Eccentric Racing Network

Eccentric Racing Network is a fun site for children ages 8-11 years old.  This site offers a wide range of ways for your children to learn about topics such as fine art, math, technology, and physical science.  There are different video clips, with cool team members that can be found by clicking on the Race Team tab. The clips offer a neat way to teach the kids, while having fun!  While my son Caleb was watching the clips they seemed to spark an interest in each topic and lead us to more discussion about each one.  As an added bonus each racer’s film incorporates a lesson with a free downloadable lesson guide that can be found in the Learning Center.

At The Race Shop you can find an assortment of items including tee-shirts, books and family project kits that you can purchase.  I think that the items in the shop tie in great with the clips found in the Race Team. These kits look like a wonderful way to involve the whole family in the learning process.  I know that my boys would love the Big Bertha Rocket Kit that they offer.

Eccentric Racing Network is a fun site that you should check out with your children!

Disclosure: All of our reviews are honest and forthright.  We do often receive the same products that we offer to you in order to ensure that we are writing about something we have tried first hand and have experience with (thus the honest review part).

About Shana:
Shana is the mom of 3 boys and blogs @ My 3 Wisemans.

Nico & Lola Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog

Nico & Lola Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog by Meggan Hill and photography by Susan M. Graunke is a wonderful children’s book.  It is a story about a little boy named Nico and his Aunt’s little pug, Lola.  Aunt Sue has asked if Nico could watch Lola for a few days and be so kind to her.  Nico learns a lot about kindness, both giving and receiving, during Lola’s stay.

When we asked author Meggan Hill to us what inspired this book she told us… “I’m a mom.  I love to read to my kids.  It’s especially exciting to see my kids’ faces light up when I read something they love.  I wanted to do that, write to that excitement level while at the same time writing about a character trait.  The trait I chose was kindness.”

Meggan also shared with us a bit about herself and photographer Susan M. Graunke … They both “grew up surrounded by animals.  Meggan remembers daily rides on her pony Popsicle, with her dear dog Woofer following.  Susan will never forget sharing picnic lunches with her horse Lady Noney and Bumper, her pet cow.  Caring for creatures shaped who Meggan and Susan became.  This is their first book. “

I immediately feel in love with the beautiful photography.   The pictures are bright and fit perfectly with the story.  I loved that the story allowed for me to explain how to be kind in more detail after each page.  Example; “Nico would think of ways to be so kind. “   I then asked the boys how are some ways to be kind to a puppy?   I love the message within the story, of kindness and the very last line in the book is “PASS IT ON!”  What a great message to teach our children!!!

So those are the things that I enjoyed about the book, now here is what Brayden (my 6 year old) had to say about Nico & Lola:

My favorite part of the book was when Nico got the stone out of Lola’s paw.  Because that was being really nice and Nico was being helpful and kind.  I liked the nice pictures too.

To find out more about this great book, including how to buy a copy for you and your children, check out the website, http://www.nicoandlola.com/

Disclosure: All of our reviews are honest and forthright.  I received a sample of the product in order to ensure that I was writing about something I have tried first hand and have experience with (thus the honest review part).  You can read our full disclosure policy here

Ideal No Calorie Sweetener

Have you ever wanted cut back on the amount of sugar you use, but didn’t want to use artificial sweetener products?  Well, I am excited to share with you a new No Calorie Sweetener that is more than 99% natural; Ideal.

Ideal No Calorie Sweetener is made with Xylitol (made from plant material).  Xylitol has been FDA approved for over 40 years and has health benefits other sweeteners can’t claim.  It is safe for children, pregnant and nursing women and diabetics. Ideal is perfect for anyone looking to cut sugar and calories from their diet.  It also has bacteria-fighting properties and has been shown to reduce ear infections.  Unlike sugar it prevents dental cavities and reduces the buildup of plaque on teeth.

In independent university taste tests, Ideal No Calorie Sweetener was preferred over sugar for sweetness, flavor, and overall liking!  And Unlike some other sweeteners Ideal measures cup for cup like sugar and is great for baking.  I made cookies with Ideal and they were great!  Here is the recipe that I used, I found it on the back of the Ideal 10.6 oz bag.

Cinnamon Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup Ideal™ No Calorie Sweetener
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

For topping

3 Tbs Ideal™ No Calorie Sweetener
2 tsp cinnamon

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream together Ideal™ No Calorie Sweetener and butter; beat in egg and vanilla.  Sift together flour, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture and blend well until ball is formed.  Cover and refrigerate two hours or until firm enough to roll into balls.  Shape dough into small balls about 3/4 inches in diameter.  Roll balls in mixture of 3 TBS Ideal™ No Calorie Sweetener and 2 tsp cinnamon.  Set cookies on lightly greased cookie sheets; press down until 1/4 inch thick.  Bake at 350° F for 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool slightly on cookie sheets, then remove to racks to cool completely.

I also used it to sweeten lemonade and thought it tasted wonderful.  I really liked the product and would use it again.  For more information be sure to visit their website at www.idealsweet.com .

We are happy to be able to give one lucky reader a 10.6 ounce baking bag and 50 count packet box of Ideal. If you would like a chance to win all you have to do is go to www.idealsweet.com and check out the recipes.  Come back here and let us know what recipe you would love to try, by leaving a comment.  That’s it!  Couldn’t be simpler!

Extra entries…of course! Just be sure to leave a new comment for each one…

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This giveaway will end on August 26^th, is void where prohibited and is open to Continental  US addresses only.

Disclosure: All of our reviews are honest and forthright.  I received a sample of the product in order to ensure that I was writing about something I have tried first hand and have experience with (thus the honest review part).  You can read our full disclosure policy here.

Time 4 Felt

Lets face it we live in a ‘electronic’ world!  I am one of those parents that had planned on little to no TV for my kids.  Well, I am also one of those parents that didn’t follow through with that plan…:o)  With that being said I still look for toys that will stimulate my boys’ minds without being plugged into the wall.  That is why I love the felt book from time4felt.com that I was asked to do a review of.   I was sent the ‘The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Toggle Book.‘

The first thing that I noticed was the quality of the book.  It is well made and very sturdy.  It is made to hold up to little hands playing with it.  The book is constructed with bright and colorful felt.  The colors are dyed permanently onto the felt, which makes them colorfast and washable. The durable felt is tear-resistant and time4felt.com offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

This Toggle Book has 4 different activities with it.  The front has the story of “The Old Women Who Lived in a Shoe” where your child can attach five different pieces of the story.  As I told the story to my youngest son, Andrew was able to match up the pictures with the corresponding part.  Inside we had fun matching up letters and numbers.   The back of the book has a fun color game, where Andrew was able to find the clothing to match up with the right color words.

I really can’t find enough good things to say about this product.  The felt products from time4felt.com would make wonderful gifts for birthdays, holidays or just because.  You and your child are going to have countless hours of unplugged, imaginative, play time fun with these products.

The Art of Storage

Okay, I am going to be honest here; I have an issue with clothes clutter!  I will blame my issue on the fact that I don’t have any closets down stairs and only one upstairs that holds hang up clothes.  This is one of the draw backs of living in an old house.  So when I was asked to review an ‘The Vivaldi Over the Door Hook – Triple’ from The Art of Storage, I didn’t hesitate.

The Art of Storage offers products with innovative storage solutions.  Their products are affordable and easy to use.  Sleek design and high grade materials combine to make The Art of Storage line the ideal choice for bringing “art” to home storage.

I placed ‘The Vivaldi Over the Door Hook – Triple’ on the back of my bathroom door.  I have put mine and my husband’s bathrobes on it.  I love the stylish design of the hook.  The high grade powder coated silver finish blends well with any décor.  Best of all the design is not only for style it is for function as well.   The curved shape prevents “hook bulge”, so now I don’t have to worry about my clothes getting stretched out of shape. The hook fits great over my door that is no thicker than 1.5 inches.  It has been a great solution for some of my clothes clutter and at only $19.99 it is a wonderful storage product.

The Art of Storage offers an assortment of storage organization products.  The products aren’t just for fabrics and clothing.  They also have great sports equipment and garage storage items.  One of the best selling products they offer are the bike racks, which were the initial products when the line was launched.

Another great product that I want to mention is The Ravel Bedroom Valet.  It is an elegant accessory that helps keep the bedroom tidy.  This rack features a non-slip pants holder, six loops at varying heights and coin tray.  Suggested retail price is $99.99 and the item is available at www.amazon.com and www.theartofstorage.com.

The Art of Storage is offering a discount: $10 off any order of $50 or more spent at www.theartofstorage.com.The coupon code is Frog and there isn’t an expiration date.

Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine

Earth Day is Wednesday this week – April 22. So, going with the Green theme let’s talk about recycling, more specifically recycling your old cell phones. We want to share with all of you a great opportunity to give back to the community and improve the environment by donating old cell phones, batteries and accessories to the Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program.

Besides preventing another piece of electronic waste ending up in the landfills, proceeds from the program are used to provide wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

For more information about Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program click on this link: www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline

There are two convenient and easy ways to donate a phone to HopeLine:

• Drop off your phone at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store. Find the nearest store by visiting our Store Locator at www.verizonwireless.com/storelocator.
• Print our postage-paid label at www.verizonwireless.com/hopelinemailinglabel and adhere it to a box/envelope.  Please be sure to review all shipping instructions carefully and include a return address on the label.

So, while you are doing your Spring Cleaning remember pull out those unused cell phones and accessories to donate to Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program.

Centerd.com

In just a few weeks things are going to get even busier in my family of five. My oldest son will be starting his baseball season. This is nothing new, Caleb is ten, and this will be his fifth season playing. Where the “even busier” comes in is our middle son, Brayden, will be starting tee ball.

My husband has thought about taking on a head coach position. As a wife to the head coach, my job would be to make sure that there are parent volunteers to bring a drink and a snack after each game. That is where I think Froggy Reviews featured site, Center’d would come in very handy.

Center’d is the one stop site for staying organized while you plan and assemble volunteers for your next event. The site provides you with the ability to create sign-up sheets with time-slots and tasks, you can either assign task or have the volunteers sign up for what works best for them. Centre’d then keeps everyone updated with reminders and notifications though e-mail.

There are a few really cool features on Centre’d that stood out to me, including maps (via Google Maps) to help your volunteers get where they need to be and you can also put important issues up to a vote. Like where the location for your next PTO meeting is going to be.

Center’d is a great site with lots of helpful features to keep your next event, from book fairs, class parties, PTO fundraisers, or other events, running smoothly.