Hello, I am here with my sister, Nerdpud, and we are here to share our 5 favorite Netflix TV shows. These are split up and have a little info without spoiling anything. In no specific order, Continue reading 5 Favorite Netflix Kid Shows to Binge!
Category Archives: kids
My thoughts on Impressionism
Haystacks, Morning, Éragny, 1899
Oil on canvas; 25 x 31 1/2 in. (63.5 x 80 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Bequest of Douglas Dillon, 2003
I read Impressionism by Eyewitness Art but this is what I think about Impressionism.
Many decades ago, social changes inspired different artists around the world, such as Degas, Sisley, Caillebotte, and Pissaro to rise up and rebel against old, tame styles of painting under the name impressionists. Those men and woman started painting in bold new styles. They painted everything: landscapes, cafes, dancers, and more! I wish I could give a simple explanation, but of simplicity, Impressionism eludes. The wild and bold creations this group come up with, from paintings, portraits, models and more. These radical creations earned this group many sponsors, such as George Charpentier, Paul Gachet, Ernest Hoschede, and many more people. Many people liked these creations. Some of the more famous creations are Music in the Tuileness, The Cradle, Paris, a rainy day, and Pissarro’s letter sketch. And today, there are thousands of impressionists out there, painting the world their way.
I think of Impressionism was a newer, more lifelike style of painting and making sculptures. It looks, to me, as though it makes everything look more natural. I have seem some impressionist pieces and they look for life-like than other art pieces. One of them I thought was a picture instead of a painting! Some Impressionism art is lewd, and inappropriate, but some of all art can be inappropriate. Overall, I think Impressionism is a nice change from classical art.
Impressionism is a change of pace, and I suggest everyone gives it a chance. Sayonara!
Minecraft Halloween Update!!!
We are going into Halloween, and Minecraft is coming with us! To get to the Halloween Update on the PC, follow these steps:
- Open Minecraft launcher
- In the bottom left, you will see Edit Profile
- Click use latest version and save
- Click Play!
- Make new world.
The Following is a list of new mods (Some of which are in 1.10.2)
- Llama: Basically a horse that looks different. It can hold a chest but not a saddle. I consider them transport mods.
- Evoker: An evil villager. Can summon a line of jaws and the new Vex mob.
- Vex: Little blue faeries with swords and wings.
- Stray: A revamped Skeleton with new clothes and white eyes. They are very creepy!
- Husk: A gray zombie that doesn’t burn up!
- Vindicator: Minecraft’s ax murderer.
- Skeleton Horse: A skinless horse that often causes lightning. (Erie lightning too) Unrideable.
- Zombie Horse: A horse that is back from beyond the grave! (Insert spooky music here) Unrideable.
- Skulker: 1 1/2 block tall and shoots you with bullets that make you fly. (play “I beleive I can Fly”)
- Polar Bear: Neutral mob that drops fish.
The following are now able to be spawned:
- Mule
- Donkey
- Zombie villager
The following blocks are new (As of 1.10.2)
- End rod: Fence-like bricks that can be placed horizontally.
- Chorus: A plant in the end that can be crafted into:
- Purpur Stairs
- Purpur Columns
- Purpur slabs
- Purpur blocks
- Chorus root: A chorus generator that can only be placed in the end. Can not float.
- Magma Block: A glowing brick that deals fire damage.
- Skulker box: a block that can hold stuff.
- Bone brick: A brick made of bone.
- Red Nether Brick: Now in red!
- Nether Wart Block: It looks like blood.
- End Column: 4 bricks all in one! (Some call it fashion, I call it waste of blocks)
- Observer: An observer is placed against a block, observing the block.
The following can now be placed:
- Ender Dragon Skull.
- End Crystal.
Using this information, go forth, craft great things, and have a Happy Halloween!
10 Math Card Games
It isn’t shocking that math skills are built by repetition. It is also well known facts that we remember having fun and if we are learning at the same time, we remember that too! In that spirit here are some fun math games to play with your kids! All you need is a standard deck of cards. You will have learning and quality time! Can’t beat that!
1) Multiplication Math War: Flip cards and who ever yells out the multiplication fact first wins the cards!
2) Guess my number: Basically 20 questions. Are you a factor of 10? Are you higher than 3?
3) Make the highest number: Deal out 4 cards. Who ever can make the highest total (using addition or multiplication) wins.
4) Go Fish Add Up/Subtract Down: This is great for preschool kids. If you have a four you could ask for a 5 or a 3. Teaches number order.
5) Largest pile: Come up with a total goal (say 20) then deal out cards evenly among the players and who ever can get to 20 with the largest amount of cards wins. You can chose addition and/or subtraction.
6) Addition Math War: Flip cards and who ever yells out the addition fact first wins the cards.
7) Factor Family: Deal out 5 cards and the first person who can make a factoring relationship with all 5 wins. Say you get a 2, 3, 5, 10 and 6. You could go obvious and say 1800 (all multiplied together) or go a bit smoother with 60. 10 time 6 is 60 and 5, 3, and 2 are factors. The lowest number wins because that is the best factoring relationship.
8) Skip Series Rummy: Like regular rummy but instead of runs (1,2,3) or groups of 3 you are looking for skip runs (2, 4, 6, or 1, 3, 5).
9) Sum 10 memory: Instead of looking for boring pairs you are looking for pairs that add up to 10.
10) Make up a math sentence: You are dealt a card. You must make up a math sentence that results in that number. Round 2 is to deal out 2 cards. 1 card is the answer to the math question and 1 is in it.
This is part of the 10 Days of Nerdy Fun!!! Make sure you hop over to see what other great post of nerdy fun that will be shared!
Gifts that Grow Intelligence When You #GiftSmart
Gifts, gifts, gifts. While it isn’t what Christmas is truly about, it is a large component of celebrating the season. But I don’t want to just give gifts that just fill the docket of being gifts, instead I want to give gifts that equip, enlighten, or are useful in a fun way (no appliances or towels here;). So I was really stoked when I was approached to write about the #GiftSmart campaign at RadioShack!
I have to declare right out that RadioShack holds a special place in my heart. It has always been the source of components and geek toys long before I had ever heard of any other stores selling geek things! I also credit RadioShack for my wonderful marriage but that is another story for another day;). And I am happy to say that RadioShack is still known for great STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) gifts, along with fabulous geek gifts. And I received 2 of them this year!!!
The STEM gift I received from RadioShack was the LittleBits Synth kit. Have kids who like building things? Circuitry? Electronics? Regardless of the answer they will love this! This kit comes with everything you will need (including detailed instructions) to build 10 projects, with some components being shared;). A naturally geeky kid with jump right in and start assembling. Kids who haven’t really been exposed to STEM or just not actively interested in wiring everything in the world will love this kit. Why? They are going to make musical instruments! You get an instant payoff with every project and the more projects they build, the more they learn! And the pieces just snap together so you don’t have to actually do real technical wiring.
LittleBits is also a great tradition to start. You can buy more kits and combine them to do more and more things! And if you are looking for 1 gift to give a family with children, it is a winner.
I also got to check out the AUVIO Bluetooth Portable Speaker. Of course it is geeky, fun, and very useful so it ticks all the marks for me! This is a great bluetooth speaker and so flexible. It is large enough to produce a great sound yet so light and portable. You can use it so many ways too. I like to watch tv on a computer and while the display is phenomenal, sometimes my sound needs a little help! Having this speaker sitting and charging on my bookshelf means I can just pop it on! At the same time it is usable in the car, on the beach, or in your bathroom while you are having a nice relaxing bubble bath! This is that gift that you might not buy for yourself but you would use a ton if it is given to you! That is the perfect intersection!
RadioShack has a ton of other STEM and geek presents that are just waiting for you to pick up at your nearest location or online! Thanks so much to RadioShack for compensating me for this post and having some great products for gifts this year!
I leave you with Weird Al;).
Geeky Cereal
Remember the days of toys and prizes in your cereal? Come on, I am not that old. You have to remember? Ok, remember your parents talking about it then;)? Well, for a limited time General Mills is bringing it back in a fabulous and geeky way!
For a limited time (until April, 2014;) General Mills is putting 4 limited edition Justice League comics in boxes of their cereal! And on the back of the boxes are cardboard costume pieces that the kids can cut out. There is even a 5th Justice League comic book that is only available at Target stores.
My kids love cereal to begin with. It is a special treat we do once or twice a week. And of course I have comic book lovers for children too! (ok, I and my husband are comic book lovers too) And don’t worry, the comic books aren’t swimming among the cereal. There is no racing to the end of the box. The comic books are in a plastic bag next to the bag of cereal. These are real comic books too, not some super short promotional drivel that doesn’t have a plot. My kids (and I) totally love them!
So if you are a cereal eating, comic book family make sure that you run out and get a few boxes while there are still limited edition comic books to be had!
I rarely, ok never, include the actual press releases I get from companies but this was so cute that I have too.
(Disclosure: I received samples to review. All thoughts are mine.)
Adorable and Free Baby Leggings
Ok, there is nothing much cuter than those little baby leggings! It is the perfect thing to protect little crawling knees and keep them clean. They are a great gift or need for your own babies! And they have never been more affordable! Right now you can go to Baby Leggings and get 5 pairs for free!
All you have to do is go to Baby Leggings and click ‘shop now’. After you add 5 pairs to your shopping bag just enter ENBABY and all you will pay is shipping & handling. That is it!
Even if you don’t have a baby get some! They are great gifts.
(Yes, there are affiliate links in this post. It helps to support this site!)
Staycations Around the Country
I hope everyone saw my post on 10 Staycation Outings for here in Fresno. But I do realize that not all of you are not in Fresno (as much as I wish you were;). That is why I participated in a huge round up of staycation adventures from all around the country!!!
Mid Atlantic
NW (or all), Connecticut :: Parenting Miracles
Boston (or all), Massachusetts :: Maven of Savin
Central, New Jersey :: Our Good LIfe
Adirondak Mountains and Central, New York :: For This Season
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York :: Ann’s Entitled Life
Syracuse, New York :: I am THAT lady
Erie, Pennsylvania :: Growing Kids Ministry
Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania :: Family Balance Sheet
Hershey, Pennsylvania :: Good Deal Mama
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania :: Beyond the Cover
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania :: The Coupon “High”
Poconos, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains
Scranton, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains
Midwest
Des Moines, Iowa :: Make the best of everything
Aurora, Illinois :: A Savings WOW!
Central, Illinois :: The Homeschool Scientist
Chicago, Illinois :: Chicagoland Homeschool Network
Naperville, Illinois :: The Sensible Mom
Schaumburg, Illinois :: Ravings By Rae
Fort Wayne, Indiana :: Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana (Metro Area) :: In Good Cents
Muncie, Indiana (Central IN) :: the daisyhead
Northern Indiana :: So Dough Savvy
Kansas City Area :: Kansas City Mamas
Metro Detroit, Michigan :: Saving Dollars and Sense
Grand Rapids, Michigan :: Give Me Neither
Oakland County, Michigan :: Bargain Shopper Mom
Minneapolis, Minnesota :: Creative Couponing
Rural Minnesota (either Southern our Lake Country) :: Mommysavers.com
St. Cloud, Minnesota :: Frugal Finders
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas :: Kosher on a Budget
Springfield, Missouri :: Getting Freedom
Cincinnati, Ohio :: Family Friendly Cincinnati
Columbus, Ohio :: Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio :: Savings Lifestyle: Dayton
Mansfield, Ohio :: The Traveling Praters
NE Ohio :: Raising Lifelong Learners
Northeast Ohio (Canton, Akron, Cleveland) :: Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
Black Hills, South Dakota :: Little House Living
South Dakota :: Moms Mustard Seeds
Oshkosh, Wisconsin :: Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom
Mountain
Phoenix, Arizona :: Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona :: Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona :: Desert Chica Ramblings
Colorado Springs, Colorado :: The Greenbacks Gal
Denver, Colorado :: Bargain Blessings
Helena, Montana :: The WiC Project
Omaha, Nebraska :: Mom Endeavors
Reno, Nevada – Lake Tahoe (Northern Nevada) :: Saving in Nevada
Pacific
Fresno, California (Central Valley) :: NerdFamily Blog
Los Angeles, California :: Savings.com
San Diego, California :: Good Cheap Eats
San Diego, California :: Life as MOM
Portland, Oregon :: Frugal Living NW
Seattle, Washington :: Thrifty NW Mom
South Atlantic
Arkansas :: Discovering Arkansas
Washington, DC :: Kidventurous
Clearwater Beach, Florida :: Bargain Briana
Jacksonville, Florida :: Saving The Family Money
Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers area) :: Chaos Is Bliss
St. Augustine, Florida :: Simply St. Augustine
Tallahassee, Florida :: SwagGrabber
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: Hodgepodge
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: The Couponing Couple
Annapolis, Maryland :: The Happy Housewife
Hagerstown, Maryland :: Cheryl Pitt
Asheville, North Carolina :: Paradise Praises
Charlotte, North Carolina :: from our front porch lookin’ in…
Raleigh/Southeastern, North Carolina :: Upside Down Homeschooling
Upstate South Carolina :: The Tween & Me
Charlottesville, Virginia :: How to Have it All
Richmond, Virginia :: Teachers of Good Things
Smithfield, Virginia :: Walking in High Cotton
Virginia Beach, Virginia :: The Coupon Challenge
South Central
Coastal Alabama :: Meet Penny
Huntsville, Alabama :: The Traveling Praters
Northern Kentucky :: Simply Sherryl
Chattanooga, Tennessee :: Living Chic on the Cheap
East Tennessee (Smoky Mountains, Knoxville) :: Finding Joy on the Journey
Nashville, Tennessee :: Montessori Tidbits
Arlington, Texas :: Grocery Shop For FREE
Austin, Texas (Hill Country) :: Ponder the Path
College Station, Texas :: How to Homeschool My Child
Dallas, Texas :: Surviving The Stores
East Dallas, Texas :: Funky Faith Girl
Fort Worth, Texas :: Coupons & Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas :: MomsToolbox
Houston, Texas :: MyLitter
Katy, Texas :: Moms Confession
McAllen, Texas (Rio Grande Valley) :: iLoveMy5Kids
San Antonio, Texas :: Melissa’s Bargains
Eco Princess Shampoo and Conditioner Review
We recently got a chance to review Eco Princess Shampoo and Conditioner with my 2 little girls.
I admit it. I usually use one of those 3 in 1’s on the girls just like I do on my boys. Which means we also use a lot of detangler;).
I was very excited to try this mom created product. I sent my girls in with these new products and they giggled with excitement all the way. I have to say that I was impressed with their hair when they came out! Not only did I not have to use any detangler, there was no build up. Normally, my 9 year old has issues with build up. But with this we had none of that! Her hair was light and manageable! Of course it all smelled so good! But it wasn’t perfumey at all. There citrus essential oils that I am sure help it work but also lightly fragrance it.
All the Ecoprincess products are sulfate-free, paraben-free, vegan, toxin-free, and cruelty-free. You can get these products online! I loved them and recommend them!
This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received items from Eco Princess for the purpose of this review.
Spring Break Fun
I was trying to figure out what I was talking about this week on my TV spot for next week. The producer on the show suggested great travel things to do during Spring Break. I had to think about it and then had to confess, we do not and will not vacation during Spring Break;).
If you are a home body like we are you can still find plenty to do over Spring Break!!! Some things are just fun but they all have an element of learning!
1) Visit the library!!! No, not just to check out books but do that while you are there;). Almost every library system has activities for all ages! The Fresno County Library system always has great shows and activities. All you have to do is look on the website and see which branch is doing what when.
2) Get some great books! Ok, we love to read here in the NerdFamily and I cold go on forever extolling the virtues of it. But seriously, get a book with a great story and put on a play with it!!! It helps kids to learn how to fully comprehend the plot line when they are going to stage it in a little production!
3) Have a day of paper airplane creation! Not only is it a great way to use up scratch paper, it is all science!! As they figure out how to manipulate the wings, nose and body they are learning the science of aerodynamics!
4) Color some carnations! Get light colored or white carnations. Then place then in glasses of water that you have added food coloring to. Ask the kids what they think will happen and wait. Not only will you have custom spring flowers, you will also see the capillaries at work!
5) Go cloud watching! You can use this handy cloud deciphering tool that Full of Great Ideas made to go with it. Not only can you make up stories and characters in the clouds but they are learning actual earth science. We learned cloud types in the classroom and due to that I can never remember which one it which;). By learning cloud types in the wild (so to speak) it will be in everyone’s memory for ever!
6) Go to your local zoo! My kids love the Fresno Chaffee Zoo! You see the animals, learn quite a bit and get some exercise!
Of course you should also cook with your kids, watch movies and sing songs too! But hopefully these 6 are a good start!