoying their "blowouts" together.