Make the most of Hurricane weather - Earth Science for Kids!

As I was searching around the internet for fun ideas to teach my younger daughter more about Hurricanes and the recent weather here in Illinois that has been affected by them, I found this fun website that has tons of great Science Education for kids.

It looks like a great place to find fun information about a variety of things including hurricanes. . .

And additionally has a huge selection of science subjects just perfect for a rainy day, or additional learning for a school project.

This is not a paid post.  I just personally found this website to be fun, informational, educational and one that I will utilize with my 9 year old for weekend or rainy day fun.  Personally I would prefer she be on educational websites like this one than playing Minecraft all day!



**Susan**

For Homeschool or just to Learn at a time convenient for you ~ Levels for Guitar online Guitar Lessons #Levelsforguitar

Do you have time to spend driving back and forth and paying an instructor just so you can learn how to play an instrument?  What about if you have children who also want to learn?  Or several family or friends?



I have found a way to make time in my day - right here at home to learn how to play my Guitar and can even have my kiddos use the lessons too!  And it is affordable, can be done in my own home and at my own pace, at a time that

works for me!



It is called Levels for Guitar.  The website has step by step instructions, videos and lessons for new beginners, level 2 beginners and intermediate players.  With an online metronome, online tuner and other great resources along with instructional videos, it is easy to learn at my own pace and at a time that is convenient for me.



I am impressed so far by the instructions and extras that the Levels for Guitar website has for a beginner player that does have some musical background.  I recommend this for homeschool families, adults wanting to learn and those with busy schedules or who don't have easy access to a teacher.

Or, if you are like me and already pay for weekly music lessons for the kiddos, I just can't add more lessons for myself - either finacially or time wise.  You can learn more about Levels for Guitar at www.levelsforguitar.com

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

{Review} Online Martial Arts Training Course for Kids ~ MOOC

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

The web's first Martial Arts for Kids MOOC (Massive Open Online Classroom).



Although the primary benefit of training in the system is self defense children will also gain in other areas. Such as:



Respect- They will learn the protocols and meanings of these

protocals. these are designed to teach respect for oneself and others.



Discipline- Our martial arts instruction is inspiring.
Children will be inspired to work hard and will thereby naturally
develop self discipline.



Physical Fitness - Classes are energetic. Kids will get lots of exercise.



Coordination - Shou' Shu' develops coordination.
Especially due to that large amount of cross lateral motions. Cross
lateral motions have been shown to enhance learning. Especially helpful
for kids with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia or similar.



Ant-Bullying - Kids will learn to understand how to prevent bullying as well as determining threat level and appropriate responses.



Fun - classes your child is sure to enjoy!



The program includes 13 lessons and a handbook.



My Review:

With my childrens' busy schedules, school, music lessons, art, tumbling and more I just can't find the time to fit in everything I would like them to do - plus the cost can be outrageous for some of the activities we would like to enjoy.  So, when offered the chance to try out an online Karate Class for kids - I was so excited.

My son and I have previously taken a beginner class together but found that the cost and time were just too much for us to manage in our schedule so we had to drop that activity.



Now, I have access to an instructor and "class" anytime that fits in our schedule AND I can watch the instructions over and over until we get it right.  Much better than a little instruction to a lot of people that we quickly forget - now, we can watch and learn the moves over and over until they are correct without wasting the time of the rest of the "class."



I love how this program starts with very basics - correct stance, bowing, proper respect, and the correct terms/names for each.  It can be as slow or fast as the learner can handle and is easy to repeat a lesson anytime!  The instructor is easy to understand and goes slowly so that each move is repeated and done in a way to make it easy to see and learn. Highly recommended by this Mom Reviewer for kids (and parents too)!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review using Tomoson.com. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Help kids learn positive Character Traits with Affies 4 Kids ~ FREE online ebooks and videos!

I wanted to share wiht you and let you know about a great website I recently was introducted to.  It is called Affies 4 Kids!  They have FREE character building Ebooks and Videos for Pre-K and Kindergarten aged children at Affies4Kids®.

Affies4Kids is Entertainment with Characters who have Character! 

Affies4Kids is an easy to use on-line program for young children to engage with Characters who have Character! 

Watch the Audiobook Videos first
and reinforce the stories with the Songbook Videos. The short videos

spark terrific conversations with their young kids on
what it means to have a solid character. Traits such as I Am Kind, I Am a Good Listener, I Am Good at Sharing, I Take Turns,
and more, become part of their inner monologue. Affies4Kids believes
that children who listen to a positive inner-voice are more optimistic
and are more likely to develop an open mindset; building blocks to help a
child flourish.

Affies (child friendly Affirmations) are fun! Watch what happens as your child begins to use positive self-talk. They’ll soon listen to their very own capable, resilient voice while being Entertained by Characters who have Character!

Everything is FREE at www.affies4kids.com

10 Ebooks and Songbook Videos:

I Am Kind

I Take Turns

I Am a Good Listener

I Am Good at Sharing

I Make Smart Choices

I Am Important

I Am a Good Friend

I Am Dependable

I Am Helpful

I Am Smart

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this post - I shared this information because I personally like it and feel my readers will enjoy learning more about it. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Cafe Press Giftcard Giveaway - Holiday Gift Guide 2013 on Mom Loves 2 Read

Welcome to the CafePress Holiday Giveaway! We are super excited to bring you the terrific gifts available from CafePress for everyone on your Christmas list for under $25.00!

CafePress brings you everything you need for the holidays - Tidings of Joy, Dashing Through The Home, For Fans by Fans, Baby It's Cold Outside, Bags That Carry On, and Oh Christmas Tee just for starters! Here are a few of our favorites:

CafePress has all of your holiday needs covered, and one lucky winner is going to receive a $25.00 gift certificate to purchase any item (pre-designed or customized) to make their holidays a little merrier!

Giveaway runs from 11/15 at 8:00 a.m. EST thru 12/10 at 11:59 p.m. EST and is open to residents of the continental United States, ages 18 and older.

This giveaway is part of the #LiaHChristmas Gift Guide & Giveaway Event. You can enter to win all of our giveaways on the main giveaway page here. This event is hosted by Life in a House of Testosterone and co-hosted by Mom Loves 2 Read.

Life in a House of Testosterone organized this event. I received no compensation for promoting this event. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from your own or those stated in this post. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook, Google+, Twitter or Pinterest. Prize shipment will be coordinated by Life in a House of Testosterone and the sponsor of this event. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.".

The Pasta Shoppe Review ~ Pasta with personality

I love good food - then again, most people I know enjoy eating as much as I do.  But as most people like myself, there are certain foods that I love to eat more than others. . . and those that are fun and fanciful as well as yummy and filling top the list of foods I love.



When I found The Pasta Shoppe website and started browsing the fun and fanciful pastas, I was hooked.  But, how do they taste?  Will they hold up to my family's high standards of taste and enjoyment?



Hmm, well, the best way to find out is a real, live taste test. So, of course I contacted them to find out if I could get a few products for review.  They were nice enough to send me a selection that catered to my family . .

. something for each one of us (except Daisy . . . she's not allowed to eat people food, poor doggie).

 

We have the Spinach Basil Garlic Angel hair pasta nests for sophisticated adult tastes, then the fun and fantastic Cheesy Farm Pasta mix, Holiday specials: Snowman Pasta, Reindeer Noodle Soup mix and Wintertime Chilli mix.  For the Illinois Fans, some Illinois fan pasta mix, and some kid friendly favorites: Zoo Animals and Peace, Love & Happiness shaped pasta.

So, what to make first?  Something for the kiddos of course - a favorite, Cheesy Peace Sign pasta!

 Yep, those are Peace Signs, Hearts and Doves in pasta form!  My girls both Love this one!

 Even my 12 year old said it was yummy, though he would prefer baseball shapes to Peace signs!

Then, something fun for Mom to eat for lunch while the kiddos are at school . . .

my favorite Italian Ranch Cold Pasta Salad using the Illinois Fan Pasta . . . personal recipe:

A dash or three of italian salad dressing, way more dashes of my favorite Ranch dressing

Black olives, Fresh Garden grown grape tomatoes, some green olives thrown in for color and contrast

and flavor goodness . . . refrigerate for a couple hours to cool.

then eat and enjoy! 

(for those who like onions and peppers - those make great adds too)

And finally, since this post is already long - one last yummy review . . . 

for the adults - some delicious Spinach Basil Garlic Angel hair pasta nests

Served with Alfredo sauce with spices on top to add some color and flavor . . . my husband's favorite of all the pastas.  He travels quite a bit for work and has eaten at some amazing restaurants.  He said this was as good as some of those restaraunt pastas and he'd love to have this again and again!

I have to agree.  I enjoyed every pasta we tried, and we've eaten nearly all of them already, but this one is my personal favorite as well.

 Now, as if that isn't enough of a reason to go buy some fun pasta, how about the fundraising opportunities offered as well?  Oh, yes!  You or your group can raise money for your troop, group or event through The Pasta Shoppe's fundraising program . . . www.funpastafundraising.com  A great way to share your love of pasta with friends, neighbors and family and raise money for your organization too!



 With a variety of options, there is something for nearly anyone at The Pasta Shoppe ~ Seasonal Pastas, Gluten-free, college teams, pasta nests, meringues, gift sets and more . . .

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review through the sponsor mentioned in the post. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.