Archive for January, 2010

Math thrills and chills!

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

We were lucky enough to go on vacation to Disneyworld last week—ok, I know on the surface, not so “shoestring” of us, but if you can’t pinch your pennies for a trip to the big “D”, what can you?  But I have to report that above and beyond all of the wonderful things our girls experienced there, one of their favorite things was a new exhibit/ride at Epcot called “Sum of all Thrills”. Basically you get to design and “ride” your own thrill ride – either a rollercoaster, bobsled run or fly a jet. You do some simple but fun programming at the beginning and then they feed your program into a simulator built for two, and you actually “ride” your design. My kids loved it, and it got them excited about math and engineering.

We found out that the fun continues on a website – we just tried it this morning, and there is so much to explore, we can’t wait to try it all. I think it’s best for kids kids 7 and up … check it out right away!

www.mathmovesu.com

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Make Hand Washing Fun

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Pet Fish Soap!

Pet Fish Soap!

I was just introduced to this really neat (and I mean neat!) company called Primal elements.  They design the coolest soaps, candles, lotions etc.  My favorite is a soap that is called fish in bag ~ it looks just like a plastic bag filed with water and a goldfish.  Makes me yearn for a carnival.  Best of all, it makes  a really cute and affordable gift that will make hand washing fun for kids (always a bonus)

Check it it and all their other goodies at: www.primalelementsonline.com

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Amazing Mind

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

We had Lisa Weiss one of the founders of the “Amazing Mind” on our radio show this week.  Amazing Mind is an a fabulous hands-on enrichment program for first and second graders that incorporates fun interactive activities into everyday learning experiences.  Lisa was kind enough to give us a few ideas for things parents can do at home to inspire learning.  Hope you enjoy them.

1) Determine how long a penny has been in circulation.  Using a calculator enter the current year.  Subtract the year shown on the penny.

2) Make a raisin bounce.  Using a cup, water, vinegar, baking soda and a few raisins; they really do bounce up and down in the cup!

3) Make a cloud in a bottle.  All you need is an empty plastic water or pop bottle (any size), some hot water and a match.  A child can learn how clouds form.

4) Create an ancient Egyptian archaeological dig.  Gather some trinkets, plaster of paris mixed w/water and a small container of any kind.  Place the trinkets in the container and pour the plaster mixture over the toys to bury them.  Let it harden overnight and the next day, use a hammer and chip away the plaster and voila, buried archaeological treasures!

Best,

Beth

Posted in Children, Education | 3 Comments »

How Can We Help Haiti?

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

A terrific concept has be born out of tragedy.

The Craft for Hope etsy shop is  place where you can go and buy lovely crafts ~ including a TOM SELLECK pillow AND  100% proceeds going directly to Doctors without Borders who in turn will help those in need in Haiti!

So check it out ~ you might just find that perfect accessory you’ve always wanted while helping our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Best,

Beth

http://crafthope.com/2010/01/craft-hope-for-haiti-shop/

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Portrait Parties

Monday, January 18th, 2010

For those of you who heard our Radio show last week, we talked about a new craze that is sweeping the mommy nation…Portrait Playdates.  the idea is simple, playgroups or just groups of families and friends gather at one house while a photographer takes pictures of the individual kids or families. It is a great way to get professional pictures taken at an affordable price.  If you are local to Chicago here is the contact info for a FABOOSH photgrapher!  She was so wonderful with my little one and took amazing pictures!!!

see details below:

FACEBOOKPORTRAITPARTYKIDS1

Posted in Children, Miscellaneous, Mommy, gifts | No Comments »

The Kite Race

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

It’s almost 40 degrees today which feels like spring, but no, I am not going out to fly a kite!  But I do have some high flying news….I just got word that a book I wrote for Dalmation Press called….wait for it…THE KITE RACE by Beth Engelman is going to be out in next month…at least in Canada, where I found my book listed at  http://www.amazon.ca/Kite-Race-Beth-Engelman/dp/1615241043.

I wrote this book several years ago, right after Jackson was born and I was knee deep in my divorce when our favorite editor, Meg, was still at Piggy Toes before Dalmation bought Piggy toes and Meg left for the UK.  Long story short, the book was put on “hold.” only to be revived in 2010!  So here’s to anyone who has ever had something put on hold, canceled, dumped, or well you get the picture.  Crazy things can happen.

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Freecycle for the New Year!

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

I just got back from picking up some free paint to use on sets for my daughters’ spring dance show. No dumpsters or begging required, I just replied to an island neighbor’s posting on FREECYCLE. If you’ve never heard of Freecycle, here’s the quick scoop: Freecycle is…  ”a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.” Basically, you sign up for Freecycle as a Yahoo group – other people in the group post “Offered” free things, you get the email, and if you can use that thing, you reply that you could use it. You may not get it, but you just might! The best thing about Freecycle (other than getting free useful stuff) is that when you post an item, the person who you choose to get it has to come to your house and pick it up in a timely fashion – no more hauling large items to the local thrift store.

I have given away many things that could have ended up at the dump – old garden edging, black planting pots of all sizes, and I’ve also given away large useful things that were cumbersome to take to the thrift store – a rug, a futon frame and more. You can also post a “Wanted” item – useful when that specific cable goes out, or when you need any color of leftover paint for children’s shows.

To find out more about Freecycle, and to find a group near you go to: www.freecycle.org

Posted in Miscellaneous, Saving Money | No Comments »