Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Inspire STEM Thinking With Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst: Review + Giveaway

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Disclosure: A sample was provided in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I have found a wonderful gift for kids who are creative, mechanically-inclined, problem-solvers, and/or tinkerers: A Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst.

This seemingly simple box contains all the parts a curious mind needs to make an infinite number of inventions.  Each kit contains the following:

Electric Components:

2 Electric Motors with Detachable Wires
1 Battery Pack with Switch
2 AA Batteries

Wooden Components:

1 Wooden Chassis
12 Wooden Wheels in 6 Sizes
6 Wooden Connectors in 3 Shapes

Hardware & Connectors:

2 Metal Axles
4 Metal L-Brackets
10 Small Bolts with Wing Nuts
2 Metal Springs
12 Bushings for Motor and Axle Connections
12 Rubber Bands

Tools & Supplies:

1 Pair of Safety Glasses, Child Size
3 Washable Markers
1 Large 3-Foot Wide Paper Work Surface
1 Full-Size Phillips Head Screwdriver

Storage:

1 Cloth Storage Bag
1 Clear-Top Metal Hardware Tin

Extras:

Printed Tips & Guides
10 Challenge Cards
1 Clear Challenge Card Holder
1 Safety Tips Card
1 22-Page Building Techniques Booklet

They really thought of everything when putting this kit together.  As a parent, I appreciate how everything is included (even safety glasses!) and contained in one neat box.

I like how the challenge cards can be used as a springboard to inspire young minds.  With many building toys, once you make the model to exact specifications, it loses its appeal.  With this kit, re-thinking, re-building, and tinkering is encouraged and the possibilities are truly endless.  It is recommended for ages 8 and up, and I think that is about right.  Once certain basic techniques are mastered, more difficult variations can make it challenging.  I can see that it would be engaging for older kids, teens and even adults to play with as well.

As you can see, there are so many ways the Electric Motors Catalyst can be used.  This kit is the perfect way to incorporate STEM learning at home in a way that is interesting and fun.  It is available for purchase on the Tinkering Labs website and Amazon.  Keep this kit in mind when shopping for presents this holiday season!

I am excited to announce that Tinkering Labs has generously offered to give an Electric Motors Catalyst kit to one of my readers.

 

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Food, Giveaways, Sponsored

Grab Some Gingerbread Caramel Pop Art Popcorn For Your Next Movie Night + Giveaway

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Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

This past year I have been privileged to partner with several companies in writing reviews and holding giveaways.  One of my favorite discoveries of 2018 is Pop Art Popcorn.  Earlier this year I reviewed some of their savory flavors, including Hawaiian Sea Salt with Avocado Oil, White Cheddar Jalapeno, Rosemary Truffle and Nori Sesame.  When Pop Art Snacks contacted me about trying out their Gingerbread Caramel Popcorn (which is only available during the holiday season), I did not hesitate to say yes!

I love how festive the bag is.  Tie a ribbon around it and it is ready for giving to a neighbor, friend, teacher, or anyone else that deserves a holiday treat.

D, the kids and I will definitely be munching on this popcorn during our family Christmas movie nights.  What is your favorite Christmas movie?  (Comment below!)  We have our favorites but we are always looking for more.

The Gingerbread Caramel flavor lives up to its name with distinct notes of ginger, molasses, cinnamon and clove.  It is a more complex twist on your regular caramel popcorn–so delicious!

Click here to find Pop Art Popcorn at a store near you or order it online.

I am excited to announce that Pop Art Snacks is giving away NINE bags of their Gingerbread Caramel popcorn to one lucky reader (A $45 value!).  Enough to share with friends and family this holiday season!

 

 

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Celebrations, Sponsored

Snuggle Up On The Couch With The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Review Wire Media for Netflix.

I love to watch Christmas movies with my family while we snuggle up on the couch with blankets, hot chocolate and popcorn.  In fact, I would say that watching Christmas movies is one of my all-time favorite Christmas traditions.  My family has certain movies that we like to watch every year, but we also like discovering new movies to add to our list of Christmas favorites.

The Christmas Chronicles is a new Christmas movie that is coming to Netflix on November 22 (Thanksgiving Day!).  I am excited about this movie because it is from producer Chris Columbus who did “Home Alone” (one of our Christmas movie faves) and “Harry Potter”.  The movie is about a sister and brother who devise a plan to catch Santa Claus (played by Kurt Russell) on camera but end up on a whirlwind adventure instead.  The kids must work together with Santa to save Christmas before it’s too late.

Netflix movies are so great because you can queue them up whenever the Christmas-movie-watching-mood hits.  We will definitely be putting this movie at the top of our list for our first family movie night of the season.

 

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Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Gift A Glasstic Water Bottle For The Holidays: Review + Giveaway

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Disclosure: I received a sample in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

You may recall that earlier this year I tested out the Glasstic Water Bottle and declared that it would replace the dozens of other water bottles that I had collected over the years.  Well, I am happy to report that my Glasstic is still going strong despite me carrying it nearly everywhere I go.  The lock mechanism still works to prevent spills and it has not cracked despite some accidental drops.  (Plus, there is a free lifetime warranty if it does happen to break!)

I like that the Glasstic fits nicely into my new sling daypack that I received for my birthday.

I was glad that I brought my Glasstic Water Bottle along on a warm day to The Huntington Library which I wrote about here.  This would make a thoughtful gift for the holidays (or as a gift to yourself!)

I am happy to announce a giveaway for one of my readers to win a Glasstic Water Bottle in the color of their choice.

 

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Family Field Trips, Sponsored

What is $160 Worth To You?

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Vanguard but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

What would you do if you had an extra $160 in your pocket?  My husband always reminds me that experiences are worth more than things.  With our two kids growing up so quickly, I can see that is true.  Any occasion we can go on a special family outing is a time that I cherish.

Recently our family had the opportunity to visit The Huntington Library in San Marino.  D and I have been talking about visiting this place for a long time now, but the tickets are a little pricey so we kept putting it off.  Now that we have experienced this place, I can see why it is a popular destination in Southern California.

We started out with a delicious lunch at Blue Window in the Norris Dining Terrace.  The kids had salmon rolls and D and I split a tuna poke bowl and chicken yakitori salad.  After fueling up, we were ready to do a lot of walking!

This unique water feature that greets visitors at the entrance lets you know that this not just an ordinary garden.

Visiting a library and garden might not seem too exciting for kids, but The Huntington has something for everyone.  First, we checked out the Orbit Pavillion.  When you sit inside this metal sculpture, there is a soundscape experience representing the movement of the International Space Station and 19 Earth Science satellites.  The kids thought that was pretty cool!

The Rose Garden was absolutely bursting with fragrant blooms.  We saw a lot of women in fancy hats ready to partake in high tea in the Tea Room.

The tranquil Japanese Garden had a koi fish pond and a lot of traditional Japanese design elements like this wooden bridge.

 

The Chinese Garden was also quite breathtaking.  It felt like we were in China.  Hopefully one day we can save up and do more international travel with the kids!

The Convservatory was also really interesting.  We walked through the mist in both the Rain Forest and Cloud Forest and it felt like we were in different climates.

The Children’s Garden was whimsical and had a lot of great opportunities for play.

Processed with MOLDIV

We also walked through the Library, the Huntington Art Gallery, and the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery (pictured).  The grounds are quite immense, and I know that we only saw a fraction of everything there is to see.  We will surely remember the afternoon we spent here for years to come.

That brings me back to the title of this post, which asks the question what you would do with an extra $160.  According to recent data, if you hold $10,000 in cash, you could earn about $170 in a year, at the current average yields of money market mutual funds.  In a bank savings account, you’d only make about $10.*

While $160 may not seem like a lot, over time, this can add up!  Choosing a higher-yielding cash account allows our family to do more memorable outings like this one.  D and I understand the importance of assessing our options to determine which provider fits best into our financial plan.  If you haven’t looked at your cash investments recently, ask yourself whether you are getting the most out of your cash.  Check out some of your options at Vanguard.

Disclosure:

This post is sponsored by Vanguard, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

*This illustration uses 1.69% average yield for money market mutual funds and 0.09% national average yield for bank savings, both as of 9/30/2018, according to cranedata.com and bankrate.com. These rates are not guaranteed. 

Vanguard is owned by its funds, which in turn are owned by their investors.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.  Bank deposits are guaranteed (within limits) as to principal and interest by an agency of the federal government. There may be other material differences between products that should be considered before investing.

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Book Review, Giveaways, Sponsored

Beloved Devotional for Young Women Review + Giveaway #FlyBy

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Disclosures: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Today I want to talk about a new devotional book for young women called Beloved, by Lindsay A. Franklin.  This book contains 365 one-page devotions that address many issues that young women face today regarding their identity, confidence and life goals.  Many of the devotions use the stories of girls and women in the Bible, such as Ruth, Esther, Mary and Abigail.  Each page starts out with a Bible verse at the top along with a topical devotion that relates to it.  At the bottom of each devotion there are a few lines at the bottom to record thoughts and notes.

The Bible has so much to teach us through all the stages of our lives.  As my daughter learns to have quiet times on her own, books like these will help her apply the Word to her life.  Beloved is a beautiful, compact hardbound book that would make a meaningful gift this Christmas.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Food, Sponsored

Ritter Sport Chocolate Review + Stocking Stuffer Ideas

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Disclosure: I received samples in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Finding stocking stuffers is one of my favorite parts of Christmas shopping.  I almost always include some sort of chocolate in D’s stocking.  Ritter Sport Chocolate is from Germany that I have been buying for D for several years now.  I like that their bars are hefty, are made from high quality ingredients, and include unique flavors.

I found this cardboard box at Daiso that houses seven of the full size bars perfectly.  This would make a nice gift for chocolate aficionados.

I found another container at Daiso that can house a sleeve of the mini bars.  They are so cute!

The Cornflakes flavor is my favorite.  I also really like the Butter Biscuit flavor.  I have seen a variety of flavors of Ritter Sport Chocolate at our local grocery and Target.

Thank you, Tryazon for allowing me to share samples of these fine chocolates with friends.

Happy Veterans Day–thank you to all who have served our country!

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Sponsored

Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream Coming to Southern California! + Discount

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Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.

Last week I watched the ABC Special for Mickey’s 90th birthday.  It was a fun tribute to Mickey and the legacy of Walt Disney.  The stories and characters from Disney movies have become part of all of our lives.  That is why I am excited that Disney On Ice’s newest show, “Dare to Dream” will be coming to Southern California soon!

Mickey and Minnie will be joined by many other Disney favorites.

Beauty and the Beast (my personal favorite Disney movie).

Frozen

Moana

In Southern California, this show will be taking place at:

Staples Center, Los Angeles (December 13-16, 2018)

Honda Center, Anaheim (December 19-23, 2018)

Citizens Bank Arena, Ontario (December 26-30, 2018)

Long Beach Arena, Long Beach (January 3-6, 2019)

Tickets can be purchased online here.  Save 20% on tickets by using promo code: MOM20

This would make a fun family outing during Christmas break.  Or perhaps grandparents could buy tickets to see this show with their grandkids as a Christmas present!

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Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

The Adventure Bible: Polar Exploration Edition Review + Giveaway #PolarAdventureBible #FlyBy

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My kids have owned many children’s Bibles, but the NIV Adventure Bibles have always been a favorite in our household.  These Bibles include the complete text of the NIV version, but also have pictures, infographics, maps and teaching points that are really engaging for kids.  I am excited that the NIV Adventure Bible now comes in a Polar Exploration Edition.  This Bible is perfect for kids like my son who are interested in animals.  I have always personally been a fan of penguins, so I like that there are pictures of them and other polar animals spread throughout the pages.  With Christmas fast approaching, this would make a perfect gift for the animal-loving kid in your life.

With over 9 million copies sold, the Adventure Bible brand is beloved by Christian schools, churches, and families alike. Now, the #1 Bible for kids, including all of the trusted essentials loved by parents, is available in an exciting polar exploration theme!

Ready for a frosty Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting trek through God’s Word with the NIV Adventure Bible, now in an all-new polar exploration theme! While on this arctic adventure, readers meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of facts about the Bible. And most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God.

Features of the NIV Adventure Bible, Polar Exploration Edition include:

• The same trusted Adventure Bible content in a frosty new theme

• Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes throughout make learning about the Bible even more engaging

• Life in Bible Times—Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days

• Words to Treasure—Highlights great verses to memorize

• Did You Know?—Interesting facts help you understand God’s Word and the life of faith

• People in Bible Times—Articles offer close-up looks at amazing people of the Bible

• Live It!—Hands-on activities help you apply biblical truths to your life

• Twenty polar-themed pages focus on topics such as how to know you are a Christian, famous people of the Bible, highlights of the life of Jesus, and how to pray.

• Book introductions feature arctic art and important information about each book of the Bible

• Dictionary/concordance for looking up tricky words

• Color map section to help locate places in the Bible

• Complete text of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible

The NIV Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition can be purchased here.

 

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Giveaways, Reviews, Sponsored

Hillsong Kids #CanYouBelieveIt DVD #FlyBy Review + Giveaway

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Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

With Christmas fast-approaching, I have another gift idea for kids: Hillsong Kids has recently released a DVD called Can You Believe It? This DVD features music videos featuring popular songs by Hillsong Kids along with some fun commentary.  The professional music videos artfully tell stories to go along with the lyrics with scenarios that kids can relate to.  I also appreciated how meaningful life lessons are also woven into the storylines.  Our kids like to watch DVDs on long road trips, and Can You Believe It? is a wonderful addition to any Christian DVD collection.

“Can You Believe It!? – Songs of Truth” is both a question and a challenge… a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of faith. Classic songs like “My Best Friend”, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” and “What A Beautiful Name” join brand new declarations of faith such as “As The World Shakes” & “Heaven Is Our Home”. We pray that this collection of fun and vibrant songs, help children around the world to declare biblical truths about God’s love and grace for them.

Hillsong believes that teaching children to love God and others takes place in both the home and in the church. For this reason they seek to partner with parents (the greatest teachers of all!) and with church pastors and leaders, equipping them with great resources. Through fun experiences, meaningful music and ministry that encourages kids to participate, Hillsong Kids presents Jesus Christ and His Church in a relevant way, creating moments which children will never forget.

 

 

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

 

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