by Sarah | Nov 30, 2013 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Clever Girls
Up until now our Wii got most of its use from watching movies, or the teenager playing one of his games. There was only one or two games that we could all get into.
Then we got a hold of this one…Just Dance Kids 2014.
I have to admit when I first read the back I got a little excited when I saw “Make it Shine” from Victorious on there…plus a song by Ariana Grande. I’m such a closet (or not so closet anymore) Victorious lover. It’s one of the shows I miss now that we aren’t on cable. 😀
So this week we brought out the Wii for something we all could play – and play we ALL did…even the teen!!
The girls, of course, got first run and boy did they tear it up, to several songs, including “Make it Shine”.
Then it was time for Erik and I to play.
And wouldn’t you know…we did THE HUSTLE!! Â It was a laugh-riot getting Erik into the mix and doing The Hustle with me. Both of us were laughing by the time it was done, and were reluctant to return the remotes back over!
Then, with a little nudging and encouragement we actually got the teenager to play along. It was only for a game, but I know that he’d never admit how much fun he had.
The girls kept playing for another good hour before we settled down and got ready for bed. By the next day they were begging to play again…and we were all too happy to oblige. Â The game is addicting, and clean fun, and everyone enjoys playing it. Â I have a feeling the Wii will stay out of hiding for a good long while now.
As you can see, the girls LOVED it. Â They were all too happy to lend their review once I managed to get their attention away from the game!!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
by Sarah | Nov 20, 2013 | All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Learning, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Books, Clever Girls, Giveaway, Giveaway, Reviews
We LOVE reading in this house.
I mean really, REALLY love it.
The day I told the girls I had brand new books for them to read was a party and a half. They were so excited, and when we cracked open the books from the “Travels with Gannon & Wyatt” series it was all over.
I mean, it’s ANIMALS!
The girls immediately dove in and scanned for pictures first, because the pictures of the live animals (the alligator was a big hit for our little alligator), and they couldn’t wait to see every one of them.
Once they’d settled down we sat down to read.
The stories are told in journal form, with separate entries by both Gannon & Wyatt, which make for short “chapters” perfect for my ADD readers.
I also love that each of the entries start with a great learning opportunity (or 2). Â They list the location – with a longitude and latitude. Temperatures and weather listings are there too. Â These gave me and the girls some great chances to talk about what these things are, and find a map (~cough~ or a computer ~cough~) to look them all up. Of course, there’s all the animals, which my kids LOVE. Â Oh, and at the end, there’s a few pages with spots for journal entries. Â The girls are dying to take a trip to the zoo to use them!
Kennedy got to read first and eagerly dove in, and by the time she was home, she was dragging Molly over to join her.
Hearing Kennedy say words like “Botswana” and “Kalahari Dessert” at her young age, is so much fun. She’s having fun, she’s reading, and she’s learning.
Kennedy has taken a shining to the Botswana book. Â It has all the animals she loves. Elephants, alligators, rhinos and cheetah’s.
We love sitting down and devouring chapters as fast as she can.
I have a feeling these books are going to be long lasting around here, so much to read and learn, and the older they get, the more they’ll understand!
As you can see below, the girls HIGHLY recommend the books and want you to win a set of your own. (Look below the picture for how to win)
Gannon & Wyatt have a Facebook Page and a Twitter account you should really follow to keep up on their latest adventures!!
Giveaway Time!!
Entry is easy…
1. Leave a comment telling me what you love about these books and why you want them for your kid!! (required entry)
2. For an extra entry, tweet the following exactly (copy & paste should do it). ~optional extra entry
Travels with @GannonandWyatt, a review & a #Giveaway. Great books w/ learning opportunities! #GannonWyatt http://bit.ly/1ej1dZG @sadiecass
3. Pin this post using the giveaway picture & leave a comment with the link to the pin! ~optional extra entry
That’s it! Â The giveaway ends on 11/25 at 9AM. The winner will only have 24 hours to get back to me, as I must turn in your info by the 26th! Â There will be no second chances, as I have a deadline!
There is another giveaway over at my dear friend, Emily’s place if you want more chances to win, head on over there!
You should also know that Gannon & Wyatt are having a Kindle Fire Giveaway on their Facebook Page the month of November!! There’s still time to enter, so head on over!!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
by Sarah | Sep 25, 2013 | All About Kennedy, All About Learning, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Clever Girls, Sponsored
*~*
I’m the proud parent of science geeks. I was one myself.
First was Denver, who wanted to be a scientist for NASA. For years that was his dream, but he’s since moved on…
To wanting to be a doctor. I gotta say, I’m okay with that.
Now Molly is loving science since she started in science last year, and Kennedy is right behind her this year. It’s a common theme in this house – science is a favorite. From photosynthesis, to outer-space, to biology, genetics and beyond…my kids eat it all up.
*~*
Part of the reason I myself enjoy science so much is because I really hate unknowns.
I like facts.
If my kids are sick – I want to know the hows and why’s. I want specifics and details. I want to know the life expectancies, the proper medicines, the risks and complications.
It was the same way when my grandfather got sick.
As painful as facts can be, they help me cope.
*~*
So when my kids come home with light in their eyes talking about what they learned in science today, I’m all over it.
From gross bugs, to meteors, I am happy to encourage their love of science.
Because as much as I love writing and fiction and living in a world of make-believe…
I like science just as much, and sometimes even more. It’s not going to lie to me, it might make me wait for answers, but it gives me answers.
You know, science doesn’t lie – it’s made of facts.
And it makes it that much easier to fight.
*~*
Watch and learn about Nature’s Tiny Miracle: http://clvr.li/18QgDzl
Like Planters on FB
Visit Planters Power of the Peanut
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
by Sarah | Jun 28, 2013 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Clever Girls, Sponsored
We don’t road trip too often in this family.
You’d think maybe it was because the challenge of entertaining three children of various ages was tough.
Or because on her first road trip, Molly literally cried the entire 9 hour trip.
All 526 miles.
Non-stop.
Never sleeping.
Just…Crying.
You’d think that was the reason.
Or the regular stops for the bathroom.
Or the frequent cries of boredom.
Why on earth don’t they play car games like I used to?
Or maybe the gas money.
These days that one hurts.
Still, is it any of those things?
Nope…it’s…
This guy—>
The loving husband.
Molly gets her wonderful car trip joy from him.
More than an hour in the car and poor Erik struggles to remain calm.
Go over three hours and he’s in trouble.
So we have to figure out the best way to run.
Especially since road trips are so much easier than flights.
*~*
It took a bit of finagling, but we found the secret formula.
For the kids, it’s a good DVD player, and lots of movies.
The boy gets his tablet.
A huge supply of homemade trail mix.
For Erik?
Comfort and lots of space to stretch out and just fall asleep.
Even if it means three rows of seats, the teen next to me, and Erik fast asleep in the very-way-back by himself.
It’s a magic combination.
A normal care doesn’t cut it…so we’re on the lookout for something better.
We’ve got our eye on a Kia.
I like the Sedona, but Erik is anti-minivan…so he’d rather have the Sorento (and I’m apt to let him).
So long as it’s got a third seat, I’m a happy camper.
*~*
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
by Sarah | Jan 9, 2013 | All About Denver, Blogging Life, Clever Girls, Sponsored, Wells Fargo
It seems like just yesterday I was nervously trying to nibble on my lunch while figuring out a way to tell my Dad I was expecting. I remember that lunch so clearly. It had to have been yesterday.
But no, it was much longer ago. Because in two weeks time Denver turns 15.
Fifteen.
He’s on the downhill slope of his Freshman year. That means in just 2 years he’ll be seriously looking at colleges. Our conversations turn to college at least once a week already.
And I am so ill prepared. It’s pretty sad.
I knew way back in First Grade when Denver first said he wanted to be in NASA that we had college ahead of us. Â Math, science, history – everything but reading that kid loved and excelled at. Â Then when reading took hold?
The kid has been unSTOPable.
Seriously.
His dreams of NASA have turned to dreams of being a Doctor.
As much as I annoy him going all New-Yorker and talking about how my son “wants to be a Doc-tah” Â – I’m seriously, sickeningly, insanely proud of this lofty goal.
And then I think about college.
How right now our only ‘plan’ to pay for it is an Indiana’s great “21st Century Scholars” program & hopes of him reaching Eagle Scouts which could = scholarships. Which is great – if he keeps his grades up and at least for under-grad.
But medical school means many years, many dollars, and my head starts spinning.
So deep in the recesses of my mind where I keep my panic and fear deeply hidden (oh, stop laughing – I do keep it hidden, most of the time) – that large red panic button has been hit. Sirens are blaring, and I’m hearing the robot from Lost in Space “Danger, Will Robinson!”
Three years is not a lot of time to suddenly come up with a plan, and I have a ton of questions.
Wells Fargo has provided a great place for me to get some of those questions answered. Their community forums have both new parents, panicky parents like me, students – and the bonus – specialists.  I’ve been dipping my toes in the waters there and am happy to often find a topic very close to what I already have on my mind.
It’s helped ease some of the panic and the blaring siren sounds are subsiding a little.
But that darn Lost in Space robot is still swinging his arms around in circles…
*~*~*
Wells Fargo Community
What is it?
The Wells Fargo Community is an online forum where you can ask questions and share knowledge about financial topics. It’s a place to get help and help others in a convenient and safe environment.
The current focus of the community is education planning. We expect to add additional topics over time.
Who can use it?
The community is free and you don’t need to be a Wells Fargo customer to participate. In fact, you don’t even need to be a member to browse and learn from discussions. But, if you want to post your own questions or answers, we’ll ask you to sign up.
Why should you join?
The Wells Fargo Community is a great place to have conversations about your financial challenges and goals because:
- People with different backgrounds and experiences have joined the community so you can get a variety of perspectives.
- You can learn from specialists.
- We want to get you a lot of helpful and accurate information so we encourage participation from the community, review all posts, and, in many cases, chime in ourselves.
- Our community guidelines insist on constructive communications and we make sure our members are respectful.
- You can help others.
How do you get started?
Just go to WellsFargoCommunity.com. Then you can browse and search discussions to find what interests you. Your question may already be answered!
Join the community to ask your own question or reply to someone else. It only takes a few minutes to sign up and it’s free.
It’s easy to stay up-to-date with what’s important to you. If you post anything in the community, you’ll be notified when other community members reply.
Education Planning & Student Loans
Education planning has become increasingly important both due to its impact on lifetime earnings and its rising costs. Many people find the planning process confusing and the amount of information overwhelming. We want to make things simpler.
The Wells Fargo Community is dedicated to helping you understand your education planning options by:
- Bringing students, parents, college counselors, and financial advisors together so they can share their knowledge, advice, and experiences – all in one place.
- Spanning the entire college experience so you’ll find relevant conversations whether you’re preparing for college, in college, or done with college.
- Addressing key topics including saving for college, finding the right college, choosing a major, and preparing for life after college.
*~*~*
For more information about the Wells Fargo Community, please visit Wells Fargo Community’s site. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #WFCommunity #spon
by Sarah | Aug 13, 2012 | All About Denver, All About Kennedy, All About Learning, All About Molly, All of Us, Blogging Life, Clever Girls, The Teenager
School starts tomorrow for my kids. We did the school supply lists provided by the teachers. Pencils, pens, notebooks & more. Spent hours in the store fighting the crowd of other parents and realizing that the store was sold out of quite a few needed items. In the end, headaches abounded and we headed home.
Of course, that only got us the necessities the SCHOOL declared necessary.
I still had three kids to make happy. Â What makes kids happy for school? Â Getting all the clothes considered ‘cool’. Â The most important requirement for a new school year.
Which I find hilarious considering at Christmas they all sneer at the ‘clothing box’ shaped presents.  What is it about the new school year that makes buying clothes more than acceptable when any other time you dare to buy clothes you’re the devil?
Ah well, my favorite part about shopping for clothes that we don’t have to fight the stores. Â The teenager doesn’t want me to ‘help’ him shop for nothing, my girls are chaos in a store and I know their sizes.
Online I can find great deals, clothes on clearance that have been wiped out at the stores (believe me I’ve tried).
I can get ‘cool’ clothes for my kids that they pick out (like the “Awesome” shirt above – tailor made for the teens level of attitude and confidence…and the adorable dress over here -> that fits with my girls obsession with dresses, both at Old Navy).
So easy, convenient and doesn’t waste my gas driving into town for a stress filled afternoon of attempting to shop with a teen and two girls – one of whom gets over-stimulated in our backyard and is oh-so-fun when we get to crowded stores.
My kids are happy. I’m far less stressed, and saved a few bucks.
No wonder I’m addicted to the internets 😉
*~*~*
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Then we got a hold of this one…Just Dance Kids 2014.
