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TOS Crew

Spears Art Studio Review

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The magic of homeschooling is sometimes knowing your strength and weaknesses so you can compensate. That said, we all have our gifts but art is not one of mine so I was very excited to try out Spears Art Studio. I got their K-8th art curriculum and it is designed to use with multiple ages at the same time. I love that because it is hard enough to do art but much less coming up with the time for 3 different lessons.

This program is a definite winner! I got the program completely on a CD ($39.95) and it lays out everything! It is set up on an academic year but you can pick and choose what lessons you do. It has a main lesson for everyone and then has broken out projects for each grade level. The program provides graphics to print off and a list of materials needed. It is really easy to follow with or without any natural talent.

Spears Art Studio also has a high school curriculum and a calligraphy program. I highly recommend this art curriculum for anyone but especially those with more than 1 age group.

literature, preschool, TOS Crew

Review: Rime to Read

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I recently received the opportunity to review the Rime to Read program that is made up of 20 online books. It is designed for either early readers or students who are a bit remedial. I used the books with my 5 year old non-reader and my 3 year old preschooler.

These books are purchased online and then placed in your account. You can then read them online and take advantage of the fact you can click on words to hear the sounds on the repeating words (or rimes or word families). Or you can choose to print them out. My issue in that aspect if the fact you can only print them once. With 4 kids, I can say that 1 copy isn’t quite enough if I want them to be able to drag them around and read them. But since they are ran on just a click of the mouse, the kids can go through them with out you. That is always very helpful!

Now what about the books themselves? They are pretty good. They are organized by word families and one of the great things is it forms pattern. The down part is that they aren’t really in full sentences. So my 5 year old is a bit puzzled to make sense out of the books themselves. The 3 year old doesn’t have that problem. But overall I do think they are very helpful in teaching reading.

Then comes the hammer. At $45 you really have to evaluate how much you will use them. But I also have to disclose I am a huge cheapskate. I absolutely love the Bob Books and won’t buy them (I use the library;). That said I am not a great judge if you are getting a dollar to good value but I do like the system.

You can sign up to get a free book as a sample so go check it out and let me know what you think!

FRN, gift worthy

A Month of Meals Review

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Many of you who read my main blog (NerdFamily Blog) know that I am a huge fan of Meal Planning. I am constantly asked by people about how to start. Well, I found a great e-book called A Month of Meals that can get anyone started down the road to successful meal planning. Jamie Ussher does a great job of explaining how to plan, pricing, recipe rotation and she even gives some really good recipes. With 70 pages she also looks at nutrition and how to make sure that you get all your family needs. If you don’t meal plan, know someone else who needs to start or are just not happy with your system, go check out A Month of Meals.

(FRN Review)

Books, FRN, giveaway

Blog Tour and Giveaway! Queen of the Road

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I recently saw an opportunity to become part of a Blog Tour for a book Queen of the Road and I pondered. Then I saw the subtitle, The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 Miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband and a Bus with a Will of Its Own, and I was hooked. And that was before I found out the married couple was 2 shrinks!

This book is a hilarious look at Doreen Orion’s huge adventure but it doesn’t stop there. It shows a real relationship between a husband and wife with all its own uniqueness and compromise. In addition it seems to show Doreen’s own struggle to make sense of her husband’s desire to spend a year on a bus (she asks, “Why can’t Tim be like every other normal husband and live out his mid-life crisis by having an affair or buying a shiny new Corvette!?”). I am also touched by the vulnerability she shares with all of us in their often not-so-glamorous adventures. Even all you submissive wives (which I hope to count myself among) have to admit that we wouldn’t be real cool in the same situation.

I thought this book was funny and was an easy read. There are also interesting drink recipes that go with each chapter. I haven’t tried any, yet;). But you don’t have to take my word on this book because I have a few other opinions for you.

“A Charles Kuralt-Albert Brooks-style romp where they meet up with nudists, robbers and more. Required Reading.” –The New York Post

“Eat, Pray, Love – without the depression – meets Confessions of a Shopaholic – without the ditz.” – Denver Magazine.

“A charming, insightful and – most important – hilarious book that evokes the best of Bill Bryson and David Sedaris, but spotlights the unique voice of a gifted memoirist.” – Jonathan Kellerman, New York Times Bestselling Novelist


In honor of Queen of the Road I have a giveaway! I am giving away the PC game Discovery: Seek & Find Adventure. It is rated E for Everyone and is for Windows only (sorry Mac users).

This is in addition to the grand prize offered to anyone who comments on any Queen of the Road Blog Tour post! That is a huge giveaway made of:
Mom Logic Tote bag, eye brightener and mouse pad from Mom Logic.
Wrist water bottle from Swiggies $13 value
Gift certificate for free flashcards from Goosie Cards $29 value
Rose Pin ($10 value)
Natural, dye-free dog tug from Purrfect Play $18 value
And there is more!

To enter:

* Just comment!
* A random winner will be selected from the comments given by Dec 13th.

This giveaway is open to addresses within the US. Please leave a way to contact you in case you win.

(FRN Review)

Free

Share Something Sweet

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What could be better than chocolate, Facebook and free email greetings? Well, add charity into the mix. Ferrero has partnered with Share Our Strength to donate $150,000 this year. Also if you go to Share Something Sweet and then use the “send something sweet” to send a free greeting and Ferrero with donate $1 up to $10,000. Or you can join the “Ferrero Lovers Unite” Facebook group to have another $1 donated (up to $1,000).

If you need a little more fun, there is a chocolate personality test at Share Something Sweet!

What are you still doing here? Go have a little chocolate fun ans raise money for a great charity!

(FRN Post)

life, TV

I Am Totally Stealing That!

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My kids have always wanted to do a pinata but we don’t have any trees in our yard. So we haven’t. Well, NerdDad and I are laptopping it and watching 17 Kids and Counting and now we know how we are going to do pinatas. The Duggars were hanging them down over the second floor banister. We are so going to do that!

Food

Top Chef 12/3

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As we get closer to Christmas life is crazy but it makes a Top Chef break all the more enjoyable.

Only 1 member of Team Rainbow left, awww.

Quickfire Challenge:
The guest judge is Rocco Dispirito. It looks as if it is the breakfast challenge. They need to create a breakfast amuse-bouche. They have 30 minutes and Rocco recommends they use bacon! It looks like time ran out on a few of them. There are a lot of bacon and egg dish. They did ding some of the chefs that they didn’t actually do breakfast and an amuse-bouche (which is only 1 bite). The bottom was Daniel with his cornflake crusted zucchini flower (to sweet) and Fabio with his brioche with brulee banana and espresso shot (to desserty). The top was Stefan with his huevos rancheros in the egg, Leah with her perfect bit of bacon quail egg and cheese, and Jamie with her bacon egg and cheese. The winner was Leah. She got a copy of Rocco’s new book.

Elimination Challenge:

The chefs had to create a dish for a 2 1/2 minute presentation for a live tv segment. Then they will also do their presentations 1 at a time for the judges in the kitchen. They have $100 and 30 minutes to shop.

I was impresses that 3 of the chefs asked to cut their own meat behind the counter. At least then they can have complete ownership of the product they produce. Alex picks a dessert and I think that is a great choice for tv because people always want to make a cool fancy dessert. As someone who has done quite a few cooking demos for Pampered Chef (I understand that it is low level cooking) I am entertained how they are trying to figure out how to do the demo. Leah seems to be planning on needing her immunity. Daniel and Jamie seem to have tv experience so we will see if that helps them. Daniel says he lights up in front of the camera. I don’t know about that.

Ariane – Beefsteak Tomato Salad with Watermelon and Feta
Eugene – Tuna Sashimi and Pea Shoot Salad
Hosea – Crispy Ahi Tuna Rolls with Wasabi Peas
Fabio – Tuna with Roasted Carrots and Asparagus Salad
Leah – Duck Breast with Corn and Blueberry Hash
Jamie – Salad with Duck Egg, Bacon and Caviar
Melissa – Blackened Habenero Shrimp
Alex – Rose Infused Creme Brulee
Jeff – Malfouf Roll with Shrimp and Muhammara Rice
Daniel – Ginger Soy Skirt Steak and Cabbage Salad
Stefan – Minestrone Soup with Pancetta and Herbs
Carla – Tortilla Soup
Radhika – Sweet Shrimp and Cucumber Salad

Then we started the demos for the judges. Ariane seemed to get through the presentation pretty smoothly.
Jamie’s white on her duck egg didn’t set up during the demo.
Alex didn’t finish in time, the judges didn’t like is and he didn’t finish his demo on time.
Jeff used odd ingredients and crazy names.
Daniel had a lot of smoke with his steak but it was good. He was also very personable.
Stefan was uming out the door but he was ready for a swap out so that was a good sign.
I was shocked that Melissa’s shrimp were so spicy that Tom had to spit it out.
Then Carla, Radhika and Leah ran out of time. Then Leah said bad words;).

Judges:

Of course they talked about Jamie’s raw egg. They also mentioned that Leah didn’t have any confidence and it is good she had immunity. Alex just didn’t think it out. Carla kind of made Rocco uncomfortable. Tom didn’t like that Daniel smoked out the studio and the mugging was bad. They thought that Stefan did well but his personality didn’t gell. They thought Jeff did well and pulled it together. Fabio was a ball and they liked Ariane. The bottom was Melissa, Alex and Jamie. The top three were Fabio, Jeff and Ariane. Then they sent them home and said that they would see them in the morning at Judges Table.

Alex is getting married in a month and seems to possibly ready to go. So Melissa is getting ready to fight for her life.

The next morning at 2am Chef Tom showed up and woke up the top three. He was sending them to the Today show to have hosts judge the winner live on tv. Jeff is pissed that he has to serve his food to these ladies with unsophisticated palates at 6:35am. Wasn’t he told to think of the home chef? If that is the problem he has no one to blame but himself.

Radhika was a good sport watching them on tv. Poor Ariane, Merideth hates watermelon. Poor Fabio couldn’t understand the chaos. They seemed puzzled by Jeff’s and then Kathy Lee had to go spit it out. Ariane won!!!! The guys were a little pissed.

Judges Table:

Ariane won about 2 dozen of Rocco’s favorite tools and she will be presenting a dish on the Today show the day after the episode airs. Her resturant is right out side of NY. Can you imagine the bump it is getting regardless of her winning or even going a week farther?

Then it was the bottom’s turn. When Padma asked how Melissa thought it went. Well, she shocked me because she thought it was just a little to spicy for some people. They all slammed her that.

Jamie realized that her egg was raw. Tom recommended next time that she should flip the egg.

Alex said the whole point of the competition was to push yourself. I love the fact the Tom pointed out that the point was to win. Tom also pointed out that a creme brulee was impossible to do in an hour to begin with.

The judges don’t like that Melissa defended her spice level. Rocco really didn’t like Jamie’s because she recoiled at the end when she failed.

In the end Alex was out!

So what did you all think? Let me know and I will see you next week.

FRN, gift worthy, kids

Polliwalks Review and Giveaway!!!

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My 5 year old NerdPie has some new favorite shoes, her new new Polliwalk kitty shoes in lilac! She is also looking forward to wearing the new Fish Lip shoes more in the spring and summer!

Now it probably isn’t a surprise that I was a bit critical when I opened my box of Polliwalks to review them. Usually you have to choose between really cute things and really well made but not this time. These shoes are well made, out of a waterproof molded soft foam. The company is enviromentally conscious using recycled material and these shoes are completely vegan.
On the practical side they are really well fitting. NerdPie thinks the faux fur in the Kitty’s are so soft on the inside that she doesn’t want to wear socks with them. They are also washable. No, I don’t just mean that you can use the hose on them but the shoes with out the faux fur can go into the washer on gentle. Just don’t put them in the dryer! Another cool thing is that the brand new Fish Lips have a detachable back strap so if you have a kid that needs it (like mine) you can just put them on. Then if you need them with out (like for the pool) just pop it back off.

Not only do these shoes have the cute little faces but when the kids walk on something that takes a footprint it leaves the cutest little footprints of whatever animal you have on your shoe. This is the one of the most unique thing about these shoes.

Polliwalks has been smart in their over all plan because they have Polliwalks for all seasons. They have the fuzzy faux fur that are great indoor/outdoor slippers or just run around shoes. They also have pull ons that have a tightening cord and they also boots. Then the new shoes for spring and summer rock. Right now they are only available at Dillards and Zappos but the cool Fish Lips (the lips change color in the sun) and the Firefly (tail lights up with movement) will be available through other retailers in the spring.

Win it!

How would you like to win a pair of Polliwalks (choices are limited to Puppy, Kitty, Gator, Duck, Frog and Ladybug) for your little one?
To enter:

* Stop by the Polliwalks before Wednesday December 10th and check out the cool shoes they have.
* Then come back and mention in comments which of the shoe choices are your favorite. That’s it!
* A random winner will be selected and notified on Dec 11th.
* The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

* Subscribe to my feed.
* Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here and to Polliwalks.

This giveaway is open to addresses within the US. Please leave a way to contact you in case you win.

(This is a FRN post)

Books, FRN, gift worthy

You Can Call Me Hoppa!

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I have just read the cutest book that would make an awesome gift for a new grandparent! You Can Call Me Hoppa! The Grandparents’ Guide to Choosing a Name that Fits is all about finding a special name for each grandparent that fits them like a glove. Lauren Charpio does a great job of listing various traditional and non-traditional names for both grandmothers and grandfathers. This book helps to address the fact that grandparents are all different ages, ethnicities and even in different amounts per family (we have 8 in ours) with the names but also with sweet little anecdotes. And at 50 pages it is a great gift book because it has an inscription page, grandparent name tree, and a page to place the chosen names.

So it boils down to I love this book! Not only do I plan on giving it as a gift, I am planning on using it myself. We have Grandma “so and so” and Grandpa “so and so”. I much prefer to have a sweet personal name for each! So go get this book for any first time grandparent in your life!

(This is a Family Review Network review!)