Mythbusters Weird World of Water

Science has always intimidated me. It's true. But thankfully my munchkin boys seem to have inherited their dad's penchant for experimenting, questioning and general inquisitiveness overall. Especially my five year old. He wonders about everything, and questions everything non stop.

We were recently sent the awesome Mythbusters Weird World of Water Kit from the Mythbusters Science Exploration Kit series, brought to you by the makers of Elmer’s Glue, to review. I was really excited when I knew this kit was on its' way to us, because I had little doubt that this was going to be as exciting for my hubby as it would be for my sons. So I kept this review a secret until the day the kit arrived. The timing could not have been better actually, because my five year old had been sick with the flu and bored as could be. (We have all been since bitten with the flu bug, one after the next...hence my lateness with this review post and general absence from my blog as well. Sigh.)

But back to the review. My son was so excited when he saw this kit. He is only 5, but he loves experiments of all kinds already, and he and his dad are forever making things and testing them out. I let him open the kit and check out the items in it,but meany mom that I am (hehe), I did have him wait for his dad to come home from work before actually trying anything out. Believe me, that would have been one pouty man had I not waited for him!

About the kit itself:

With the Elmer's Mythbusters Weird World of Water Science Exploration Kit, kids will uncover the mysteries of water. It freezes and boils and turns into gas. Is there anything it can't do? Can it suck a ship down the drain? Can it blast a rocket into space? This kit can help you solve these questions and many more.

So when the two "men" got their heads together to decide which experiment to try out first, hands down the water rocket was the winner. Oh my gosh, did the two of them have fun. And of course my three year old got in on the action too. When it came time to launch their rocket, my 5 year old could hardly contain himself - he was beyond excited to see what would happen. When my crew took their water rocket outside to try it out, we had neighboring dads and kids joining in the fun. Then when it actually worked, the high fives and smiles were enough to think that a space launch had occurred! And perhaps the best part of all is the that the rocket launch can be done again and again and again!! Which, believe me, it has!

This is a great idea for kids of all ages. As long as younger ones have adult supervision, the activities and experiments are a fantastic way to encourage kids to get involved in science and to use their imagination as they guess potential outcomes. I loved how it my husband and my five year old engaged in discussing and speculating as they worked. I can understand (and agree!) how The Weird World of Water Science Kit recently became the winner of the FamilyFun Magazine 2009 T.O.Y. Award!

The Weird World of Water Kit includes:

• 15 yellow beads
• 3 pieces of balsa wood
• 2 soda bottles and caps
• 1 clear cylinder
• 1 clear straw
• 1 clear tube
• 1 fin holder
• 1 funnel
• 1 nose cone
• 1 pipette
• Glitter
• Red food coloring
• Yellow food coloring
• Stopper assembly
  
• Votex connector

Almost everything needed to do the various water projects. For the water rocket, we needed to supply the baking soda and vinegar, but that was it. And for the fun and learning this one project alone provided, it is well worth providing the vinegar and baking soda! I think this is a wonderful gift for kids and I am very intrigued now with their other kits available--- Mythbusters Force of Flight Science Kit and Mythbusters Power of Air Pressure Science Kit. Each kit is available for $19.95 at the Discovery Store, or all 3 sets can be purchased together for $49.99.

When learning is fun, and gets parents and kids involved together, that is priceless. And that is exactly what our science kit did.


This kit was send to me free of charge from Team Mom, no monetary compensation was given. The thoughts and opinions are based on our experience with the product and were not influenced by any other source.

New Infant Nutrition Website Launches!

I am excited to share an amazing resource for expecting and new moms....it is a new website www.InfantNutritionCenter.com, and it is really remarkable!

The site lets you explore and learn the latest research findings through video, pictures, and graphics, in depth questions like why infant eyesight depends on getting enough DHA and what key nutrients contribute to the healthy growth of your child's brain. The website shares information from leading health centers and researchers across the country to explain how nutrition is crucial to infant development. How can you make sure that your newborn gets the nutrients she needs to ensure healthy growth through her first birthday? How do you keep her stomach from getting upset? What should you, as an expectant Mom, eat to ensure that you stay healthy as your infant grows? What vitamins do you need if you're breastfeeding to ensure that you're passing along the right nutrients to your infant?

The amazing videos clearly explain how proper nutrition shapes development and how individual nutrients affect the senses, bone formation, and the immune system of infants. Breastfeeding and formula advances are discussed, and for pregnant women, there is information on healthy eating for themselves and their growing babies.

Created by Mead Johnson as a service for Moms, you can watch the webcast of the launch of Infant Nutrition Center.com, and then check out this great resource yourself. And if you know anyone that is expecting a new baby, or has just become a new mom, you may want to pass on the website information as well!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mead Johnson. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Are You Ready For Halloween Night?

Oh the excitement is building around our house today.... costumes are ready, trick or treat bags are ready for action, and my kids are counting down to the big night! I am dreading the aftermath of Halloween night though, because then the war of the candy begins. Three kids... endless candy right in their hands ..... a stressed out mom trying to control the situation and the sugar rush....ack!

I read an interesting idea for a healthier Trick or Treat option that could replace the candy yet hopefully maintain kid-approval: chocolate milk in shelf stable cartons. I have to admit I would never have thought of milk cartons as a candy alternative for ghosts and goblins, but the more I think about it, it is not such a bad idea.

Milk served in cartons tastes good AND is good for the environment because the cartons are mainly made from paper, a renewable resource that can be replenished – plus, they have a low carbon footprint and are recyclable., and it can be conveniently stored away and chilled later, when you are ready to serve it. Maybe not a bad idea for Twick or Tweet Me night after all.

If you visit the Trick or Treat Me blog, they have some coupons for milk cartons if you are interested in this idea.

Happy Halloween!

Harry Connick Jr.-- "Your Songs" Review

Harry Connick Jr. has won my heart! Sorry to the hubby....but oh how this man touches my soul with his music....sigh.

In "Your Songs," Connick sings familiar songs with a full Jazz big band and string orchestra, and, as with nearly all of Harry's previous albums, he wrote each of the orchestrations himself. He also recruited two of his lifelong friends from New Orleans, Branford and Wynton Marsalis, as well as bluegrass guitar virtuoso Bryan Sutton, for guest appearances. 14 tracks including 'Mona Lisa', 'Smile', 'Just The Way You Are' and more.

There is something so warm and genuine in Harry Connick's singing that simply draws me in. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this new CD of his, and several songs had me teary-eyed. Because the songs are familiar old time classics, memories of times past crept into my mind as I listened. And I loved hearing some songs that I had loved before, but over time had forgotten about!

My favorite song by far has to be Harry's version of "Can't Help Falling in Love With You."

A bit about Harry Connick if you are not familiar with him:

"Harry's been indulging his musical passion since the age of 3, and played publicly for the first time at the age of 6! His career has been studded with awards and recognition, including several multi-platinum and gold albums, 25 million albums sold worldwide, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Awards; Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, and so much more.

Married since 1994 to model Jill Goodacre, they have three daughters ranging in ages from 7-13."

Check out the awesome track list on this latest CD of Connick's, and the original artists -- (I think this CD would make a wonderful Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for moms, grandmothers, sisters, etc... ! And visit Harry's website to learn more about him and his music!

All The Way (Frank Sinatra)

Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)

Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)

And I Love Her (The Beatles)

(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)

Besame Mucho

The Way You Look Tonight

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)

Your Song (Elton John)

Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)

Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)

Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)


Thanks to One2One Network for providing information and product sampling for this review and giveaway.

Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes GIVEAWAY!!

Love the Souplantation (also known as Sweet Tomatoes)?? My family loves eating at the Souplantation not only because it is so yummy....but there is always something to make everyone happy! My kids love the ice cream/sundae bar the best...go figure! And three lucky readers will win free passes to enjoy a meal at either restaurant! But before I give out the giveaway details, check out this awesome contest:

On October 1, Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes restaurants announced the crEATe Recipe Contest (http://www.souplantation.com/create/) . Throughout the month of October, guests can submit their recipes for mouth-watering combinations made entirely from Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes menu items through the Web site, Facebook page, or by e-mail. Ten finalists will be chosen in November and all guests will be invited to vote for their favorite finalist in December. The winning recipe and chef will be announced in January and will win a year’s worth of free passes and the chance to be featured in an upcoming ad.

Here are the create contest rules: The contest is open to restaurant guests in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas Utah and Washington. Guests must submit their recipe and a photo of themselves alongside the completed dish by October 31. The recipe must contain at least 2 to 5 Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes menu items only and will be judged based on menu and visual appeal, ingredient list, and creativity. Recipes and photos can be submitted online at http://www.souplantation.com/create, on the Facebook page, or by email to create@gardenfreshcorp.com

And like I said, three lucky readers of my blog will each win a set of two passes to enjoy at a Souplantation or Sweet Tomatoes restaurant!

TO ENTER, visit the Souplantation website, and then leave me a comment telling me your favorite menu item.


Extra Entries:

Subscribe to Happy Healthy Families
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Contest will end November 1oth @ 11:59 EST
Winners will be notified by email and will have 36 hours to confirm.
Winners chosen by Random.org
This giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck!

This post was written as part of a program for Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes, who provided complimentary dining passes for review and giveaway.

Rummino For Family Game Night

I grew up loving board games....I seriously could never get enough of them, especially Clue! My daughter and hubby do not share my passion however, and it is always a challenge to get them involved in a family game night. But thanks to a review opportunity I had for the game, Rummino, I succeeded in getting them both to enjoy a fun family game night..FINALLY!!

Rummino, by Marina Games is kind of like a cross between Rummy and Scrabble. I found it to be challenging and fun, especially after we all got the hang of it. Rummino is recommended for ages 8 , but I have to say that my two munchkin boys have their own fun with the tiles matching and guessing the letters.

So if you are in search for a new game for the family, try Rummino! You can order it here from Marina Games for $19.99.


Thank you to Marina Games and The Family Review Network for providing me with the game for purposes of this review. My opinions regarding this product are my own, and have not been influenced by receiving the product.

Pen Pal Notes Giveaway Winner!!

Here are your random numbers:

13

Gianna said...

Meet the US Presidents :) Congratulations. Please check for an email confirmation from me!

Thanks to all who entered!