Thursday, February 24, 2011
Box Tops DO Make a Difference
It's official - I am "the crazy Box Top lady." Or at least that is what one mom called me yesterday at my son's school. But you know what? I am okay with it. If there is one thing I love, it is FREE MONEY!
Do you realize how much free money is out there for education with those Box Tops on General Mills cereal boxes, Betty Crocker cake mixes and Ziploc bags (just to name a few)? It all adds up...fast. So even if you don't have a child in school, cut out your Box Tops and give them to your local school, a friend with school-age kids, or if you want, send them to me! I would be glad to donate them to my son's school. You can ask any school, and no amount of money would probably ever be enough. And every little bit helps.
Having said that, there are children in Africa who don't have running water or heat, but Box Tops for Education is giving them hope for a better life by donating laptops if you watch the video above. So please do so. It only takes one minute out of your time and lots of money out of a company's pocket to make the lives of children better.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Nick Jr. Boost
Last week, I was thrilled to hear about a new website specifically targeting his age - Nick Jr. Boost
. It's all of his favorite Nick Jr. characters, but with more academically challenging games to play than the games on NickJr.com.
He happened to walk in while I was checking out Nick Jr. Boost
, and the first words that came out of his mouth were, "I want to do Nick Jr. Boost!"
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyP-nsKkVixXp6Il6Hd4M7ZGG2eccqMButGwqGFeeSN0r6Wy4aShHl4Kfsa7TFQLTEb1G6YgvZo3rwLxI9832gB09G-7oJ7osiyjqM8vgOcpfU0rfKkWXKH3bvXxngyR5LkDcZX809TN8/s400/nick+jr+boost+parent+center.jpg)
He has been "playing games" at Nick Jr. Boost since Sunday, and I have been really impressed with the results. First of all, it gives you, the parent, specific information about what subjects your child has been working on while playing on the computer - math, science, art, computer skills, etc. It also tells you how long they have been playing so that you can keep track of how long your child is actually playing on the computer. (We have all been there...15 minutes without a timer set can easily turn into 30 or 45 minutes if you get busy.)
He really likes the site because he is able to pick cyber toys for doing well at games. He is also able to print out certificates of completion, which especially made him feel proud. (As you can see in the picture.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x4UZZHrX3l3FxsL1qtuGEZy9MkrX01fA0DQlhn8HJXcvdwArqtwWGuz88lsazkdsEwDkKOTjgx5TbIMxm5vVa0_TVnKQoX7W7N0Zf85VncJI7-AopWeNDQpScVPp28zcfplYyVTCA5o/s400/DSC04007.jpg)
If your child is in preschool, kindergarten, or 1st grade, I highly recommend using the 7-day free trial to check out Nick Jr. Boost
. Yes, the downside of the site is that it requires a paid subscription. But if you choose to fore go the free trial and lock into an annual subscription, it is only $4.95 a month. It's also a great family value: One Nick Jr. Boost subscription can be used for up to 6 children!
You, as the parent, buy the subscription and you can add up to 6 kids on our account. It's refreshing that they aren't trying to sock it to you for each child.
I am telling you, if you child likes the computer and Nick Jr. characters (Kai Lan, Diego, Dora, Backyardigans and Moose A. Moose), they are going to love Nick Jr. Boost
!
Try out the 7 day free trial and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear if your kids love it, too!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day to Mommy!
My son's kindergarten class has a wall with all of the student's pictures and a piece of work they did for the month. With this month being February, naturally, the work was related to Valentine's Day and President's Day.
While I was in the classroom, I was so happy to look up at his work and see that when he was asked to fill in the blank after "The think I love the most is," he responded, "my Mom and Aunt Jenny." (Aunt Jenny was pretty happy when she found out, too!)
I suppose they caught him on a good day considering I thought his answer would for sure be "Wii." But I will take what I can get.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
What is She Saying?
I feel really bad for this reporter because she seemed so excited for her piece about the Grammy's. But as you will see, it quickly falls apart...
I would call it word salad, but they weren't even words. If you don't laugh hysterically the first time, watch it again. It gets funnier and funnier.
Gotta Love Southern California Weather
First, let me start by apologizing to all of you who are neck deep in snow and freezing weather. You may want to avert your eyes from what I am about to say.
It was 75-80 degrees this weekend in Southern California and we certainly took advantage of the great weather. We started with a walk along the beach in San Clemente with the kids and it couldn't have been any more clear or the perfect climate.
Then we finally took advantage of one of the great perks on living in our new area...the lake! And more importantly, the party boats you can rent. We packed some lunch and headed out with some friends for a couple of hours of smooth sailing. (The lake is so small, only electric boats are allowed.) It was amazing...we actually felt like we were on vacation! And yet, we were only 3 minutes from our house!
The kids then got to play at the playground at the lake, and of course, in the water at the beach once we docked the boat.
Thinking of the wonderful day we had, it brought two things to my mind:
- This is why it is so much more expensive to live in California
- Stay-cations are awesome!!!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Printer Ink Just Got Easier
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XfIrqB80g85hhyfx7u-BsAja9sjkw7Hja_Dvpzm7wnU6D38Vd6_cTfchynn-NuWZ19If-sNyPAnzDbPw9zrOO18GI5u0iVC-kZ6qyCS5dud98TjCRpGqHy5DoDnauFZUkdcGyXtKmhM/s400/mktgBox1.jpg)
Maybe it is just me, but I am very frustrated by the billions of sizes and shapes of printer cartridges out there. Every time I update my printer, the ink from my old one is never compatible (even if it the same brand...HP).
While I was in Target today looking for a new printer cartridge to buy, the sales person told me that Costco is now refilling used cartridges. (Target execs, please don't get mad at her!)
So when I searched about this refill program, wouldn't you know it, it does exist!
All you have to do is bring your used ink cartridge into the 1-Hour Photo Center at Costco. Then while you shop, their high-tech system cleans, refills and test your cartridge. After an hour, your cartridge is ready for pick up.
Now that I have two cartridges, while one is in the printer, I will get the other refilled at Costco so that I won't run out. I can continue to reuse the same two cartridges over and over.
Oh, and the kicker...refilling ink at Costco costs either $7.99 or $9.99. With either price, that is much cheaper than you would pay for a new cartridge. Plus you are helping reduce all the waste that is produced by empty ink cartridges just thrown in the trash.
Talk about going green while saving some green!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
While Mommy is Away...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWRLPM37q5xZmgdIpWwXPyQsklY5Y5bORPw1hTjexxBXJkdTfKvz0mrdeuZ3CjvXDpHuGj80HokBahyphenhyphenFZ98198ZCy6gm7TrzEDtMfATS5Ie3XvCY0xSCzEFYhdALPrW9vqGw8cfMCL68/s400/3.jpg)
So, I am on a fun trip to NYC with a party planning friend who is throwing a fabulous party tomorrow afternoon, and wouldn't you know it, my son's tooth that has been loose the past week decided to come out tonight.
Yes, I am a little bummed that I missed the momentous occasion, but lucky for me, Daddy took these pictures and forwarded them to me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea2JmT1TStnFLTi_MA1jcLWhrWMLGIsNxIJOS9HiyZxbdJGSOzZgwe2Jd88XgNkylMl-HqPMoXLFtHtAymXiAjVF0UQFVT05gRwil3AZ7PTmnWFb86tczCHeZkn6yNuBGuS_bux9CssY/s400/3-1.jpg)
And this is a nice little reminder to me that the day to day life of a mommy can be pretty exciting - even if I missed it!
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