Archives for 2014

K5 Learning Online Reading and Math Program

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Looking for an online Reading and Math Program for your children K-5?  Do you homeschool or maybe you are looking for an enrichment supplement. You may want to check out K5! We received a free trial and what I like the best is there are free assessments to see where your child is at academically. My son is starting 6th this year and so he honestly wasn’t very motivated to try this out for more than a few times. I did check it out though and I like how it is set up and I do believe that other children will enjoy it. I like that kids are able to work at their own level and pace and it seems to be a very personalized program. I could honestly see how it would help kids with study habits and help them with their reading and math skills. You really should check out K5!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

THE BRIDESMAIDS by Eimear Lynch

I am a member of the #BirchboxBookClub which means I receive books to read and review. During the mid summer I received a fun, warm-hearted read called The Bridesmaids by Eimear Lynch.  I truly enjoyed reading all the different stories of being a bridesmaid. After interviewing nearly 80 women (and men), five-time bridesmaid Eimear Lynch presents a hilarious, touching, and wise oral history of the modern wedding experience. Some of the stories are just so funny! In THE BRIDESMAIDS, meet Princess Diana’s bridesmaid who struggled to carry the 25-foot train, a bridesmaid who was kicked out of the wedding party after missing the third bridal shower, a daughter who watched her mother remarry, and one of the most shocking bridesmaids Lynch met: The Burning Man Bridesmaid. This is a fun Must-Read!

Self Disclosure: I am a #BirchboxBookClub reviewer and received this book for free. Any opinions expressed are honest and truthful.

Halloween Time Family Media Day!

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This past Saturday, my family had the opportunity to attend  a Halloween Time Family Media Day at our favorite amusement parks…Disneyland and California Adventure! I love Halloween time there with the Halloween decor and family friendly fun! This time of the year, Jack Skellington takes over the Haunted Mansion and he also was part of the Halloween Time Family Media Day Party! We loved the photo opportunities with characters such as Mickey, Minnie and Jack!  There was also fun dancing games for the kids and tasty treats!

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We also hit both parks and went on too many rides to count! It was a hot day but Disneyland is always a fun place to be! One of our favorite rides of the day was the Halloween Mansion. We just love when Jack Skellington takes it over every Halloween! We ended our fantastic night with a bang…fireworks of course and Pineapple Dole Whips!

 

Self Disclosure: I received an invite to the Halloween Time Family Media Day but any opinions expressed are honest and my own. Photos: SoCal City Kids.

Mama Yoga and the Story of Namaste by Susanna Stratford

Mama Yoga cover

Seattle-based yoga teacher Susanna Stratford has written Mama Yoga and the Story of Namaste–an enchanting, colorful and fun-filled children’s picture book that encourages children and their parents to get up and move, stretch and build strong bodies and develop sweet minds together.

 

Kids can grab your grown-up and join Mama Yoga for a Playful Family Yoga Class!  Intended for children ages 5-9 and one adult per child.  Have a blast moving your bodies into yoga poses.  You’ll glide from calm to silly and back to calm with a yoga story, partner poses, surprises, meditation, and a peaceful rest at the end.  No yoga experience necessary, but loads of fun and bonding guaranteed!

 

Mama Yoga and the Story of Namaste is both a fun picture book and a resource guide for parents, teachers and kids. Get Up! Move!

We received a copy to review and love the bright colorful pictures and that it really shows how to do fun yoga poses! It truly is a great resource for parents, teachers and children!

For more information visit www.mamayogaskids.com

 

Self Disclosure: We received a free book to facilitate this feature.

Cool Gel N Cap

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Looking for a way to soothe your children’s headaches or a bump on the head? This seems to be a great solution! I like the Cool Gel N Cap because it is a natural and easy way to soothe a young child’s fever. My son is a little too old for this..he is 11 and didn’t want to try this cute Bunny(Tulip) out but we did try on a younger nephew and he really likes it! It is also reusable and washable and so much less messy then dripping ice and washcloths. This is a Must-Have and I highly recommend! We all know how ice can sometimes sting on skin and this also solves that problem. You can find out more on the website. It is also available on Amazon.com. I would recommend for ages 1-8, but may be fine for some older children too. What a creative and unique first aid cap for children!

We have teamed up for a Giveaway! One winner will win their own Cool Gel N Cap! To enter, simply leave a comment below on why you would like to win! Deadline to enter is October 10, 2014 at noon PST. One winner will randomly be selected voa Random.org.

 
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

MICHAELS CHALLENGES CUSTOMERS TO “TRICK YOUR PUMPKIN”

Michaels (Nasdaq: MIK), North America’s leading arts and crafts store, will kick off the Halloween season with its annual in store Great Pumpkin Event and the launch of its “Trick Your Pumpkin” sweepstakes on Saturday, Oct. 4.

 

Every Friday Oct. 10 – 31, Michaels will award a $250 Michaels gift card and gift basket of Plaid® products to a randomly selected customer who creates a pumpkin craft. To enter, customers can simply post a photo of their pumpkin on Instagram with #TrickYourPumpkin and #sweepstakes, or at www.michaels.com/trickyourpumpkin, starting Oct. 4.

 

“With our Trick Your Pumpkin sweepstakes, we’re looking for imaginative designs that take Halloween pumpkins to a new level,” said Michaels Vice President – Digital and Media Marketing Anthony Price. “Our customers never fail to amaze and impress us with their creativity and skills, and those who need a little inspiration to get started can find all kinds of ideas on Michaels.com.”

 

Top pumpkin entries will be highlighted on Michaels’ social pages. Customers also can embellish their pumpkins fromnoon to 3 p.m. on Oct. 4 during the Great Pumpkin Event at all U.S. Michaels stores. With the purchase of a 9-inch Celebrate It® craft pumpkin for $6, customers get to use free supplies and tools to decorate it right in the Michaels craft room.

 

Official rules for the Trick Your Pumpkin sweepstakes are at www.michaels.com/pumpkinrules.

 

About The Michaels Companies, Inc.

The Michaels Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: MIK), is North America’s largest specialty retailer of arts and crafts. As of August 2, 2014, the company owns and operates 1,147 Michaels stores in 49 U.S. states and Canada and 117 Aaron Brothers stores, and produces 11 exclusive private brands including Recollections®, Studio Decor®, Bead Landing®, Creatology®, Ashland®, Celebrate It®, ArtMinds®, Artist’s Loft®, Craft Smart®, Loops & Threads® and Imagin8®. Visitwww.michaels.com for additional information.

 

 

Face The World With New CARMEX® COLD SORE TREATMENT

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Carma Laboratories, Inc., the maker of Carmex® lip balm products, announced today the launch of NEW Carmex® Cold Sore Treatment, the only over-the-counter cold sore treatment that works on contact to block pain and itch with 10% Benzocaine, while also minimizing the appearance of a sore.1 This breakthrough product features TriPLEX™ Formula advanced technology, which combines three different optical brightener and filler technologies that each provide unique appearance minimizing benefits.2

 

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), the virus that causes cold sores, infects more than half of the U.S. population by the time they reach their 20s. The majority of these sufferers acknowledge that a cold sore can be painful especially as it blisters and forms a crusty scab.3Furthermore, according to a 2013 survey conducted by Ipsos, a global independent market research company, over 550 cold sore sufferers reported that beyond physical symptoms there are also emotional side effects of cold sores.4

 

The two biggest physical complaints respondents described were pain, which likely reminds them that the cold sore is there, and the appearance of the sore itself, which can lead to the sufferer feeling isolated and self-conscious. These unsightly sores can make the sufferer feel helpless, as outbreaks are unpredictable and always seem to happen at the most inopportune times.

 

The combination of the three technologies found in TriPLEX™ Formula advanced technology allows this new formulation to provide cold sore appearance softening benefits. The first technology bends light as it approaches the cold sore, the second technology helps fill in unevenness of the cold sore, and the third technology helps correct the skin tone of the cold sore. The formula also contains a blend of silicone elastomers, commonly used in high-end skincare products, to give the product a smooth, silky feel.

 

While no product can cure a cold sore (as in remove the virus from one’s system), this breakthrough treatment can help sufferers feel more comfortable, confident and empowered to face the world. Carmex® Cold Sore Treatment has a MSRP of $14.99 (0.07 oz. tube) and can be purchased at drugstores and mass market retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit: www.carmexcoldsore.com.

I received a sample to try out and I haven’t actually had a cold sore to try this out on! I do really like this brand though and am relieved to have it on hand for the next time I have a cold sore! I like that it is a brand that I know I can trust.

 

 

About Carmex® and Carma Laboratories, Inc.:
For more than 77 years, Milwaukee-based Carma Laboratories, Inc., has manufactured Carmex brand lip balms. Carma Laboratories, Inc. is a family owned and operated business that was founded in 1937 by Alfred Woelbing, the inventor of Carmex lip balm. Today, the company continues to produce its original lip care formula in its trademark jars, and has expanded the line to include flavored lip balms, ultra hydrating lip care formulas and soothing skin care products. The carefully crafted lip balm has been #1 pharmacist-recommended for 16 years in a row.5

 Self Disclosure: I received a sample to try out but have not yet needed to use it. I do feel comfortable with recommending this product to my readers. Photo Credit/Press info: Carmex.

 

1 When used to help conceal. Individual results may vary.

  For treatment of symptoms associated with cold sores. Product does not treat viral infections. Use as directed.

2 Carma Laboratories Data on File

3 http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/july2008/07142008herpes.htm

4Ipsos Study Screener.  July 25 – 30, 2013

51999-2014 Pharmacy Times Survey of Pharmacists’ OTC Recommendations

“MONSTOBER,”

 

 

SNEEZY, DOC, DOPEY, LORD STARCHBOTTOM, GRUMPY, HAPPY SLEEPY

Photo: JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES – “Jake The Wolf” – When Jake turns into a wolf after disregarding a warning, his pirate pals must find a cure. This episode of “Jake and the Never Land Pirates” airs Friday, October 10 (8:30 AM ET/PT), on Disney Channel. (Disney Junior)
CUBBY, SKULLY, IZZY, JAKE.

Includes Premieres of “Phineas and Ferb” One-Hour Episode,

Mystery Adventure Special “Evermoor,”

Crossover Episode of “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web-Warriors” and Cast of “Jessie” —

 

A month of Halloween-themed episodes of popular series will form a mega “Monstober,” Disney Channel’s annual programming event for kids and families.

 

Beginning THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2,  “Austin & Ally” stars Raini Rodriguez and Calum Worthy return as “Monstober” hosts to deliver this year’s highlights, which include the premiere of the mystery-adventure special “Evermoor,” a one-hour episode of “Phineas and Ferb,” and an animated version of the “Jessie” cast in a crossover episode of “Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web-Warriors.” Disney Channel series “Girl Meets World,” “Jessie,” “Dog With A Blog,” “Liv and Maddie,” “Austin & Ally” and “I Didn’t Do It,” along with Disney Television Animation’s “Mickey Mouse,” “Gravity Falls” and “Wander Over Yonder,” will also premiere all-new episodes.

 

Disney Junior programming block will present new Halloween-themed episodes of the award-winning series “Sofia the First,” “Doc McStuffins,” and “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” beginning FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3.

 

Fan-favorite Halloween movies will air throughout the month, including “Girl vs. Monster,” “Toy Story of Terror,” “The Little Vampire,” “Halloweentown,” “Twitches,” and the Monstober movie premieres of “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Casper,” “The Pirate Fairy,” “Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?” and more.

 

Disney XD will also host all-new Halloween-themed episodes of its popular animated and live-action shows, including “Lab Rats,” “Mighty Med,” “The 7D,” “Marvel’s Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H,” “Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja” and the upcoming new series “Kirby Buckets,” beginning FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17.

 

(Editors please note: images and clips are available on www.Disneychannelmedianet.com)

 

Disney Channel’s “Monstober” schedule is as follows (all times ET/PT):

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2

 

8:00 p.m. – “Dog With A Blog”

“Howloween 2: The Final Reckoning” – When Ellen and Bennett overhear Stan talking, the kids go to great lengths to convince their parents the house is haunted to help keep Stan’s secret.

TV-G

 

8:25 p.m. – “Mickey Mouse” Cartoon Short

“The Boiler Room” – Mickey’s attempts to fix the plumbing in Minnie’s apartment building are foiled by a monster living in her boiler room.

TV-G

 

8:30 p.m. “Girl Meets World”

“Girl Meets World: Of Terror” – The kids face a trilogy of terror when Riley has a sleepover at Maya’s with her Gammy Hart and pet ferret. Auggie confronts the monster under his bed and Farkle tackles his most terrifying fear yet – playing softball.

Guest starring Charlotte Rae (“Facts of Life”) as Gammy Hart and Michael D. Roberts as Coach Gleason

TV-G

 

9:00 p.m. “Jessie”

“The Runaway Bride of Frankenstein” – As the Ross kids prepare for the Halloween Festival, the festivities take a scary turn when Brooks proposes to Jessie and she learns that none of the kids like him.

Guest starring Pierson Fode as Brooks

TV-G

 

Friday, October 3:

 

8:30 a.m. “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”

“Pirate Ghost Story” – Jake and his crew help ghost pirate Treasure Tooth reunite with his ghostly pirate gal, Peg-Leg Peg.

Guest starring legendary comedic actors Carl Reiner (“The Dick Van Dyke Show”) and Estelle Harris (“Toy Story”) as Treasure Tooth and Peg-Leg Peg.

 

“Queen Izzy Bella” – Izzy magically transforms into legendary pirate adventurer Queen Isabella and embarks on a quest to uncover treasure in Never Land’s Valley of Ice.

TV-Y

 

9:00 a.m. “Sofia the First”

“Ghostly Gala” – Sofia tries to keep a ghost from ruining her Halloween party.

TV-Y

 

9:30 a.m. “Doc McStuffins”

“Hide and Eek” – While pretending to be mad scientists, Donny and Alma create a toy monster which all the other toys are afraid of until they get to know him and see that he’s not so scary after all.

TV-Y

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

 

8:00 p.m. “Phineas and Ferb” One-Hour Episode

“Night of the Living Pharmacists”In this “Night of the Living Dead”-inspired special, Doofenshmirtz’s latest “-inator” accidentally turns the citizens of Danville into contagious Doof-zombies who run rampant all over town. Agent P and the kids must work together to save Danville and avoid becoming Doof-zombies themselves.

Guest starring are Simon Pegg and Nick Frost as Shaun and Ed, respectively, and George Romero (“Night of the Living Dead”) as reporter Don Adaded. Noah Wyle (“Falling Skies,” “ER”) and Bella Thorne (“Blended,” “Shake It Up!”) also lend their voices to the special. Reprising their roles are Ariel Winter (“Modern Family,” “Sofia the First”) as Fireside Girl Gretchen and Cloris Leachman (“Dancing with the Stars,” “Mary Tyler Moore”) as Mrs. Feyersied. 

TV-G

 

9:00 p.m. “Gravity Falls”  

“Little Gift Shop of Horrors” – In three separate mysterious tales, Stan is cursed by a Witch,  Waddles accidentally eats a bowl of brain-enhancing jelly and builds a machine that allows him to speak for the first time, and Mabel faces her fear of Claymotion.

Guest starring is astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (“Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey”) as “smart” Waddles.

TV-Y7

 

9:30 p.m. “Wander Over Yonder”

“The Gift ll: The Giftening”Mysterious gifts start popping up on Lord Hater’s ship, zombie-fying each recipient with gratitude. Hater and Peepers try to escape the creeping terror delivering these gifts.

TV-Y7

 

Sunday, October 5:

 

8:00 p.m. – “Austin & Ally”

“Horror Stories & Halloween Scares” – When a power outage leaves the four friends locked in Sonic Boom overnight on Halloween, they pass the time by seeing who can tell the scariest ghost story.

TV-G

 

8:30 p.m. – “Liv and Maddie”

“Helgaween-A-Rooney” – The Rooney’s Halloween celebration takes an unexpected turn when a magic amulet turns twins Liv and Maddie into triplets, and their sister is the frightening Helga. Meanwhile, Joey and Parker use the amulet to clone themselves.

TV-G

 

9:00 p.m. – “I Didn’t Do It”

“Next of Pumpkin” – Garrett is ready to meet his secret crush at the Holla!-Ween fest, but his disco ball costume winds up getting him stuck belly up in a corn maze. Meanwhile, Delia has grown a 10-foot pumpkin in hopes of beating her arch nemesis Great Granny Wrinkles for the biggest pumpkin award.

TV-G

 

Friday, October 10

 

8:30 a.m. – “Jake and the Never Land Pirates”

“Jake the Wolf” – When Jake turns into a wolf after disregarding a warning, his pirate pals must find a cure.

 

“Witch Hook” – Captain Hook is turned into a witch by the Sea Witch’s Magic Mirror.

Tiffani Thiessen recurs as Misty the Wonderful Witch

TV-Y

 

9:30 p.m.“Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man: Web-Warriors”

“Halloween Night at the Museum” – The cast of “Jessie” gets animated in this special crossover episode that finds the Manhattan nanny in possession of a medieval sword coveted by the infamous Morgan Le Fey. Jessie and Spider-Man team up to save Halloween and the world from Le Fay’s evil plans.

Guest stars include Grey DeLisle as Morgan Le Fay and the cast of “Jessie” voicing their animated characters, including Debby Ryan as Jessie Prescott, Peyton List as Emma Ross, Karan Brar as Ravi Ross, Cameron Boyce as Luke Ross and Skai Jackson as Zuri Ross.

TV-Y7-FV

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13

10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. – Marathon featuring encore presentations of Halloween-themed episodes and movies.

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17

9:00 p.m. – “Evermoor” Special (Chapter 1 & 2)

The mystery adventure special “Evermoor” follows Tara Crossley, an American teen and aspiring mystery writer who, along with her newly-blended family, has just moved into an old family mansion in Evermoor, a beautiful but isolated village in the middle of England. In Chapters 1 & 2, a series of mysterious incidents unfold at Evermoor Manor when Tara discovers a magical typewriter and an ancient tapestry that holds the power to predict the future. The inquisitive and impulsive teen soon finds herself at odds with the formidable Esmerelda Dwyer, who is determined to get rid of the Crossley family.

TV-G

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24

9:00 p.m. “Evermoor” Special (Chapter 3 & 4)

In Chapters 3 & 4, Tara and her step-brother Seb team up to solve the mystery of the tapestry that predicts the future and save their family and Evermoor Manor from the sinister Esmerelda.

TV-G

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31:

2:00 p.m.10:30 p.m. – Marathon featuring encore presentations of Halloween-themed episodes and movies.

BALJEET, PHINEAS, FERB, BUFORD, DR. DOOFENSHMIRTZ

 Photo above: 

PHINEAS & FERB – “Night of the Living Pharmacists” – In this “Night of the Living Dead”-inspired special, Doofenshmirtz’s latest “-inator” accidentally turns the citizens of Danville into contagious Doof-zombies who run rampant all over town. Agent P and the kids must work together to save Danville and avoid becoming Doof-zombies themselves. This episode of “Phineas and Ferb” airs Saturday, October 4 (8:00 PM ET/PT), on Disney Channel. (Disney XD)
BALJEET, PHINEAS, FERB, BUFORD, DR. DOOFENSHMIRTZ

 

Credit: Disney.