Flip Out Mama

You guys probably already know, we are a video game family. It's just what we do. Even Bean, although he is only three, already has his favorite video games. So, we are always on the lookout for great new games. The most recent game that we have gotten a chance to check out is Disney's Phineas and Ferb: Quest For Cool Stuff . Now, Tater loves Phineas and Ferb, and I have to admit, as far as kid's shows go, Phineas and Ferb is one of the least annoying ones. I actually find myself watching it and enjoying it from time to time!  Tater is seven (and a half, don't you forget it!), and he really enjoyed this game. We got the version for Nintendo 3DS, and he has been taking it everywhere with him! The premise of the game is pretty self explanatory, you're on a quest for cool stuff with Phineas and Ferb! There are tons of different "levels" or "worlds" to explore, like an underwater cavern, an ancient lost temple, the moon, and more. You're on...

I don't know about you guys, but where I live, it has been a super hot summer. I feel like it is never ending, and my little old air conditioner is running at max capacity! I know that our whole A/C system needs a complete overhaul, but I really don't know where to begin. It seems to all be just so confusing to me, and I don't really know where to start.  I was doing some searching and I came across a great  HVAC Contractor Dallas TX , who offered up some great advice. First of all, you should make sure to always choose a contractor who is fully licensed and certified like Aramendia. If you don't know where to start (like me!) you can let Aramendia's tech team perform a free home energy check and a free initial inspection. Then, a customized plan can be made for your home! This is exactly what I need, a little bit of guidance, and someone to tell me what is the best thing to do!  I am not sure if it is the same everywhere, but for us,our electrici...

Now that Tater is getting older, and is into lots of building toys and games, his little brother sometimes feels left out. He can't play online games like Minecraft that his big brother can. He can't play with all of his brothers little tiny building block toys, since he'll either lose them or eat them. He really feels left out a lot of the time when Tater is busy building. But, thanks to Mega Bloks, my little guy now has his own building set to keep him busy!  We recently got the chance to review some hot new toys from Mega Bloks, and one of those toys was none other than Firetruck Finn! Firetruck Finn is an adorable firetruck building toy from Mega Bloks! It is perfect for little builders, since the blocks are bigger, and there is no worry about choking. The kit comes along with it's very own firetruck that kiddos can play with, and even a fireman figure (Finn, of course!). It also comes with thirteen First Builders blocks that are perfect for little ha...

My big guy has turned into a scientist, seemingly overnight! Ever since we started homeschooling, he has really taken an interest in science and wants to soak up anything and everything he can related to science. I am totally okay with that, since science is really interesting to me as well! We have been watching a ton of videos, reading a ton of books, and doing a ton of experiments in the last few weeks!  Now, we have received the Nancy B's Science Club Moonscope and Journa l from Educational Insights, and it just adds one more tool to our science arsenal! This moonscope is amazing, even for a grown up! I wish I had a toy like this when I was growing up! I love that it comes along with the journal as sort of a guide for what your kiddos should be doing and looking for.  Tater loves that it comes with it's own tripod, he thinks that makes him a grown up! He also loves the red LED light that the moonscope has, so he can use it at night. There really is so much that ...

My boys are super silly. Their favorite things to do are sing, dance, make crazy YouTube videos, dress up as crazy things and prance around acting silly. So, when we received the Educational Insights The Sea Squad Puppets set, I knew they were right up their alley!  These puppets come as a set of four, a clam, octopus, shark, or angler fish. They are in four different bright colors, and they are rubberized so they are easy to hold and grasp. Plus, when your brother ultimately hits you over the head with one (and he WILL!), it doesn't hurt so bad! These puppets are adorable and easy for kiddos to use, even small ones!  We have had a lot of fun playing and being silly with these puppets, but now we are ready to incorporate them into our lessons! Next week, the boys are going to write their own play and act it out with these puppets.. It is sure to be very interesting, so I am going to take a video of it and post it for you guys to see! I can't wait to see ...

We have been studying a lot about animals lately, and how all animals are the same or different. We were lucky enough to get a chance to review the GeoSafari Jr. Animal Eye Viewers from Educational Insights during this time, and they were a GREAT supplement to our lessons! These eye viewers are a set of three super cool pairs of "glasses" that show kids how different animals see!  The Insect Viewer was especially cool. I didn't know how pixelated things look through the eyes of an insect! The chameleon was also pretty cool, since both of their eyeballs rotate independently, and it's hard to keep focus. The shark viewer was by far the biggest hit however, since we had already learned a lot about sharks last year and how differently they see than us. The shark viewers even have a blue tint to them, not to mention the blind spot that all sharks have, and rearview mirrors!  These were not only a big hit with my preschooler, but also a big hit with my second...

When it came to deciding what we were going to be using for our very first year of homeschooling, I was so overwhelmed and confused. There is just SO much to choose from, so many resources out there... What would happen if I chose the wrong ones? I just found myself wishing, over and over again, that there was just a simple, straightforward website where I could get what I needed, all in one place, and at an affordable price. Enter Flash Kids !! When I got the chance to check out some products from Flash Kids, I was thrilled! Finally, just what I had been looking for!  Flash Kids offers whatever you need, a ton of educational tools and options, all in one place! The products that Flash Kids sell are great quality products, and they are fun products as well! They are designed to appeal to kids, and they are attractive and fun to look at and use!  Just take a look at these awesome products that we received from Flash Kids:  I was so excited to get these awesome wo...

Well ladies, and gentlemen, the day is finally here! Today was our very first day of homeschool EVER! I have been planning this day for a really long time, and I have been waiting for it since before my babies were ever born. I didn't know if I was going to get the chance to make it happen.  I have been so lucky this past year to be able to stay home with the boys, and have a chance to work from home and things have finally, for what is perhaps the first time in my entire life, things are falling into place.  Today was our first day, but it was kind of sort of like a "test day", I guess! We will be doing much more when everything starts up for real, but  for today, it was just a little bit of work, and a little bit of fun.. We started off by making our signs for the first day of school, one for preschool and one for second grade! We went outside and took lots of funny and silly pictures so we can remember our day!  ...