Beating the Never-Ending Summer Blues

I feel like summer has been going on since Spring Break. Technically, my kids had school (albeit at home), starting about 2 weeks after Spring Break ended. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, home has been our prison of a sorts. I have gotten creative with challenging their minds. Free time has been filled with reading, writing and as much learning as I can get them into without exhausting them. I recreated this one game I saw on Pinterest (see my blog post here).

What to do when boredom strikes....

Sadly, that game has gotten too repetitive. We started a challenge every night at dinner where I would ask questions. Mostly from history, though I threw in some geographical ones too. I was amazed how few things my children could answer. They know only the things we have taught them on World War 2, Lewis and Clark, the Boston Tea Party, the Vietnam War, the Great Wall of China... My younger son actually said he thought the Great Wall of China was built to keep out the Mexicans! *palm to forehead here* They just finished 4th grade! But I digress. I started them reading books and writing reports on historical events that I find important. I also got a book on geography for them to study over the summer. And while this is all great stuff, I can't overwhelm them with learning all the time. Not unless I can make it fun.

So off to Pinterest I went again. My searches always bring up great ideas later on. And that is where this next challenge came up. It involves Lego, which my children have lots of. You will also need a timer and an account with Teachers Pay Teachers. Don't worry, this printable is completely free! The LegoLibrarian is a genius. I plan to head back for other challenge ideas later.

Here is how the game works:

Each child gets to build an island. I gave my kids 20 minutes to do so with any Lego pieces they wanted. Once the timer dinged, I handed each one a handful of pieces more and took the rest away. I set the timer for 15 minutes more after letting them pick from the challenge cards here.

When that time was up, my husband and I had each child explain their island and how they overcame their challenges. Today was the first time we did it and it was a success. 2/3 kids really put in the effort to add details.

The challenge for this kid was to build a trap to catch a thief.

My daughter had to find another way to make food for her island.

So give it a go! And don't forget to share the fun with us. Let me know in the comments below how your kids liked it or what you think is best about this little game!

Bagblaze website review and giveaway

I was recently contacted by Bagblaze to check out their updated website and host a review.

They revamped their website and made internal changes to provide better service to their customers. They offer quality products at steep discounted rates. What makes them different from their competitors? They keep their inventory in a controlled warehouse so they have less mistakes when it comes to shipping products out. Right now they have a special running. Every new customer can get 10% off their first order.

This is a great addition since everything listed is at a discount already. I like the variety they have and I hope they can expand it to even more products. I found that I was unable to add things to my wish list though as I browsed the home page. You have to click on the listing itself to add it to your wish list or cart. And then, the only way I could get something off was if it were ordered. So after I compared the products that I saw I might be interested in, I couldn't narrow it down as I read the description of each one.

I was a little confused at first about the ordering process. I had a code for $20.00 to use as part of the review. Knowing that what I was ordering was under $20, I wasn't sure at first that the amount left over would be added to the shipping which was just $2 flat rate (SUPER CHEAP SHIPPING!). After entering my card info though, it came out of the remainder.

So be patient as you order if you get a gift card code or such. The website overall is easy to use. Everything is clearly described with as much detail as to be expected. Pictures give you a pretty good idea of what you are considering buying. 

I think it's great that the shipping is a cheap flat rate, but it takes a long wait. I ordered on June 29th. And it arrived on the 14th of July. It's your average pleather-like purse. Not much to say about the item itself. 

Time for some giveaway fun! I'm hosting a Rafflecopter contest so that one lucky winner will get a coupon code for $20 to use on the Bagblaze website. Good luck everyone! 

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Happy Birthday Candle review and giveaway!

Birthdays are supposed to be magical. Growing up, my mother tried to make every birthday I had, a special event that I would remember. These days, there are so many ways to build up those happy memories. I've been to parties with bounce houses, photo booths, dance party themes... There are so many ideas and things out there to make someone's birthday truly special. But the best part of any birthday party? The time for cake! Who cares what Johnny got, Mom! I'm ready for cake. And that wonderfully fun moment of having everyone sing to only you! 
Well, suppose you could make that song even more special? I came across something the other while surfing an app I have. It showed the Happy Birthday Candle. A very unique candle that plays the Happy Birthday song while spinning. Its rather awesome. You light the top candle, it spins and plays, and then the flower bursts open revealing more candles lit up by the main one. 

They come in three colors; Blue 

Pink 

and Yellow 

I took a blue one on my trip to my parents house this past week. My younger brother had his birthday while we were visiting. I thought it would be cool to try out while there. I have to admit, even after the singing ended and he blew out the candles we were still laughing and enjoying the candle. When you light the candle, it shoots up like a sparkler, dazzling and beautiful. The music plays and you can join in with song. As it spins, the flower opens up and reveals all the other candles, neatly lit. I absolutely loved it! 

Check out their website and like their Facebook page! That way you can enter the giveaway to win your own pack of Happy Birthday Candles. Since the owner asked there be only one way to enter (liking his Facebook page), I made it count as a 5 point entry to boost your chances. Feel free to share the contest with your friends and check out my Facebook page as well. I'm always eager to hear what you think or what you want to see on here, so comment or message me! https://www.facebook.com/ReviewsByATexasNerd

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Hi I'm Skinny sticks review and giveaway!

I don't tend to follow the "suggested" serving size that bags have. I'm not the type who counts and when I have counted out chips in particular... My eyes tell my stomach that is surely not enough! The average serving size is about 14 chips. Hi I'm Skinny are so much healthier, you could eat double that amount to match the calories! There are six delicious flavors to choose from. These are also multi-grain snacks, which are becoming a favorite for me especially since they are high in fiber. I'll go through each one and let you know what my family thought.

The multi-grain Cheddar sticks are light and crispy. My 1 year old daughter went to town with a double-fisted snack attack. Definitely a noticeable cheesy-ness but not with the yellowed fingertips most cheese snacks bring. This bag didn’t stand a chance against my family or my mom and siblings who had some on a visit.

The Sweet Potato sticks are indeed sweet. I'm not a fan of sweet potatoes though and my kids didn't get past the second one before they were also done. My mother and siblings enjoyed the sweetness. My mom thought they had an almost cinnamon taste to them.

The multi-grain Sweet Onion ones were among my favorites. Like my mom put it, "The onion ones tasted just like Funyuns . Very good and onioney." (See where I get my made up words from?)

(Can you tell what my husband was snacking on when we opened this bag?)

Next we have the Veggie Tortilla Sticks. They are made of spinach, carrots, and tomato flavors, but aren't very strong on the taste buds. They still made a great grab and go snack. I think they might be better with ranch dip…

On top of the list for favorites - the multi-grain Tangy BBQ were amazing! So full of flavor and ooohh soo good! They are indeed tangy. Reminds me a bit of a hickory flavoring. All of my children dug in too. I was sad to see this bag vanish so quickly and can’t wait to get more.

The last flavor was the multi-grain Sea Salt. Definitely able to taste the grains. Not so much the salt. So if you can't or don't like the salty flavor on your chips, these are perfect. I’m more of a flavor seeker, so I’d prefer these with a dip as well.

For the Veggie and Sea Salt flavors, my PR contact at Hi I'm Skinny offered up a suggestion for the dips that she liked most with these: "With the Veggie Tortilla and the Sea Salt, my favorite dips to pair with are Hummus, Jalapeño Greek Yogurt Dip and a good Pico de Gallo! The Jalapeño Greek Yogurt dip that I love is at Costco." Just a suggestion!

Over all they are all natural, vegan, and non-GMO. They are made with whole grains, have no trans-fat and no cholesterol. You can eat more of these than regular chips with the same nutrition facts percentages. I love the "stick" texture and shape better than chips because they are easier to eat with less mess. I think they are more on the kid-friendly side as well. You can find out which local stores are carrying them in your area here. Like them on Facebook so you can keep up with any new flavors or news they might have. They are also on Twitter and Pinterest. Leave me comment about what your thoughts are and if you have tried them too!

Now its time for some fun! Hi I'm Skinny has been gracious enough to offer up two sampler boxes to 2 winners! Each box will contain 6 full sized bags of the various flavors they have. It is open to all 50 States and US territories, as well as to Canada. So be sure and enter and let me know what you think. I look forward to sharing something so tasty with you!

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Mediterranean Snacks review and information on promotions

My love for Mediterranean Snacks has not diminished since the first tasting! It still grows as I recently received a package containing their newest flavor; Fiery Tomato Baked Lentil Chips.. These are gluten-free, natural, a good source of fiber, and have 70% less fat than most chips. They make the perfect snack for my family. These especially are great as you can dip them, top them or just snack right out the bag.

First of all, they weren't really hot. They do have a kick to them but its tangy. Just a slightly spicy taste amongst the tomato flavoring. I also love they are not drenched with flavorings and salt but have just enough to make them delicious. Its a crispy, crunchy appeal when you need an on-the-go snack.
Now I have some bonus information to share for you... They are always looking for Ambassadors. You fill out a form, if they accept you, you will be notified of upcoming events in your area that could earn you some sweet swag!

Another reason to check them out would be their sweepstakes that is going on now. Check out their Facebook page and read up. Its so easy! Grab any bag of Mediterranean Snacks, snap a picture of you muching down, and upload it to their media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram). Remember to tag them in your pictures and/or email them via the social website you upload to and let them know. You could win over $300 in awesome prizes! Each picture uploaded to each media outlet gets you an entry.

The prize package includes: TimBuk2 Messenger Bag, A NikeFuel Band, Snacks, and more!

Rules and Guidelines:
Our Snack & Snap Sweepstakes runs until December 20, 2013 with three (3) lucky winners selected at random. You only need to enter once for all three drawings.

First winner will be announced on: June 3, 2013, second winner on September 3, 2013, and third winner on December 20, 2013!
What MUST be included in your post:

• 1. Use hashtag: #LiveSnactive™
• 2. Name the store (or event) and location (city,state) of where you purchased/received our snacks.
• 3. Be sure to TAG us in your posts! NOTE: In order for us to see your post, you must be connected to us on the social platforms and the tag is active.

Twitter: @Medsnax
Pinterest: @MedsnacksFaceBook: @MediterraneanSnacks
Instagram: @Medsnax

Mediterranean Snacks contest open to everyone!

I wrote a post about a delicious and healthy snack  company. that my whole family enjoyed - http://foreveranerdmom.blogspot.com/2012/11/mediterranean-snacks-review-and-giveaway.html. Now I'm here to tell you about a promotion they are holding that could win you over $300 in prizes! They have a contest going on which you can read the guide lines on here. Grab a back of Mediterranean Snacks, snap a picture of you with them then post it to any of their many social media outlets! You will be entered to win automatically. Each place you post on earns you another entry!
The contest lasts from now until December 20th of this year.
Guide Lines are as follows:
Rules and Guidelines:
Our Snack & Snap Sweepstakes starts now until December 20, 2013 with three (3) lucky winners selected at random.
First winner will be announced on: June 3, 2013, second winner on September 3, 2013, and third winner on December 20, 2013!
What MUST be included in your post:

• 1. Use hashtag: #LiveSnactive™
• 2. Name the store (or event) and location (city,state) of where you purchased/received our snacks.
• 3. Be sure to TAG us in your posts! NOTE: In order for us to see your post, you must be connected to us on the social platforms and the tag is active.

Good luck to everyone! Let me know if you post or even if you win!

Envision Home Dish Drying Mat Review

I'm all about hygiene in my home. But I also like convenience. Especially in the kitchen. Some things I don't like drying by hand. Takes up too much time that I could be using to do other more important things. And with 3 children, I have to prioritize. So if something gets hand washed I usually leave it to dry on a towel near the sink unless I need it right away. Towels though soak easily and slide sometimes. It can be very frustrating especially for someone who is OCD about things being in their proper place.

Envision Home has some great choices to offer instead of just a towel. The Dish Drying Mat is an excellent choice. While being a colorful addition to your kitchen, it has a strong practical application. It doesn't slide around and is very absorbent without feeling soaked through. It's made of microfiber which feels really soft and sponge-like. I love that it's machine-washable since that makes it easy to clean after a few uses. It is best to let it dry between uses, but it doesn't seem to take as long to dry as my towels did. There is also a nifty hook to hang it up in between uses. I like this since I don't want to have it laying there when guests come over but at the same time, my storage space is limited. However, it does fold easily to fit into your drawer should you want to do it that way. Since it is so beautiful with the simple design and bright color, I also don't mind having it hanging or on the counter everyday as it adds to my homes style.

 

I like how its thicker and has more cushion to it. If a delicate dish falls over on it, its not as likely to break. Its the right size that you could use it under your dish drying rack instead of using a plastic drain board. I personally don't like the plastic boards. Every one that I have tried before has been difficult to clean and gets moldy. Thus I was always using towels...

Another suggested use is to place it under your kitchen appliances such as your mixer, blender, coffee pot - to protect your counters from being scratched and scuffed. This is especially true if you are renting a place like me. Damages to anything in a rented space will mean more money you have to pay when you move out. This can save you from such expenses.

The Care Instructions they have for these dish drying mats are:
Allow the Dish Drying Mat to thoroughly dry between uses. Frequently machine wash with like colors in cold water with a liquid detergent, and before first use. Tumble dry on low. Do not iron. Do not bleach (unless you are looking to tye dye your mat...), use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
I really like their guarantee which is printed on the packaging: This product is guaranteed to provide satisfactory performance. Any item found to be defective in material or workmanship will be replaced free of charge. This shows they are sure of your satisfaction in their products.
You can check out their Facebook Page to keep up with whats new.

***I was not paid or reimbursed in any way. Envision Home provided me with a Dish Drying Mat free of charge in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My opinions are strictly my own.***

Madison at Main Jelly Bean Rug review and giveaway

Lets face it, as moms we are always looking to simplify things. Having three young children means I look to make everything as easy and smooth running as possible.
Also having kids while renting a place, I enjoy having rugs to cover the floors. It not only protects the floors, but adds ways to doll up the living spaces, make a home seem more cozy, and give those little feet running around something soft to run on.

Madison at Main gave me the chance to review a Jelly Bean Rug for you guys. It was so hard picking a style since there are so many to choose from! I settled for the Fiesta Chili's one to put in the kitchen.
It's so fun, washable, and kid friendly. The colors are so vibrant too. It's made from 35% recycled post-consumer PET plastic. While it isn't non-slip, it doesn't slide around too much.
For each type of rug, they have care instructions on their website. The person I was in contact with about receiving my rug was exceptionally friendly. I look forward to possibly getting more rugs from them for our home. In addition to rugs, they have blankets, throws, and afghans.

If you'd like to know more about Madison at Main, keep up with their latest and greatest, or just want to check out what they are currently offering - you can check any of the following links; Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or their website Madison at Main. They also have a blog right here on Blogspot you can subscribe to.
So now for some fun. I get to offer my US resident readers a chance to win their very own rug from Madison at Main! Just submit your entries below and good luck! 
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snackTAXI review and giveaway

Looking to save money or even go green? How about both? And let's add a little fashion to it while we do! You've probably heard of and even use the reusable shopping bags every time you go to the store, right? I know I do. Between having my kids trying to put plastic shopping bags over their heads or my city considering charging for each plastic bag a customer uses, I began using reusable shopping bags. Well, have you ever considered having a reusable snack bag as well? Think about it. We buy plastic bags that end up in landfills after just one use of carrying our snacks and sandwiches. Not only is this adding waste to the environment, but wasting your hard earned money in a dropping economy. So what if there was a bag you could use over and over for just that purpose? I'm happy to announce - there is! I was given the opportunity to try a snackTAXI sandwich-sack out and review it for you.

*The one on the left is the sandwich sack and the one on the right is the snack sack*

snackTAXI makes these cute snack-sacks, produce-sacks, bread-sacks, and sandwich-sacks that you can use over and over. No more wasted money or waste for landfills by buying plastic baggies. Fill 'em up, take them on the go, and then wash them when you are done! There are so many cute designs on soft material to choose from too. I like how the front is sealable with Velcro. It makes it so much easier to get them open when your kids want a snack quick. My kids love the colors and design on it. So now we can save money, keep the planet greener, and look cute doing it.

*Easy open and close with Velcro*

snackTAXI also offers bamboo sporks that are cute, just the right size for carrying along on trips or for little hands. Or how about trying the make-your-own-taxi kit – which includes a set of 4 snack-sacks and 4 markers? Let your kiddos decorate their bags any way they choose and make it all the more fun to carry them! They also have reusable napkins and everyday aprons.

This is an American-based company started in 2003 in Massachusetts, by a mom who had three kids going to school and realized one day just how many plastic bags were coming and going through her home then on to the landfills. It truly is a wonderful idea and one that I think we should all be considering just a little more. These products are lead, phthalates and BPA-free as well as machine-washable and made here in the USA by local sewers. As snackTAXI says: Be a snacktivist – add the original reusable bags for snacks and sandwiches to your life on the go! Check out http://www.snacktaxi.com/ for more information and let’s keep our world greener.

Lastly, I’m offering you, my readers, a chance to win a snack-sack! Enter through the Rafflecopter options below and good luck! *The one pictured below is the one I will be sending the winner.*

***I was given these products free for the purpose of reviewing and sharing only. I was not paid to write anything I said, these are strictly my opinions.***

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